The nissan was in a severe accident and the air bag never deployed. There were 4 people in car when the accident occured. The passenger side air bag did deploy and those two people receved injuries but not life threating. The drivers side where the air bag did not deploy caused significant injuries the driver had major spinal surgery inwhich she had to do rehabilitation to walk again for 8 months. The back seat passenger had to be air lifted to a hospital and 18 months later is still paralyzed and unable to walk. She is currently still in a rehabilitation home.
The worst 2010 Nissan Xterra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags11
- Transmission11
- Electrical8
- Engine5
- Fuel system5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags11
- Transmission11
- Electrical8
- Engine5
- Fuel system5
- Brakes4
- Body2
- Steering2
- Acceleration1
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal
- 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 drivers 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)
- 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
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- 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
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Nissan has notified the federal safety agency of a defect in certain model year 2010 frontier, pathfinder, and xterra vehicles manufactured from february 22, 2010 to march 13, 2010. On some of the potentially affected vehicles, the fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque specifications free of charge. The safety recall began on april 19, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 10V115000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Nissan Xterra
Defect investigations
Transmission Failures
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 Xterra 97
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN...
- CAN communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines
- CAN communication – network diagnostic flow chart
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
2010 Nissan Xterra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 20-21 | 17-18 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 20 | 17 |
What 2010 Nissan Xterra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldn’t have. The dealership I got the recall done at is claiming the airbag system registered “rollover conditions”. When I asked what the conditions were they told me they were unable to provide them. I am concerned either their reprogramming didn’t fix the issue or that they never actually reprogrammed it. Either way my airbags deployed when I was no where near a roll over situation and luckily no one was injured in this instance
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that he 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 stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
My air bag quit working. The light started going off. I took it to Nissan and they said I had to pay to have the light turned off before they would fix the recall. I could not afford to pay to have the light turned off. The line connecting to my transmission and radiator has failed. Transmission fluid is leaking into my radiator and coolant is leaking into my transmission. Both must be replaced. The repair shop looked up the recall and said that was why this happened. I cannot afford thousands of dollars to have this repaired. My car is 10 years old with 163k miles.
No warning lamps had my vehicle repeatedly looked at was told that my vehicle had no transmission warninfsigns was told by mechanic to replace the radiator I replaced the radiator and then the vehicle stopped running now I have transmission fluid mixed with my radiator fluid and the vehicle doesn't run at all I repeatedly took it back to the shop Tobe fixed was told igot a bad radiator yet I know it wasn't bad I contacted my insurance company everyone failed to inform me that this vehicle had aknown transmission problem by Nissan and failed to disclose it to me
This is a compliant for the well known radiator issue. Ours ruptured and ruined the transmission costing us about $6k in repairs.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra equipped with Interco Tires, Tire line: LTB-02 SST LTB, Tire Size: 31/11.5/16LT. The contact stated that the while her son was driving approximately 65 mph, a loud noise suddenly occurred. After stopping and inspecting the vehicle, the driver discovered that the front driver’s side tire had experienced tread separation. Approximately one month later the same failure occurred to the front passenger’s side tire. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
The passenger side airbag sensor broke , sensor that detects a person in the seat and engages the airbag, took it to dealer to fix and was told Nissan no longer supports that part and should go to a junk yard and pull a a seat cushion and install it myself.
Airbag light is on
The airbag light came on and steadily flashes. I live in a coastal area with high humidity and am concerned that this is a corrosion issue in the sensor
Compare the 2010 Nissan Xterra
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Questions about the 2010 Nissan Xterra
Is the 2010 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Xterra, fewer than a typical Xterra model year.
What is the 2010 Nissan Xterra year score?
The 2010 Nissan Xterra scores 79 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Xterra: 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 Xterra?
Airbags, with 11 complaints. Next is transmission (11).
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and suspension.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Nissan Xterra airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V067000, 10V115000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Xterra have bad airbags?
The Nissan Xterra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (26 complaints), 2008 (23 complaints) and 2006 (20 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Xterra get?
Official estimates for the 2010 Nissan Xterra range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-16 city and 20-21 highway.
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