YearToAvoid

2010 Nissan Altima Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 20 steering complaints for the 2010 Nissan Altima, 5% of its 380 total complaints that year. Two crashes and six injuries are tied to this component, with a median failure mileage of 64,000 miles. No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this issue.

Steering complaints
20
5% of 380
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
64,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the electronic steering lock engaging unexpectedly, leaving the car unable to start and the steering wheel locked in place.
  • Some drivers describe the steering wheel becoming hard and resistant to turn while driving at highway speed, with one case leading to a loss of control and a crash.
  • Several complaints mention vibration felt through the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at speeds above 60 mph, sometimes linked to uneven tire wear.
  • Owners describe abnormal noises from underneath the vehicle traced to a leaking high-pressure line, worn control arms, or a failing steering gear assembly.
  • One complaint describes cracked front strut insulators causing a loud clunking noise over bumps, which the owner compared to a recall issued for similar 2009-2010 Maxima and Altima models.

When 2010 Nissan Altima steering complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 17, 2010, latest Oct 24, 2023.

2010 Nissan Altima steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2010Nov 2011Sep 2014Mar 2016Feb 2018Jul 2019
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2010 to Oct 2023; peak Sep 2014 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2010 Nissan Altima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Altima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201020 (5%)
  2. 201112 (5%)
  3. 201217 (4%)
  4. 201394 (4%)
  5. 201458 (5%)
  6. 201548 (5%)
  7. 201616 (3%)
  8. 201716 (4%)
  9. 201812 (5%)
  10. 20193 (1%)
  11. 202013 (8%)
  12. 20217 (10%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20231 (3%)
  15. 20245 (12%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2010 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 20 steering complaints for the 2010 Altima, which is 5% of the 380 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2010 Nissan Altima?
No related recalls are listed in the NHTSA data provided for this steering issue, though one owner noted a recall existed for similar 2009-2010 Maxima models with cracked strut insulators.
At what mileage do steering problems usually show up on the 2010 Altima?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2010 Altima is 64,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Are steering problems dangerous on the 2010 Altima?
NHTSA data ties 2 crashes and 6 injuries to steering complaints on the 2010 Altima, including at least one case where the driver reported losing control at 60 mph.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.