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Nissan XterraModel year report

2010 Nissan Xterra Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
81,900miles, 26 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Nissan Xterra (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2010 Nissan Xterra. The part named most often is air bags, with 11 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (11) and electrical system (8). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 35% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,900 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 96 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the sensor/control module-inactive and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I was traveling at 25 (no more than 30) MPH when another vehicle collided with mine. The other vehicle did clip the middle 1/3 and entire passenger side of my Xterra. The hood was crushed to the first third of the front passenger wheel well, transmission and radiator fluids were leaking from the SUV, grill was obliterated, front passenger headlight was crushed into the battery (that leaks due to the accident), and the front bumper was impinging the front passenger wheel from freely moving. The airbags should have deployed, but did not. The vehicle is not drivable and had to be towed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10668192, filed 2014-12, 83,800 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “My ecu on my Nissan Xterra was supposedly shorted due to a loose or damaged cable. With my initial inspection of the vehicle, the cable was not loose, yet I still had problems. The issue happened when I had parked my vehicle to run an errand. When I returned, I started up my vehicle and attempted to drive. There was no power and the engine would not accelerate over 5 MPH. Not wanting the vehicle to breakdown on a busy road, I backed up and parked the vehicle. I attempted to restart the vehicle, but this time the starter would crank, but would not turn over. …”

NHTSA complaint #10837486, filed 2016-02, 107,000 miles

Electrical system: “When outside temperature falls below 40 degrees Xterra will not start. Vehicle is stationary and not parked in a garage. Battery was replaced 11 months ago trying to fix the same problem. No other major issues with vehicle ever. Vehicle just towed yesterday dealer will not be able to diagnose until monday.”

NHTSA complaint #10936031, filed 2016-12, 160,000 miles

Fuel system: “My 2005 Xterra is having same problem as the recalled 2006 Xterra with the fuel gauge and running out of gas...but the dealership said that I would have to pay to get mine fixed costing nearly $500.00....the 2005 xterras should be included in this recall as many are having the same problems with the fuel gauge...”

NHTSA complaint #10348156, filed 2010-08, 74,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

35% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,200 and 120,000 miles.

15%0–100%10–2519%25–5012%50–7515%75–10023%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (26 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 81,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’10’12’144’164’18’204’22’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Nissan Xterra. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Xterra · sedan RWD/4WDnot rated4 / 4——3 · 25.6% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Nissan Xterra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Xterra 2WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162018$3,700
Xterra 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152117$3,950
Xterra 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152017$3,950
Xterra 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162017$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Nissan Xterra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 96 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 96 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Xterra

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151066,0000—18—Not enough data
20141068,0900—18—Not enough data
2012164,2912—18—Rising
20112454,0002—18—Rising
20103881,9004—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20091966,5503—18—Falling
200811995,0006—17Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
200755789,4681—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200678081,4603—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200584588,6843—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048459,0002—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20037272,7003—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200215780,0005—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200115065,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200021472,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Nissan Xterra model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2010 Nissan Xterra as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Nissan Xterra is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 11 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 11.

Has the 2010 Nissan Xterra been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Xterra get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Nissan Xterra (Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Nissan Xterra reported?

Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,900 miles and the middle half falls between 37,200 and 120,000 miles; 35% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.