2010 Nissan Xterra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Nissan Xterra logs 38 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, earning a Caution verdict and ranking 5th worst out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 60. Airbags and transmission/powertrain issues each account for 29% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 Xterra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 38
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- 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 Xterra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags11 (29%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (29%)
- Electrical System8 (21%)
- Engine6 (16%)
- Fuel System5 (13%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering feel became unstable while towing, with the vehicle shaking before the driver lost control.
- Drive shaft bolts detached, producing loud noise and violent jerking at low speed.
- Airbags failed to deploy on the driver's side during a crash while the passenger airbag did deploy.
- Fuel sending units failed, triggering the service engine light well before typical wear-out mileage.
- Rear axle seals leaked fluid onto parking brake shoes, causing the parking brake to lose holding ability.
- Vehicles showed slow acceleration and delayed gear shifts on surface streets and when entering highways.
2010 Nissan Xterra 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 10V208000May 14, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires41,649 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
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.
Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: 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.
2010 Nissan Xterra 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 Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Nissan Xterra reliable?
- NHTSA lists 38 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2010 Xterra, giving it a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict compared with other Xterra model years.
- What are the main problems with the 2010 Nissan Xterra?
- Airbags and Transmission & Powertrain each make up 29% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 21% and Engine at 16%.
- Does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls, covering airbag cover cracking, a GPS unit battery overheating risk, a suspension lower control link defect, and loose airbag fasteners.
- How does the 2010 Xterra compare to other model years?
- The 2010 model ranks 5th worst of 11 years tracked, with a complaint index of 60, better than 2005-2008 but worse than 2011 and later years, which reach Good or Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Nissan Xterra?
- EPA rates the 2010 Xterra at 17 mpg combined (15.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.