2010 Nissan Frontier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 25%of 59 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,319miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Nissan Frontier, 25% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,319 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have had the rear u joints replaced 3x on our truck and have rear axel fluid leak etc obviously the driveshaft is misaligned and eventually will fail. Also the transfer case and transfer case motor is failing. The first u joint incident happened in6/01/11 at mileage 41,638. The transfer case issue began 10/26/12 at mileage 76,380.”
NHTSA complaint #10584601, filed 2014-04, 41,638 miles“The rear axle seals are leaking. There is a service bulletin at Nissan for this issue. So this is a known issue. Rear differential fluid is leaking on the rear brakes. This will cause rear brake failure. I think there has been numerous cases of this problem. Nissan best to my knowledge will only take care of this issue if the vehicle is under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10545076, filed 2013-09, 67,000 miles“Transmission has been slipping. Happens frequently when stopped at a red light, stop sign...when time to go car does not move. Complained to Nissan dealer in 2014 and they suggested changing the fluid...could not find any problems. Fluid was changed and I am still having problems. Will be taking it to another dealer this week. I understand Nissan has had major issues with coolant leaking into transmission as I had a 2005 Nissan Frontier and this is what happened to me. Nissan would not compensate me as my mileage was 100+k. …”
NHTSA complaint #10743605, filed 2015-07, 114,000 miles“I put my 2010 Nissan Frontier truck into four wheel low to back my camper into its parking area. The parking area is located at the top of a slight incline. After backing the camper into position I placed the truck into park and left it running while I secured the camper by placing chocks behind its wheels and putting a foundation for the jack. I removed the safety chains and the hitch lock from the camper and jacked it up. As the hitch came off the truck ball the truck began to roll down the hill freely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428279, filed 2011-10, 19,232 miles“After driving a short distance to exit a parking lot and waiting for an opening in traffic on a busy four-lane road with a speed limit of 50 MPH, I hit the gas to accelerate into an opening and nothing happened, no forward motion. And there have been subsequent incidents; one involved trying to cross a busy street from a stop sign. This is a definite safety issue; when the drive train is unresponsive in such circumstances, people could be injured or killed. Today, I took my vehicle to a Nissan dealer for an oil change and to have this anomaly checked out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597204, filed 2014-06, 10,759 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10199142Jun 2, 2021VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2010 4WD NISSAN ARMADA, FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, TITAN, XTERRA; FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT Service Campaign ID # PC036 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders…
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192203Jul 2, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: * The idle seems low or the idle is rough when the A/C compressor is on or when the A/C compressor turns on. And * No other ECM DTCs are present. ACTION: Confirm…
- 10192051Oct 12, 2012Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 27% |
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 6 | 27% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 24 | 21% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 12 | 52% |
| 2019 | 7 | 25% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 6 | 14% |
| 2013 | 6 | 13% |
| 2012 | 20 | 25% |
| 2011 | 9 | 14% |
| 2010 | 15 | 25% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 54 | 40% |
| 2007 | 222 | 43% |
| 2006 | 220 | 36% |
| 2005 | 262 | 49% |
| 2004 | 13 | 20% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 14% |
| 1999 | 12 | 15% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2010 Nissan Frontier
19 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology