2010 Nissan Frontier Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan Frontier, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1925.7%
- Powertrain (other)1520.3%
- Electrical912.2%
- Engine912.2%
- Brakes56.8%
- Driver assistance34.1%
- Fuel system34.1%
- Body & structure34.1%
- Tires & wheels22.7%
- Steering22.7%
- Seat belts11.4%
- Interior & seats11.4%
- Suspension11.4%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
See attached document for complaint.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.
TRANSMISSION FAILED, @ 133 THOUSAND MILES. COOLANT MADE ITS WAY INTO THE TRANSMISSION.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEONE SNATCHED OUT THE BATTERY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS TO TURN OVER, RIGHT AWAY, BUT THEN IT TURNS OVER AND I CAN DRIVE IT A FEW MILES BEFORE IT STALLS ON ME AGAIN, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 64,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE BABIED IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 12/2009. THE SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN THE VEHICLE GETS CONFUSED AND SHUTS OFF. IT IS ANNOYING. IT FEELS LIKE A BATTERY ISSUE AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHANGED WHAT THEY CALLED A FAULTY POSITIVE TERMINAL HOOK-UP BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE WHERE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY POWERED. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND BARELY MAKE IT HOME. I WAS NEVER IN A CRASH, BUT I DID HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE ON AN ABUTMENT THAT WAS IN A AUTOMOTIVE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 3MPH. BUT THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 DECEMBER AND I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND DROVE IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had this issue for years and unable to fix it. My solution was not to drive my truck in snowy weather. The first incident was I was driving down hill around with snow that barely started to stick. I driving around 65mph when my truck started to buck. I slowed to 30mph and my truck was still bucking. It did not stop until the weather warmed. By the next storm I was traveling around 60mph in light snow and my truck slid. I slowed to 50mph and when going uphill my truck lost control. It felt like the brakes locked. I tired to get control without pressing the brakes that did not work and when I did press the brakes it felt like my petal was already pushed down. I shifted the truck to gain control. Since then I have never drove that truck above 35 mph in snow. After a few weeks of bad weather the truck would either buck or just not move. The truck finally throw a code saying the right rear wheel speed sensor had a weak connection. I took the truck to three mechanics were they found nothing wrong and could not mimic my issue. I replaced my speed sensor myself. I was able drive the truck in snow without it bucking but the truck would still lock up the brakes and slide. I just never drove fast enough that the slide wasn't serious. After years the truck stopped driving in the snow period again. I took it to a local mechanic and a nissan dealership. Both said the connection were fine to everything but they were able to lock the brakes. I was told by both that it was the abs module and the part was on back order. I called to different dealerships and multiple told me that people have waited for 6 plus months on this part. It took me years of being car-less every winter to figure out what was wrong and to get told the part was on back order. Based on my research is this isn't uncommon. I won't be shocked if there hasn't been car accidents from this. My vehical is dangerous and I have no way to fix it before next winter.
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTERNALLY -BRAKE PETAL GOING CLOSE TO THE FLOOR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEONE SNATCHED OUT THE BATTERY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS TO TURN OVER, RIGHT AWAY, BUT THEN IT TURNS OVER AND I CAN DRIVE IT A FEW MILES BEFORE IT STALLS ON ME AGAIN, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 64,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE BABIED IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 12/2009. THE SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN THE VEHICLE GETS CONFUSED AND SHUTS OFF. IT IS ANNOYING. IT FEELS LIKE A BATTERY ISSUE AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHANGED WHAT THEY CALLED A FAULTY POSITIVE TERMINAL HOOK-UP BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE WHERE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY POWERED. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND BARELY MAKE IT HOME. I WAS NEVER IN A CRASH, BUT I DID HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE ON AN ABUTMENT THAT WAS IN A AUTOMOTIVE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 3MPH. BUT THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 DECEMBER AND I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND DROVE IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN...WHEN TIME TO GO CAR DOES NOT MOVE. COMPLAINED TO NISSAN DEALER IN 2014 AND THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FLUID...COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. FLUID WAS CHANGED AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. WILL BE TAKING IT TO ANOTHER DEALER THIS WEEK. I UNDERSTAND NISSAN HAS HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AS I HAD A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ME AS MY MILEAGE WAS 100+K. WHEN I TREADED IN MY 2005 FOR A 2010 I WAS ASSURED THAT NISSAN HAD FIXED THE DEFECT. HERE WE GO AGAIN...I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AND WAITING FOR AN OPENING IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH, I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE INTO AN OPENING AND NOTHING HAPPENED, NO FORWARD MOTION. AND THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS; ONE INVOLVED TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY STREET FROM A STOP SIGN. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE; WHEN THE DRIVE TRAIN IS UNRESPONSIVE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, PEOPLE COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. TODAY, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO HAVE THIS ANOMALY CHECKED OUT. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THE RADIATOR CRACKED, LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS BEING DONE AT NO COST TO ME, AS THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR CRACKING FOR WHICH NISSAN HAS INCREASED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY NOTIFICATION DOESN'T MENTION THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE COMPROMISED, STATING ONLY, "IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY MIGHT OCCUR AT HIGHER MILEAGES LEADING TO INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT." MY VEHICLE IS FOUR YEARS OLD AND JUST HIT 12,000 MILES. *TR
WHEN THE LOW FUEL GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON MY DAUGHTER PUT $40.00 IN GAS. HOWEVER THE GAUGE ONLY SHOWED 1/4 OF AT TANK (@$3.40 PER GAL) I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM AT THE GAS STATION PUMP. THE NEXT MORNING I STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN THE TANK FEARING I WOULD RUN OUT. I PUT AN ADDITIONAL $25.00 AND THE GAUGE NEVER MOVED. BEING A 2010 VEHICLE, THIS SHOULD NOT OF HAPPENED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A BUMPER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUMPER HE PURCHASED HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF ONE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, IT MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL POWER STEERING LINE, AND FROM THE VIBRATION, IT RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOCATION OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SEEN BEFORE OR DURING INSTALLATION, BUT ONLY WITH THE BUMPER ON, BY LOOKING THROUGH AN OPENING LESS THAN TWO INCHES, AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE, WITH A FLASH LIGHT. *JB
2010 NISSAN FRONTIER RUSTING REAR BUMPER STARTED IN DECEMBER WITH 12,000 MILES ON VEHICLE 7 MONTHS OLD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE U-JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER HAVING THE U-JOINTS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. RK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONE TRAIL AT TIRES (N/A), SIZE P265/70/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS SWITCHED OUT FOR THE SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING AND TO VISIT THE TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY ASSIST WITH 50-60% OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE COSTS. THE TIRE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,600. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ UPDATED 01/03/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60MPH AND TRUCK WILL JUST SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING
2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A BUMPER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUMPER HE PURCHASED HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF ONE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, IT MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL POWER STEERING LINE, AND FROM THE VIBRATION, IT RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOCATION OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SEEN BEFORE OR DURING INSTALLATION, BUT ONLY WITH THE BUMPER ON, BY LOOKING THROUGH AN OPENING LESS THAN TWO INCHES, AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE, WITH A FLASH LIGHT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X2 SE. VIBRATING PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR LEAF SPRING CRACKED & ONE HALF OF ONE SECTION FELL OFF OF VECHILE WHILE DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had this issue for years and unable to fix it. My solution was not to drive my truck in snowy weather. The first incident was I was driving down hill around with snow that barely started to stick. I driving around 65mph when my truck started to buck. I slowed to 30mph and my truck was still bucking. It did not stop until the weather warmed. By the next storm I was traveling around 60mph in light snow and my truck slid. I slowed to 50mph and when going uphill my truck lost control. It felt like the brakes locked. I tired to get control without pressing the brakes that did not work and when I did press the brakes it felt like my petal was already pushed down. I shifted the truck to gain control. Since then I have never drove that truck above 35 mph in snow. After a few weeks of bad weather the truck would either buck or just not move. The truck finally throw a code saying the right rear wheel speed sensor had a weak connection. I took the truck to three mechanics were they found nothing wrong and could not mimic my issue. I replaced my speed sensor myself. I was able drive the truck in snow without it bucking but the truck would still lock up the brakes and slide. I just never drove fast enough that the slide wasn't serious. After years the truck stopped driving in the snow period again. I took it to a local mechanic and a nissan dealership. Both said the connection were fine to everything but they were able to lock the brakes. I was told by both that it was the abs module and the part was on back order. I called to different dealerships and multiple told me that people have waited for 6 plus months on this part. It took me years of being car-less every winter to figure out what was wrong and to get told the part was on back order. Based on my research is this isn't uncommon. I won't be shocked if there hasn't been car accidents from this. My vehical is dangerous and I have no way to fix it before next winter.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .