Check a VIN

2010 Nissan Altima electrical complaints

Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2010 Nissan Altima electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Electrical · KY

The automatic locks aren't working. Only the front passenger and back drivers side will lock and unlock with the key fob or switches. The back passenger side will lock with the fob and switch, but it won't unlock. Drivers side has to be locked and unlocked manually.

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 99,000 miles · MO

The steering wheel lock

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · 220,000 miles · SC

When accelerating from 20mph to 40mph the rpms increase to 3rpm and the transmission hesitates to change the gear. It seems to be an issue with the TCM (transmission control module). I bought my car brand new in 2010. It has 220,000 miles on it. I did some research online and saw this us a known issue with the car. Nissan also sent out a bulletin ntb10-121b. They should recall these cars and fix the issue at their cost. Attached is the pdf of the bulletin.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 114,000 miles · CA

2010 nissan altima has an extremely dangerous safety defect that many other consumers are also experiencing, not just me. (see the federal safety agency id # 10899578). I have almost been rear-ended several times, sometimes with my small children in the car, because of this problem. The extremely dangerous safety defect is the car turns off completely while coming to stop, when stopped, and/or when accelerating from stop. All systems turn off including the ability to steer and stop. After turning off, the car will not immediately turn back on. Took the car to the dealer several time but the dealer was unable to diagnose the problem. The dealer replaced the transmission, since it had a recall and was under warranty, to see if it fixed the problem. It did not, as the vehicle turned off this morning, 8/14/18, when coming to a stop on a main city street. I was almost rear-ended because the car unexpectedly turned off and the brake lights do not seem to work when this happens. The car did not turn back on for several minutes. There needs to be an investigation and recall of this extremely dangerous safety defect.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Electrical · 24,524 miles · NJ

Vehicle was stationary. Original battery went dead in 2012, additional batteries installed in 2013, 2014, 2015 by the dealer and towed to the dealer. Aaa installed batteries in 2016 and may of 2018., I did not go back to the dealer. Dealer told me first time was due to the weather, then they told me I was not putting enough miles on my car, they installed a larger battery and this one also went dead. I did tell the dealer this was a huge safety concern for me because most of the time I travel alone both in-state and out-of state, if memory serves me correctly this is when the dealer installed a larger battery and this one also went dead. Diagnostic testing by the dealer and mechanic showed nothing but something electrical is causing so many batteries to go dead..I also told nissan USA this was a huge safety concern for me. Nissan USA told me there were no recalls which I already knew and they would not do a buyback or repair. Because out of warranty, this they had offered to check into for me, plus the dealer never offered this to me after replacing so many batteries. All I have for backup are my receipts which I didn't attach, if needed please let me know. Mechanic did tell me if battery goes dead again to give him a call and he would come to try and see if he could find what was the cause in the electrical system. This didn't happen because battery went dead on a saturday and found out when I called monday he also got married over this weekend and was on his honeymoon, but monday they had my car for 3 days. I am thankful so far my car and not gone dead when driving. Thank you.

Filed Feb 16, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 138,025 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. On multiple occasions, the air conditioning and heating unit failed to operate. The contact also stated that the dashboard disintegrated and the radio malfunctioned and failed to operate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hill nissan (6401 cypress gardens blvd, winter haven, fl 33884, (863) 299-2161) where it was diagnosed that the dashboard and the HVAC were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,025. *tt

Filed Oct 28, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 61,065 miles · MO · fire

On 9/10/17 about noon while driving on the highway, the brake light on the dash board came on, pulled to the side of the road. While looking for service phone number, smelled something burning, exited the car, and almost immediately the engine compartment and then the car was engulfed in flames.

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · NY

When the car is turned off, the steering wheel locks and the car does not turn back on. To turn the car in can take an upwards of 15 min of fighting with the wheel. We believe there is a problem with the escl.

Filed Jun 23, 2017 · Electrical · 101,224 miles · IL

Just filed complaint # 11000784. Found additional information on internet dated march 7, 2017 - "nissan altima and maxima steering lock problem will be fixed for free after the automaker announced a 'service campaign' for 243,000 model year 2009-2010 nissan altima, altima coupe, altima hybrid and maxima cars. Although not a recall, the service campaign will fix steering locks (ecls) that lock the steering wheel when the altima and maxima cars are parked and turned off. However, those steering locks have serious problems and can leave owners and their cars sitting in parking lots or driveways." "nissan has agreed to replace the steering lock with an electronic steering column box at no charge for parts and labor, a job that should take an authorized nissan dealer about an hour to complete." "the electronic steering column box will replace the escl assembly but will no longer lock the steering wheel when the car is parked and turned off. The automaker says the steering wheel locking function is not necessary because the altima and maxima are equipped with anti-theft immobilizers to help prevent theft." "if you have already paid for repairs to the steering column lock, nissan will reimburse what you spent as long as you can show proof of repairs. If those repairs were above $1,000., you'll need to show proof of ownership of the car." please add this to complaint #11000784 filed a few moments before this one.

