RoadVitals

2010 Nissan Altima Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Jul 13, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 380 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Jul 13, 2023

I've owned my Ultima for approximately 9 years the dashboard is melting and cracking causing poor visibility, glares, melting dashboard with cracks causing wires to be exposed to hot heat and sun.

NHTSA ID
11532031
Incident
Mar 4, 2016
Visibility
Filed Apr 14, 2023

My dash is melting and it is so shiny that the glare on the windshield makes it almost impossible to see on a sunny day. The dash is so sticky that you can’t even clean it. And it is admitting a foul odor which makes me sick makes my nose run and makes my eyes water. I don’t have another vehicle to drive but it’s getting to where I can’t drive this one

NHTSA ID
11517154
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Visibility
Filed Nov 12, 2022

My dashboard has been melting since I purchased the vehicle last year. Dealership went out of business. It’s over $1,000 for dashboard to be replaced. I read the complaints on this website and y’all are WELL INFORMED of this issue and the safety concerns associated with it. Ditto for Nissan! A recall was issued for the previous two year models so why in the world should we have to pay for this repair out of pocket and how many complaints does it take to get y’all to do something????? I’m not sure what you’re here for if not to address issues consumers are having with their products. DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE NISSAN PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES!!!!

NHTSA ID
11493320
Incident
May 13, 2021
Visibility
Filed Nov 12, 2021

My dash is melting. Besides being a mess as I am not able to clean it, it obstructs my vision when the sun hits it and glares back at the windshield. In Georgia there are many sunny days and if I am facing the sun, my view is really bad. I have contacted several Nissan dealers in the area and not one has a way to help me. I have read about consumers winning lawsuits in Texas and Florida, but the damage is the same here in Georgia.

NHTSA ID
11440241
Incident
Nov 12, 2021
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 7, 2021

I have three issues with this car. The dash has melted, so much so I could not see out the windshield if the sun was out. The glare on the dash was blinding. I called Nissan and spoke to agent 'shelly', ID #7312915, case # 32725497 in September 2018. I took it to one Nissan dealership and they said not a manufacturing defect, but gave me a quote of $3500 to repair. Took to another Nissan dealership and they gave me another quote for a repair using a dash from the junk yard for 1/2 the price. I gave up and finally purchased a dash cover in August 2019 for around $300 from carparts.com and installed it myself. Very much a driving/safety concern! The sunroof leaks if more than a sprinkle. The back floor board stand in 3" of water. I have to take it to the dealership to have the headliner ripped out to clean the waterline from sunroof to outside (rear wheel well). I have taken it in 2-3 times at a cost of ~$150 each time. I need to go back now, but have currently duct taped the sunroof shut. The VDC and slip light, brake light and tire pressure lights are on. Have had them reset. Last time they told me to disregard the brake light. Just ignore it.

NHTSA ID
11435889
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 22, 2021

concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/cleaners do not improve or correct the issue. Also, the replacement cost and/or labor required to fix the issue is extremely limited for consumers to take on personally.

NHTSA ID
11430026
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Visibility
Filed Jul 26, 2021

The dashboard is melting and causing a large glare on the dashboard. This makes it a safety hazard to see out of the window. Nissan does not want to do anything about this but does acknowledge that it is happening.

NHTSA ID
11426512
Incident
Jul 26, 2021
Visibility
Filed Sep 8, 2020

THE MATERIAL THE DASH IS MADE FROM GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND MELTS, AND THE UPPER DASH HAS A GLARE THAT SHINES AND COMES OFF THE DASH INTO THE WINDSHIELD AREA & CAUSES A MAJOR DISTRACTION FROM THE GLARE. MY 20-YR OLD DRIVES THIS CAR AND HAS ALMOST CRASHED DUE TO THE GLARE. THE DASH NEEDS REPLACED. I TRIED A PHOTO, BUT DOES NOT SHOW THE GLARE.

NHTSA ID
11353888
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 13, 2020

VEHICLE WAS GARAGED FOR FIRST FOUR YEARS IN NEW YORK. NOW IN FLORIDA FOR 6 YRS. AND DASHBOARD IS MELTING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ON SUNNY DAYS. I FEAR HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS THE GLARE FROM THE MELTED DASHBOARD IS OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT BREATHING THESE CHEMICALS.*DT CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT HERE ANYTHING REGARDING THE COMPLAINT.*JB

NHTSA ID
11317874
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
73,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 29, 2020

IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO I NOTICED MY DASH START CHANGING. ITS STARTED HAVING SPOTS BTHAT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MELTING. I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE THAT COULD BE CLEANED. I WAS WRONG, IT JUST KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE DASH IS GOOEY AND STICKY AND NOW HAS SUCH A SHINE ON IT THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD THAT I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND COME NEAR HITTING PEDESTRIANS BECAUSE YOU JUST CANT SEE FROM THE GLARE IT CREATES,

NHTSA ID
11312235
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 17, 2019

DASHBOARD IS "MELTING." THIS IS CAUSING WINDSHIELD GLARE CREATING A VISIBILITY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
11289645
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Visibility
Filed Aug 18, 2018

THE DASH IS MELTING AND STICKY, CAUSING IT TO BE SHINY. THIS CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE, CAUSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
11120774
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATED AND THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILL NISSAN (6401 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884, (863) 299-2161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND THE HVAC WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,025. *TT *AS

NHTSA ID
11073272
Incident
Nov 21, 2017
Mileage
138,025 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING, CRACKING, AND BEGAN TO PROVIDE A GLARE WHEN THE SUN WAS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI, 12801 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT PARTS WERE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT OPENED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11064457
Incident
Jan 23, 2016
Visibility
Filed Oct 21, 2017

WHEN IN MOTION DRIVING OR WHEN STATIONARY THERE IS SOMETIMES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD THAT IS SO SEVERE THAT IT IMPAIRS ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED OVER TIME. THE DASHBOARD ITSELF IS TACKY.

NHTSA ID
11035416
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 20, 2016

THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING AND HAS PUDDLES OF TACKY RESIDUE. I LIVE IN FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FLORIDA. THE DASHBOARD IS BREAKING DOWN AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR PASSENGERS, OTHER MVA'S AND ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS AS THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN DAYLIGHT. THE TACKY SUBSTANCE CANNOT BE CLEANED. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT STICKS. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFECT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND HAS NOT BEEN CAUSED BY SOLVENTS OR CLEANERS. NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2K. NISSAN HAS ENTERED INTO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR MODEL YEARS 2008 & 2009 (SANBORN V. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA) BUT I HAVE A 2010 AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. 2010'S SHOULD BE RECALLED NOW AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION FOR THIS KNOWN AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED UNLESS THESE DASHBOARDS ARE RECALLED AND REPLACED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MOST PREVALENT IN FLORIDA BASED ON WHAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE. PLEASE GOOGLE "NISSAN ALTIMA MELTING DASHBOARD" - IT'S NOT AN UNCOMMON COMPLAINT. I'M PROVIDING 2 PICTURES TO DEMONSTRATE VISIBILITY WHEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AS WELL AS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. TRY TO LOCATE THE LICENSE PLATE ON THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, LET ALONE READ IT. NOW IMAGINE IF SOMEONE WERE TO WALK IN FRONT OF MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936499
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
25,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 15, 2016

MELTED DASHBOARD CAUSES TERRIBLE GLARE EARLIER THIS YEAR I CONTACTED NISSAN'S REGIONAL OFFICE TO EXPLAIN THAT MY CAR'S DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. THE MELTING OF THE DASHBOARD IS SO TERRIBLE IT CREATES A GLARE WHEN THE SUNLIGHT HITS IT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED IMAGES. IN ADDITION, I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE MELTING OF THE DASHBOARD IS CREATING TOXIC AIR, WHICH I AM BREATHING IN EACH TIME I USE MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN SICK ALL YEAR AND CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE THIS TO MY FAILED DASHBOARD. NISSAN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, BUT THEY WILL NOT INCUR THE CHARGES BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NISSAN QUOTED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE $2,381.43, BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO PAY THIS CONSIDERING I AM A TEACHER AND HAVE TO TUTOR TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT MANY COSTUMERS FACE THE SAME PROBLEM I DO DATING BACK TO THE 2008 MODELS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING. I HAVE CLEANED AND TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE CHANGES OR MORE IMPORTANTLY'PUT MY LIFE OR OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER BECAUSE I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD. PLEASE HELP THE COUNTLESS OTHERS AND MYSELF IN THIS SITUATION!!!

NHTSA ID
10896130
Incident
Mar 26, 2016
Mileage
51,207 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 5, 2016

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I'M DRIVING AFFECTING MY VISION.

NHTSA ID
10893642
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 13, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. THERE IS A STICKY RESIDUE ON MY DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IT IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE THE GLARE FROM THE RESIDUE HAS OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER OF NISSAN AND HAVE ONLY DRIVEN CARS FROM THE BRAND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OF MY NISSAN CARS. THEY REALLY SHOULD RECALL THE ISSUE IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID
10825983
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Visibility
Filed Nov 30, 2015

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A BAD GLARE. I CAN'T BARLEY SEE 10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY. TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY REFUSE. I EVEN OFFERED TO PAY LABOR & PARTS, BUT THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY OFF MY FIXING MY SAFETY ISSUE. HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRIVERS ARE FACING THIS PROBLEM. IT MUST COST $300 TO FIX THIS ISSUE PER VEHICLE AND IF WE DON'T SOMEONE IS GOING TO END UP HURT OR DEAD. IT WOULD BE SAD TO THINK THAT A LIFE IS LESS IMPORTANT THEN FIXING THIS ISSUE OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10807425
Incident
Aug 21, 2014
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 9, 2014

THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS MELTING. THERE IS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD NOW MAKING IT HARDER TO SEE. NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559187
Incident
Jan 8, 2013
Mileage
22,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 29, 2013

WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER ON AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE NEAR 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK ON ITS OWN THAT SUBSEQUENTLY INCREASED IN SIZE TO ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554142
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
Mileage
26,500 mi
Visibility
Filed May 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FAILED AND WOULD INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,210. RETURNED BY USPS ON 6/4/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 6/11/2013 FAILED. *KB

NHTSA ID
10511282
Incident
May 8, 2013
Mileage
34,210 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine+2 more
Filed Dec 13, 2012

ENGINE PING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT TIMES REALLY LOUD NOISE GOT WORSE THEN MORE PROBLEMS HAPPENED OVER TIME AT A STOP CAR WAS ACCELERATING LIKE IF WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME,NEXT CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP THEN LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN A FEW MPH THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND ONCE DOWN HILL THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR ALSO ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CLEAR AN INTERSECTION , I ALSO GOT VIDEO FOOTAGE OF INCIDENT ,DEALER KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CAR IS SAFE EVEN AFTER THEY SAW THE VIDEO THEY SAY THE COMPUTER SHOWS NOTHING THEN A RECORDER WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATED BY ITSELF THE RECORDER BUTTON WAS PRESSED AND THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE RECORDER WAS TAKEN OFF AND THE MAIN NISSAN COMPANY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE RECORDER WAS ACCIDENTALLY ERASED. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAD IT THIS IS MY MAIN CONCERN BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING THE DEALER IS NOT HELPING NEITHER NISSAN DIRECT AND AT THIS POINT IM CONCERNED OF MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S. *TR

NHTSA ID
10488730
Incident
Mar 11, 2011
Mileage
10,602 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 28, 2012

WHEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE FOR A BAD BATTERY, I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIP DOWN THE DOOR TRIM ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN LINES WITH THE SUNROOF. (THIS HAS BEEN OPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES SINCE WE OWNED THE VEHICLE) THEY SAID THEY CLEANED THE LINES. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE NOTICED WATER ON THE DRIVERS RIGHT SIDE CARPET. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR SERVICE. ON 28 AUG 12, I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE AND HEARD WATER IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. I CALLED OUR LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT ON 30 AUG 12. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS FOR US. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472817
Incident
Apr 11, 2012

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .