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2010 Nissan Frontier problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Nissan Frontier is airbags, typically around 59,757 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Frontier model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
74/100
Owner complaints
59
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
108
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
16-21mpg

The worst 2010 Nissan Frontier problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    19
  • Transmission
    15
  • Electrical
    9
  • Engine
    9
  • Brakes
    5
  • Body
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Nissan Frontier

Airbag light 11

Recalls 4

Air bags: frontalReported February 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Recall number 23V067000 · Recall details

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported September 10, 2010 · 7,948 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V401000 · Recall details

Child seat: tether: connector/clipReported August 12, 2010 · 951 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 nissan frontier king cab vehicles manufactured from june 10, 2010 through june 26, 2010. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the weld between the tether anchor and the seat gusset bracket is out-of-specification. As a result, and based on nissan's engineering judgment, the tether anchor could separate from the seat when tested under the conditions required by the standard.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the tether anchorage could separate from the vehicle seat increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in a child seat that uses the tether anchor.
Remedy
The seat gusset containing the tether anchorage will be replaced with a new one free of charge. The safety recall began on august 30, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 10V372000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported May 14, 2010 · 41,649 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 titan, armada, qx56, frontier, xterra, and pathfinder vehicles manufactured from november 19, 2009 through march 3, 2010. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications.
Risk
If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 20, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 10V208000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Nissan Frontier

Defect investigations

Transmission FailuresOpened June 11, 2012, closed October 22, 2016

On February 29, 2012 the federal safety agency received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.the federal safety agency conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

DP12004

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Nissan Frontier 108

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 108 bulletins for the 2010 Nissan Frontier

2010 Nissan Frontier fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylRWD17-1922-2319-21
4.0L 6‑cylRWD15-162017
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD14-151916-17

What 2010 Nissan Frontier owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 16, 2025 · Airbags · OH

I took my truck in to a dealership to fix the airbag recall. I do not believe they fixed it because the airbag light is still on on my dash board. It is the only light on as this truck is low miles and regularly maintained.. I asked them and they just said, "we fixed it." However, they did not.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Brakes, Wheels · CO

I have had this issue for years and unable to fix it. My solution was not to drive my truck in snowy weather. The first incident was I was driving down hill around with snow that barely started to stick. I driving around 65mph when my truck started to buck. I slowed to 30mph and my truck was still bucking. It did not stop until the weather warmed. By the next storm I was traveling around 60mph in light snow and my truck slid. I slowed to 50mph and when going uphill my truck lost control. It felt like the brakes locked. I tired to get control without pressing the brakes that did not work and when I did press the brakes it felt like my petal was already pushed down. I shifted the truck to gain control. Since then I have never drove that truck above 35 mph in snow. After a few weeks of bad weather the truck would either buck or just not move. The truck finally throw a code saying the right rear wheel speed sensor had a weak connection. I took the truck to three mechanics were they found nothing wrong and could not mimic my issue. I replaced my speed sensor myself. I was able drive the truck in snow without it bucking but the truck would still lock up the brakes and slide. I just never drove fast enough that the slide wasn't serious. After years the truck stopped driving in the snow period again. I took it to a local mechanic and a nissan dealership. Both said the connection were fine to everything but they were able to lock the brakes. I was told by both that it was the abs module and the part was on back order. I called to different dealerships and multiple told me that people have waited for 6 plus months on this part. It took me years of being car-less every winter to figure out what was wrong and to get told the part was on back order. Based on my research is this isn't uncommon. I won't be shocked if there hasn't been car accidents from this. My vehical is dangerous and I have no way to fix it before next winter.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Airbags · AZ

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Airbags · VA

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment where the vehicle was inspected but the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Airbags · OH

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Airbags · AZ

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Airbags · LA

Air bag light on and blinking I replace the crash sensor on the front of the truck and steel blinking

Filed May 2, 2023 · Engine · 79,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to Waxahachie Nissan (W Highway, 1900 US-287 BYP, Waxahachie, TX 75167), where the previous diagnostic test result was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.

Filed Jun 27, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · FL

On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2010 Nissan Frontier before you buy

Compare the 2010 Nissan Frontier

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2010 Nissan Frontier

Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Frontier, close to a typical Frontier model year.

What is the 2010 Nissan Frontier year score?

The 2010 Nissan Frontier scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Frontier: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Nissan Frontier?

Airbags, with 19 complaints, typically around 59,757 miles. Next is transmission (15).

How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?

4 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and child seat.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Nissan Frontier airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V067000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Frontier have bad airbags?

The Nissan Frontier model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (38 complaints), 2006 (26 complaints) and 2012 (23 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Frontier get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Nissan Frontier range from 16 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-19 city and 22-23 highway.

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