Filed Jun 23, 2017 · Electrical · 101,224 miles · IL

Key fob is inserted in slot and all lights and guages will light up, windows go up and down, doors will lock and unlock, but when brake depressed and start push button is pressed car will not start. Battery less that 6 months old (just replaced in attempt to fix problem). Brake switch just replaced in additional attempt to fix problem. Nissan dealer in st. Louis lists this as a recall for 2010 models, dealer in marion, il says it is not. Marion dealer replaced two parts [24167-zx00j harness -sub] and [25320-jn00a switch assy-stop lamp] at cost to customer of $567. For parts and labor. Car still would not start. Dealer stated that on "tsb" they "found similar concerns" and additional parts need to be installed listed in procedure," and "confirmed power is switching at bcm but not engaging starter need to replace bcm and diag further - quoted customer $569.35 to replace bcm to fix other concern" (capitalization per dealer). I declined. Car was stationary in dealer shop. I have tried to speak with corporate nissan, but have not had any satisfaction. My personal mechanic (has masters degree in auto mechanics) says it is a recall problem with recall listed on internet in march, april and may. Date given below is repair attempt at dealer. ## VIN passed ## nissan altima 2010 ##

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 120,000 miles · TX

I have had three separate occasions where when driving the vehicle and attempting to turn into a corner the car completely shuts off and loses all power and ability to steer. The first two occasions occurred where I could simply place the car in park and restart as if nothing happened. The last occurrence 2/9/17 happened as described above was turning into an alley going less than 20mph when car just shut off. I placed the car in park and when I attempted to restart, the car turned on but when pushing the gas the car would barely accelerate. I had the car towed and the wrecker tried to drive the car onto the tow truck but was unable to get it up the bed as it didnt have any power to drive up the bed. I took it to a nissan dealership who ran diagnostics and stated that there were no codes that were identified. They stated it was running just fine, and could not reproduce the same issue. This is a huge safety hazzard as there is absolutely no notice when the car will shut off and lose power steering. This could easily be a huge accident if occurs on the freeway. I would like answers as to what is going on with the car. I have seen hundreds of other nissan owners with similar problems (all reporting that no diagnostic codes prompted during diagnosing).

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · LA

Front windows will roll down by themselves

Filed Dec 15, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Over the years ived had multiple problems with the branke and engine of my 2010 altima. The panel lights up but the engine does not crank. Pushing the ignition button only locks the brake.no warning signals either the car just dies on you ived paid over 700 everytime it needs repair, im very frustrated with my car and will never buy another nissan vehicle.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Electrical · 87,625 miles · MD

The vehicle could not start when trying to start the engine, 'the instrument panel lights up, and 'the engine does not crank, (no crank, no start), (hybrid 'ready' will not light), and 'the ignition push button is not responsive (no action occurs when the button is pressed additional times). This has happened multiple times over the last several years

Filed Jul 13, 2016 · Electrical · TN

I have numerous starting problems and the vdc,ABS, and slip light come on while driving. Sometimes it can take 4 or 5 tries until the vehicle starts with the push button start. The battery,alternator and starter have been checked and found to be in good working order. This is a safety issue as the numerous lights that come on while driving present a problem especially if the ABS system light comes on while driving.

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 12,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. While stationary, the vehicle failed to switch out of park without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be moved after being restarted several times. In addition, the door locks failed to engage until the vehicle reached 15 MPH. The contact also stated that the key fob activated by itself on numerous occasions and caused the doors to unlock and the power windows to roll down without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Electrical · 76,523 miles · CA

Takata recal. We purchased vehicle used. Our 2nd altima. Had problems about 6 months after getting the car. It wouldn't start. Brakes wouldn't even compress. Replaced battery and worked for a few weeks. Same issue continued. Cabin lights would come on, new battery but still not starting. Had starter replaced and worked for a while again. Same issue again. Get stuck in random places. Some days it starts, others it doesn't. Calling for a jum start doesn't work either. Unreliable and unstable. Called dealership, mossy nissan. They wants over $200 just for diagnostic and then could be a number of problems. Also said break harness/switch seems to be a common problem. Vdc lights also come on at random times while driving. There seems to be a common issue with these models. Nissan should handle all repair expenses. Car was stationary at all times it wouldn't start. This week is wouldn't start 3 times. Last week it was 5 times. The whole month was 17 times out of 31 days. Please recall.

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 150,000 miles · AL

The steering lock mechanism is faulty and will not let the car start. The vehicle was stationary where failure occurred. I've done research on this problem and it appears nissan extended the warranty for this part but never issued a recall so that it could be fixed. It is a safety issue that needs to be taken care of by nissan. People are being stranded because their car will not start but seems no one knows about the potential problem until they are stranded. This is an issue that nissan has admitted is a manufacturing problem. I for one will never buy a nissan again because of the poor customer service. Things break, and parts fail, but this particular issue is very very common on 2009-2011 models.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and created a glossed finish that impaired the drivers visibility while the sun was shinning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior material needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Electrical · 76,087 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle began to shake uncontrollably without warning. The failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer several times to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,087.

