CSR

Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2010 Nissan Xterra

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

38

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Nissan Xterra have filed 38 safety complaints with NHTSA between August 2010 and November 2024. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 11 of them (29%). The typical failure was reported at 81,900 miles, the median across the 26 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

23V067000 · February 10, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The 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 North America, Inc. · up to 404,690 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

10V401000 · September 10, 2010

The defect
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.
The risk
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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 NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 7,948 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

10V208000 · May 14, 2010

The defect
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.
The risk
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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. · up to 41,649 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

10V115000 · March 24, 2010

The defect
NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 4,038 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Transmission Failures

DP12004

Closed defect petition · opened June 11, 2012 · closed October 22, 2016

the power train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 38.

AIR BAGS 11 29%
POWER TRAIN 11 29%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 21%
ENGINE 4 11%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2 5%
STEERING 2 5%
STRUCTURE 2 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 4.

2010 2014 2024
2010 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

THE NISSAN WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY AND THOSE TWO PEOPLE RECEVED INJURIES BUT NOT LIFE THREATING. THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES THE DRIVER HAD MAJOR SPINAL SURGERY INWHICH SHE HAD TO DO REHABILITATION TO WALK AGAIN FOR 8 MONTHS. THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER HAD TO BE AIR LIFTED TO A HOSPITAL AND 18 MONTHS LATER IS STILL PARALYZED AND UNABLE TO WALK. SHE IS CURRENTLY STILL IN A REHABILITATION HOME.

NHTSA complaint 11625141. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

1 injured · crash · 200 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH PULLING A SMALL TRAILER HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL CAUSING THE TRAILER TO ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING BEFORE HE LOST CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS ABNORMAL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BUT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE BAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AT FAULT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA complaint 10353302. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 37,200 miles

I STARTED THE CAR TO LET IT WARM UP. THE MANUAL GEARSHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND I ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED A SECOND TIME BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET INSIDE. I ATTEMPTED TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DUE TO THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD AGAIN.. ON THE THIRD "LURCH" IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD, HITTING MY MOTHER'S PARKED CAR AND PUSHING IT BACK APPROXIMATELY 3-4 FEET INTO THE BACK WALL OF HER CARPORT. FINALLY, THE ENGINE DIED AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BACK IT AWAY FROM MY MOTHER'S CAR, AND ASSESS THE DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint 10559437, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

crash · 83,800 miles

I WAS TRAVELING AT 25 (NO MORE THAN 30) MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH MINE. THE OTHER VEHICLE DID CLIP THE MIDDLE 1/3 AND ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY XTERRA. THE HOOD WAS CRUSHED TO THE FIRST THIRD OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL, TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS WERE LEAKING FROM THE SUV, GRILL WAS OBLITERATED, FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS CRUSHED INTO THE BATTERY (THAT LEAKS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT), AND THE FRONT BUMPER WAS IMPINGING THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FROM FREELY MOVING. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE SEVERITY OF IMPACT SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AIRBAG

NHTSA complaint 10668192, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldn’t have. The dealership I got the recall done at is claiming the airbag system registered “rollover conditions”. When I asked what the conditions were they told me they were unable to provide them. I am concerned either their reprogramming didn’t fix the issue or that they never actually reprogrammed it. Either way my airbags deployed when I was no where near a roll over situation and luckily no one was injured in this instance

NHTSA complaint 11614259. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that he 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 stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint 11513049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
My air bag quit working. The light started going off. I took it to Nissan and they said I had to pay to have the light turned off before they would fix the recall. I could not afford to pay to have the light turned off. The line connecting to my transmission and radiator has failed. Transmission fluid is leaking into my radiator and coolant is leaking into my transmission. Both must be replaced. The repair shop looked up the recall and said that was why this happened. I cannot afford thousands of dollars to have this repaired. My car is 10 years old with 163k miles.

NHTSA complaint 11469853. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
No warning lamps had my vehicle repeatedly looked at was told that my vehicle had no transmission warninfsigns was told by mechanic to replace the radiator I replaced the radiator and then the vehicle stopped running now I have transmission fluid mixed with my radiator fluid and the vehicle doesn't run at all I repeatedly took it back to the shop Tobe fixed was told igot a bad radiator yet I know it wasn't bad I contacted my insurance company everyone failed to inform me that this vehicle had aknown transmission problem by Nissan and failed to disclose it to me

NHTSA complaint 11468804. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
THIS IS A COMPLIANT FOR THE WELL KNOWN RADIATOR ISSUE. OURS RUPTURED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION COSTING US ABOUT $6K IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint 11436618. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Xterra

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2012 16 2
2011 24 2

Other 2010 Nissan models

Every Nissan on this site — 200 vehicles, 319 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst