KnownCarProblems2010 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan Xterra, most often about the transmission (29% of complaints, typically around 66,500 miles). It is 10th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2010 Nissan Xterra problems
Transmission
11 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
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…
Manual clutch failed without warning at freeway speed, with only 49,000 miles driven. Primary and secondary vehicle drivers have owned and driven multiple manual clutch vehicles for many years. Vehicle was purchased new and received all services from dealer. Driver was lucky to be able to get vehicle off freeway.…
Air bags
11 complaints · 29%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…
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
Electrical
8 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra. During cold temperatures, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the emc module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Intermittent stalling issue. Vehicle has 98,700 miles on it and has not had any other issues prior to this. On the first occasion the vehicle was in motion, going between 5 and 10 MPH, turning into a parking lot. The vehicle start to slow down, lost power steering and all dashboard lights were illuminated (check…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 13%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...
Engine
5 complaints · 13%I started the car to let it warm up. The manual gearshift was in neutral and the emergency brake was engaged. As I got out of the vehicle, it lurched forward and I attempted to get back into the vehicle to apply the brake. It lurched a second time before I was able to get inside. I attempted to get inside the vehicle…
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…
Brakes
4 complaints · 11%I started the car to let it warm up. The manual gearshift was in neutral and the emergency brake was engaged. As I got out of the vehicle, it lurched forward and I attempted to get back into the vehicle to apply the brake. It lurched a second time before I was able to get inside. I attempted to get inside the vehicle…
Vehicle parking brake does not hold due to rear axle seal leaking fluid contaminating parking brake shoes. Issue is covered under tsb via NHTSA item number 10033306, but Nissan will not cover under warranty despite being a safety issue.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 8%Transmission was slipping and clunking during mid-range gears while accelerating. Repaired at rapid transmissions at 3905 convoy street, san diego, ca 92111. Radiator was leaking coolant into transmission cooler contaminating transmission fluid with coolant damaging the valve body, electronics and friction materials.…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Nissan Xterra recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driverâs 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Nissan has notified NHTSA 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Transmission failures
Summary
On february 29, 2012 the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) 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.NHTSA 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 satisfa
Questions about the 2010 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (11 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); air bags (11 complaints); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 10, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is 10th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints, with 38 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.