Filed Oct 30, 2015 · Electrical · CA

All four of door locks failed, will not lock or unlock plus 1 window failed, will not lower.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 48,594 miles · NY

When I tried to start the cay with the push button start it would not respond. I tested the battery which is only 1 year old and is in good condition. I took it to the dealership (nissan legacy) who reported that there was an issue with the brake switch and harness which need to be replaced. I have ready online that there were multiple incidents with this happening to this make and model

Filed Aug 4, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 67,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions and the ABS and vdc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle restarted after the vehicle was jumpstarted; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 58,000 miles · NY

I have a 2010 altima that has the same safety problem as has been reported on this web site and many other automotive complaint web sites many, many times (not only for this nissan product but various nissan products of earlier years). Namely, the switch that operates the brake lights fails intermittently. When it fails the brake lights won't illuminate when the driver steps on the brake. This is a rear end collision waiting to happen! Does the federal safety agency have to wait until someone is killed before requiring a manufacturer to fix a defect that both the manufacturer and the federal safety agency knew about for several years? To make matters worse, when the switch fails the anti-lock braking and traction control systems are disabled posing an additional safety risk. To make matter worse, when the switch fails the car won't start. Would you like to be stuck in a dark, deserted area at 2 o'clock in the morning when your car decided not to start? As I said before, the manufacturer has known about this problem for years. In response to the deluge of customer complaints, in november of 2010 nissan acknowledged the defect by issuing a tsb (ntb10-139) to fix the problem. It involves a different stop lamp switch and a new electrical harness. The cost to implement the tsb is borne by the customer. My dealer wants $579 to do this! In response to an overwhelming number of complaints about a serious safety issue it is time for the federal safety agency to act before someone gets killed. Nissan should be required to implement tsb ntb10-139 in all nissan products that contain the defective brake light switch at no cost to the customer. Updated 9/28/15 *ln updated 3/23/2016*js updated 12/5/2017

Filed May 17, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 55,600 miles · MD

On several occasions the vehicle has failed to start when the brake was depressed. At the present time the ABS light, slip and vdc are now illuminated after driving the car for a few minutes. It is my understanding that this is supposed to blink if there is a problem driving in wet road conditions or it is slippery. I have read numerous complaints from other owners having the same issue with the car not starting. It takes several tries in order to get the car to turnover and start. I believe that nissan needs to investigate this issue further and issue a recall for these vehicles.

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · CA

This specially ordered altima coupe 3.5 would not start on several occasions, beginning only a year or so after it was delivered to me from the factory. Each time, the brake pedal was next to impossible to depress, and the car made clicking sounds when the start push button was pressed. Several jump starts after the first time this happened, on a sunday, I decided to try replacing the battery. Because nissan's service center were not open in my area, I purchased a new battery from a retail store. When I phoned nissan's service center the following monday, I was told that because I did not bring the vehicle to them (they wanted the entire car, not just the battery, even though the nissan shop was closed), I was not entitled to a prorated refund on the old battery. Approximately 1 1/2 - 2 years later, the same problem began to happen again. After driving the vehicle for over an hour in an attempt to recharge the battery, I swung by a nissan dealer, who tested the new battery and advised that it was at about 40%. I was instructed to turn everything off, including the automatic headlights, because "all the bells and whistles drain the battery." what's the point in having automatic headlights if I have to shut them off? I have never had this problem with a vehicle before, and batteries should last longer than this, especially in a brand new car. When this first began occurring, the car had approximately 20,000 miles on it. At this time, this car has less than 35,000 miles on it. The nissan dealer who tested the battery told me this is a common problem with this model (and I see similar complaints on this website), but that nissan is not doing anything about it.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Electrical · 26,000 miles · FL

Purchased used car from infiniti dealer in fort myers florida. Three days later I was unable to get a gas gauge reading and the car would not start. I waited a minute and the car started. This has happened 6 times out of the 10 days I have owned the car. I am reading other complaints and found that other owners of the 2010 altima are having the same problem with the car not starting281. I think a car with 26,000 miles should start without a problem.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 42,657 miles · UT

The car failed to start because the brake switch and the entire harness sub failed. I had to tow away the car to the nearest nissan showroom and was charged $440 to replace harness-sub, switch assy sto, band hose plus labor. Ps: this is a known problem but nissan wont refund my money. How can a vehicle just under 50k fail for such a thing if not for a bad factory harness.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Electrical · GA

My 2010 altima had been going dead for the last 3 days. I have to get a jump a jump in the am for work and after work when I leave. I took the vehicle to an auto parts store to test the battery and was told the battery was efficient so I am puzzled as to why this has been happening. I was told it may be the alternator. Today my car wouldn't start or even take a jump from another vehicle so I was left stuck. I believe here should be a recall on this make n model for these electrical issues or at least a discount on alternator replacements at the dealership.

Filed Nov 28, 2014 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MN

Problem with battery going dead, I have read there is a fault in the bcm not being programmed properly.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2010 Nissan Altima?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history