What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Frontier?

Air bags lead with 19 complaints, then power train with 15.

Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes, the by-year fact counts 4 recalls. See the Recalls section for the list.

Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Owners filed 59 complaints. See the sections on this page for recalls and safety, and read the complaint groups above.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Nissan Frontier?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

2010 Nissan Frontier Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Nissan Frontier^[1]. The biggest group is air bags, with 19 complaints^[2].

59owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

16–21MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Air Bags. 19 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a warning light that stays on, sometimes with the passenger seat sensor not noticing a lighter rider. A few describe repairs that did not hold.
Power Train. 15 complaints^[5]. Owners describe worn drive parts, leaking rear axle seals and a clutch that gave out early.
Electrical System. 9 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a truck that will not start, gauges that shake or drop out, and a phone pairing feature that fell short.
Engine. 9 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a rough or low idle, power that cuts out, and a slipping feel when pulling away.
Brakes. 5 complaints^[8].
Structure. 3 complaints^[9].
Steering. 2 complaints^[10].
Fuel System, Gasoline. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Frontier is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal (23V067), February 2023. About 404,690 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[12]
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) (10V401), September 2010. About 7,948 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Child Seat › Tether › Connector/Clip (10V372), August 2010. About 951 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (10V208), May 2010. About 41,649 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 23 / 21	$3,200
Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	15 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	16 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[19]	14 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[20]	15 / 19 / 17	$3,950

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Nissan Frontier with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[21]	152 hp
2010 Nissan Frontier with 4.0L 6-cylinder^[22]	261 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X2 SE^[23]	206 in	73 in	70 in	126 in	4,343 lb
FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 SE/LE/PRO-4X^[24]	206 in	73 in	70 in	126 in	4,559 lb
FRONTIER KING CAB 4X4 SE/PRO-4X^[25]	206 in	73 in	70 in	126 in	4,325 lb
FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 SE^[26]	206 in	73 in	70 in	126 in	4,129 lb
FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 XE^[27]	206 in	62 in	69 in	126 in	3,728 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Frontier model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1998	129	2
1999	78	2
2000	189	3
2001	134	3
2002	124	4
2003	77	4
2004	66	1
2005	532	3
2006	617	4
2007	520	1
2008	136	5
2009	37	3
2010	59	4
2011	64	1
2012	80	3
2013	48	1
2014	42	2
2015	33	0
2016	43	1
2017	38	1
2018	25	2
2019	28	1
2020	23	2
2021	20	2
2022	112	6
2023	66	1
2024	22	3
2025	9	3
2026	11	1

NHTSA's counts for the Frontier show 59 complaints and 4 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 30 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 15 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2006 (617)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Frontier?

The 2010 Frontier has a modest complaint file, with 59 reports in total^[1]. Air bag light trouble is the biggest group, followed by power train issues^[2]^[5]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold. Check the recalls section on this page, since the pack shows 4 recalls for this year^[3]. A used one deserves a careful look at the air bag light and the rear axle before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Frontier?: Air bags lead with 19 complaints, then power train with 15^[2]^[5].
Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have recalls?: Yes, the by-year fact counts 4 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section for the list.
How many complaints does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?: NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?: Owners filed 59 complaints^[1]. See the sections on this page for recalls and safety, and read the complaint groups above.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Nissan Frontier?: See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Frontier

2005 532 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 this page
2016 43 complaints, 1 recall
2018 25 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 28 complaints, 1 recall
2022 112 complaints, 6 recalls
2025 9 complaints, 3 recalls
2026 11 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Nissan Frontier

Other Nissan models from 2010

2010 Nissan Armada 48 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 Nissan Maxima 275 complaints, 1 recall
2010 Nissan Murano 193 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 Nissan Titan 46 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Nissan Xterra 38 complaints, 4 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2010: pickup trucks

2010 Chevrolet Colorado 29 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Ford Ranger 156 complaints, 8 recalls
2010 Honda Ridgeline 42 complaints, 9 recalls
2010 Toyota Tacoma 294 complaints, 13 recalls

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Nissan Frontier (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,757). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Frontier model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
15 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,638). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V067, filed February 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V401, filed September 10, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V372, filed August 12, 2010: Child Seat › Tether › Connector / Clip. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V208, filed May 14, 2010: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Nissan Frontier with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 152 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Nissan Frontier with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 261 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X2 SE: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,343 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 SE/LE/PRO-4X: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,559 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB 4X4 SE/PRO-4X: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,325 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 SE: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,129 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 XE: length 206 in, width 62 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 3,728 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and fuel economy