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

Owners name the power train and the air bags most, with 11 complaints each. The electrical system follows.

Does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2010 Nissan Xterra reliable?

The complaints are spread over several groups, led by the power train and air bags. See the by-year section for how this year sits against other years.

What mpg does the 2010 Nissan Xterra get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2010 Nissan Xterra Problems, Recalls and MPG

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

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Nissan Xterra^[1]. The biggest groups are the power train and the air bags, with 11 complaints each^[2]^[3].

38owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[4]

17–18MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports sent to NHTSA.

Power Train. 11 complaints^[2]. Owners describe loose parts under the vehicle, a clutch that gave out on the road, and a vehicle that moved on its own after being parked. Some also talk about repeat dealer visits.
Air Bags. 11 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, the air bag warning light comes on or flashes and the system is switched off. Owners describe sensor and cable faults, and some say a repair was hard to get.
Electrical System. 8 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a vehicle that will not start in cold weather and sudden loss of power while driving. Some mention computer or module failures and costly repairs.
Engine. 5 complaints^[7]. Owners describe slow acceleration, no start on cold days and a car that moved when it should not have.
Brakes. 4 complaints^[8].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 3 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 3 complaints^[10].
Fuel System, Gasoline. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Xterra 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]
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.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive (10V115), March 2010. About 4,038 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, an air bag that may not work as intended. 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
Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 21 / 17	$3,950
Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[5]	16 / 20 / 18	$3,700
Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[17]	15 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[18]	16 / 20 / 17	$3,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR RWD/4WD^[19]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	25.6%

Engine and size

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

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
XTERRA 4DR SUV 4WD S/OFF-ROAD/SE^[20]	178 in	73 in	75 in	106 in	4,350 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2000	214	3
2001	150	3
2002	157	5
2003	72	3
2004	84	2
2005	845	3
2006	780	3
2007	557	1
2008	119	6
2009	19	3
2010	38	4
2011	24	2
2012	16	2
2013	4	0
2014	10	0
2015	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the Xterra show 38 complaints and 4 recalls for 2010^[4]. Among the 16 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 9 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2013 (4) and the most are for 2005 (845)^[4]. 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 Xterra?

The 2010 Nissan Xterra has 38 complaints on file^[1]. The power train and air bags lead the list^[2]^[3]. The electrical system comes next^[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score. Check the recalls section on this page, since the pack lists recalls for this year^[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Xterra?: Owners name the power train and the air bags most, with 11 complaints each^[2]^[3]. The electrical system follows^[6].
Does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year^[4]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?: NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2010 Nissan Xterra reliable?: The complaints are spread over several groups, led by the power train and air bags^[2]^[3]. See the by-year section for how this year sits against other years.
What mpg does the 2010 Nissan Xterra get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Xterra

2001 150 complaints, 3 recalls
2002 157 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 72 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 84 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 845 complaints, 3 recalls
2006 780 complaints, 3 recalls
2007 557 complaints, 1 recall
2008 119 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 this page
2011 24 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 16 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 10 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Xterra

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

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2010: suvs

2010 Honda Element 30 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Jeep Commander 45 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 Jeep Liberty 197 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Lincoln MKX 111 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Mazda CX-9 195 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Subaru Forester 262 complaints, 17 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Nissan Xterra (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Xterra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the unknown or other 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 10V208, filed May 14, 2010: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V115, filed March 24, 2010: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4WD S/OFF-ROAD/SE: length 178 in, width 73 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,350 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 Xterra: problems, recalls and fuel economy