2010 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Nissan Frontier has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 19 complaints, and the year carries 4 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 59
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15.5 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2010 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags19 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (25%)
- Engine10 (17%)
- Electrical System9 (15%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Structure & Body4 (7%)
- Fuel System3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Other1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver's side airbag reportedly deployed without any crash or impact while driving around 60 mph, causing loss of vehicle control.
- Passenger airbag warning light stayed illuminated when the seat was occupied, with dealers unable to disable the sensor.
- Brake pedal reportedly sank to the floor with no stopping power while approaching a stop sign.
- Rear tire suddenly blew out while driving between 25 and 30 mph.
- Manual transmission clutch failed after months of intermittent burning smells noticed while backing up.
- Vehicle would not start and the ignition would not unlock with the key at very low mileage.
2010 Nissan Frontier recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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 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.
- NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
- NHTSA 10V372000Aug 12, 2010Other951 vehicles
Child seat:tether: connector/clip
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.
2010 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2010 Frontier a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 9th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Frontier years.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2010 Nissan Frontier?
- Airbags lead with 19 complaints (32% share), followed by transmission and powertrain issues with 15 complaints and engine problems with 10 complaints.
- Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Frontier, covering airbag cover cracking, a GPS unit battery overheat issue, a seat tether anchorage replacement, and a lower control link assembly defect.
- How does the 2010 Frontier compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 60 is better than the 2005-2008 Avoid years (75-100) but worse than the 2009 Good year (15) and the 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025 Best years (20, 0, 10, and 5).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Nissan Frontier?
- EPA rates the 2010 Frontier at 17 mpg combined (15.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.