2010 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
Known weak spot on this generation: CVT transmission (early Jatco). 3 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 19% about electrical.
Same cold-drive checks as above. A CVT cooler add-on or fluid service on record is a good sign someone was managing it.
Known problems on the 2010 Nissan Altima
CVT transmission (early Jatco) $3,000–$4,500 to fix
The first Jatco CVT generation has the same failure modes as the 2013+ cars — overheating, judder, failure — and by now most survivors are well past the extended-warranty window.
Check for: Same cold-drive checks as above. A CVT cooler add-on or fluid service on record is a good sign someone was managing it.
Basis: NHTSA complaints; Nissan CVT class actions (2007–2010 Sentra/Altima/Versa)
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2010 Nissan Altima recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Nissan Altima. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- EquipmentFire risk
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Details 10V401000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
- Body structure
IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Details 10V193000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2010. SOME OF THE FRONT SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED TO SPECIFICATION DUE TO A TOOL MAINTENANCE ERROR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
- Suspension
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Details 09V358000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
2010 Nissan Altima safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Exhaust and emissions: 2010-2012 ALTIMA; MIL ON WITH DTC P2423 NOTE: The warranty period for the front exhaust tube with catalyst (20010-ZX10A) has been extended on the Applied Vehicles if the following criteria are met: ï· - The MIL is ON and DTC P2423 is stored in the ECM.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2010 Nissan Altima safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
380 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Nissan Altima years
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
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