YearToAvoid

2010 Nissan Maxima Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 14 Maxima years

The 2010 Nissan Maxima ranks worst of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 275 complaints, mostly Steering (158) and Electrical System (81) issues. NHTSA lists no recalls for this year, but it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Maxima years.

Complaints
275
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
7 / 2
Injuries / deaths
11 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy

Top 2010 Nissan Maxima problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering158 (57%)
  2. Electrical System81 (29%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (11%)
  4. Engine30 (11%)
  5. Other27 (10%)
  6. Structure & Body18 (7%)
  7. Airbags15 (5%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain15 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers8 (3%)
  10. Brakes7 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front and side-impact crashes, even with significant vehicle damage.
  • Owners describe an electrical fire that started while the car was parked and unattended overnight.
  • Some drivers report the gas pedal stopped responding while brakes stayed functional, with dashboard lights flashing on afterward.
  • Strut housings reportedly cracked, leaving the car feeling unstable while driving.
  • Headlights were described as poorly illuminated at night or in rural areas despite dealer inspections finding no fault.
  • One owner reported the engine unexpectedly racing to about 2000 rpm while trying to stop the car.
2010 Nissan Maxima complaints: complaints filed per quarter572010 Q12011 Q32013 Q42015 Q22016 Q42018 Q22020 Q22022 Q2
392 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2024 Q1; peak 2014 Q4 (57).

2010 Nissan Maxima recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2010 Nissan Maxima fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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 Maxima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid100275022
2011Avoid85106022
2012Avoid77107022

All Nissan Maxima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Maxima has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this 14-year dataset and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Maxima years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Nissan Maxima?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 158 complaints, or 57% of all complaints filed for this year.
Does the 2010 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2010 Maxima, despite it having the highest complaint volume among all model years covered.
How does the 2010 Maxima compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 100, the 2010 Maxima ranks worse than every other year in the dataset, including 2011 (85) and 2012 (77), while 2022 scores just 23 and carries a Best verdict.
Were airbags a safety issue in the 2010 Maxima?
NHTSA data shows 15 airbag-related complaints tied to 5 crashes, with owners reporting airbags that failed to deploy during collisions.

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.