2010 Nissan Cube: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (AIR BAGS), the dealer discovered that the vehicle was not equipped with a front driver's side air bag. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased as a used vehicle from Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (2175 N Hwy 67, Saint Louis, MO 63114); who had not disclosed that the vehicle was not equipped with the air bag. The Nissan dealer had ordered an air bag for the recall repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2026
“The contact owned a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH at an intersection and making a left turn, the front passenger's side near the front bumper of the vehicle collided with another vehicle. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed, with the exception of the front driver's side air bag. The contact sustained a neck injury and a gash cut on his left leg near the calf. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000(AIRBAGS). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor on the exterior and in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cracked fuel tank filler neck. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Passenger side screw and lug nuts broke half off the tire. Causing a loud noise of the tire wobbling. Tire was pushed in and holding by one screw and lug nut. Now the driver side tire did the same thing. The first time this happened the vehicle was in motion same with the second incident.”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan cube. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a location and parked. When she attempted to restart the vehicle, it would not start and a flashing orange key illuminated on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was towed to alexander nissan (10 alexander dr, muncy, pa 17756) where it was diagnosed that the emergency safety lock needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2019
“Power steering lock assembly is defective. Vehicle happened to be stationary at the time, locks the car from starting using the start button, car wont even turn over, dealer states part must be replaced. This exact same problem was addressed by a ntsb recall for 2009 - 2010 altimas and one other model but not the cube krom”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2018
“After a few years or few thousand miles, the cvt transmission may partially fail and it may not be indicated properly in the dashboard. This results in vehicle not getting enough power to drive. So, vehicle may stall in the roads or highways causing safety issues to both vehicle occupants and others in the road/highways. Stopping and restarting may not solve the issue. It could move the vehicle a bit farther but it may be at a very slower speed than the posted limits. The vehicle may produce a unique sound at times. The indication "service engine soon" comes a few days later and it is possible that the user of the car may not fully realize the condition.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2018
“Rear door doesn't open, read many similar reports. When cars are submerged into water often escaping through the trunk is the only option, not acceptable to have a faulty latch in all the earlier models.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2018
“Steering wheel does not lock. Dash lights come on, key is recognized, but sometimes engine does not start due to dead battery. Failure seems to be steering lock mechanism in unlocked position at all times causing battery to drain. Battery replaced 2 times in 9 months.alternator checks out good. Tired of being stranded!!!!car was stationary when incidents occur. Happening every other day for past 2 months.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2017
“Fuel level readings have been erratic for over 40,000 miles now. Fuel gauge will randomly show the fuel level with less than 1/4 tank left, even though the car has gone less than 100 miles after filling (while the car can travel over 300 miles on a full tank.) Then a little while later, the fuel level will appear normal. And this cycle will repeat many times before the tank is actually below 1/4 tank full, based on both mileage and the "normal" fuel level.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cube by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Nissan Cube reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Nissan Cube. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Cube problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,750 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Nissan Cube have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.