2010 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 59 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (31% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I took my truck in to a dealership to fix the airbag recall. I do not believe they fixed it because the airbag light is still on on my dash board. It is the only light on as this truck is low miles and regularly maintained.. I asked them and they just said, "we fixed it." However, they did not.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment where the vehicle was inspected but the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to Waxahachie Nissan (W Highway, 1900 US-287 BYP, Waxahachie, TX 75167), where the previous diagnostic test result was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2023
“I have trouble shot the airbag light I have that has been blinking for a week now. I can not figure it out. I have noticed many posts on forums about this issue. I do not have a recall. The second issue is the truck idles rough, I have also seen many forums about this issue as well.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Vehicle won't shift right. Was on highway when it wouldn't go very fast or shift. Only 5 miles from home, I took it home and checked the radiator cap, it is full of pink frothy anti freeze and oil. (milkshake)”Owner report · Power Train · May 2019
“Started my nissan up and noticed the airbag light was on, no one sitting in the passager seat, it blinks off and on all the time now. I took to dealer and they tell me that the passager seat sensor is bad to fix it is going to cost 2900.00. I drove it the day before and everything was fine”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
“Vehicle has flashing air bag light on. Dealer tells me the fix costs $2,500 dollars to repair! The vehicle has 59,757 miles on the odometer. The problem is a weight seat sensor in the passenger seat. The air bag light continues to flash when the vehicle is in motion. There has been a recall on this vehicle for the roof roll over (takata air bag sensor''?.)”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a fuel emission defect. The contact reached out to palm springs nissan (68177 kyle rd, cathedral city, ca 92234) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
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.
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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's 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.
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.
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.
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 Frontier 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 Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 59 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is air bags (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. 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.