2010 Nissan Cube Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Nissan Cube ranks 2nd worst of 6 model years, with 56 complaints and a complaint index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues (38% of complaints) and Steering (30%) lead the problem list, backed by two recalls covering airbags and fuel system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 Cube years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 56
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 26 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2010 Nissan Cube problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System21 (38%)
- Steering17 (30%)
- Airbags8 (14%)
- Engine6 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (11%)
- Fuel System4 (7%)
- Other4 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
- Structure & Body3 (5%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags sometimes fail to deploy or deploy inconsistently in low-speed crashes, including cases where only some airbags fired.
- Passenger airbag sensor can incorrectly read as off in cold morning temperatures until several miles of driving warm it up.
- Horn volume is described as too quiet to alert other drivers, cited after at least one crash.
- Transmission reportedly began whining before the vehicle stopped moving entirely.
- Tires wore out prematurely and lost pressure, with one owner reporting handling problems in high winds.
- Windshield produces a glare or sparkle effect at sunset that owners say obscures visibility.
2010 Nissan Cube recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V230000Apr 9, 2026Airbags47,928 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driverâs air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.
Risk: A driver's air bag that ruptures or detaches can strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front air bag inflator serial number, and replace the inflator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R26A1. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 14, 2026.
- NHTSA 10V330000Jul 22, 2010Fuel System46,000 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage
Nissan is recalling model year 2009-2010 nissan cube vehicles manufactured from january 30, 2009 through july 30, 2010. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." when the vehicle was rotated following a rear moving barrier crash test as required, the amount of fuel leakage exceeded the allowable limits.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will develop a special protector and attach it to the gasoline recirculation tube at the location of the filler neck connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2010 Nissan Cube fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Cube years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Nissan Cube reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 56 complaints and a complaint index of 80 for the 2010 Cube, the second-highest among the 6 model years with data, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Cube years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Cube?
- Electrical System issues account for 38% of complaints (21 total), followed by Steering at 30% (17 complaints) and Airbags at 14% (8 complaints).
- Does the 2010 Nissan Cube have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls: one for a driver's airbag inflator that may rupture or detach during deployment, and one for a fuel system issue failing to meet federal safety standard 301.
- How does the 2010 Cube compare to other years?
- The 2010 model has a complaint index of 80, worse than 2011 (60), 2012 (20), and 2014 (40), but better than 2009 (100), which is the worst year for the Cube.