2010 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

The 2010 Nissan Xterra has 4 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
38
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2010 Nissan Xterra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2010 Nissan Xterra recalls

Recall 23V-067: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-401: Equipment

Reported Sep 10, 2010 · 7,948 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-208: Suspension

Reported May 14, 2010 · 41,649 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-115: Air Bags, Steering

Reported Mar 24, 2010 · 4,038 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

2010 Nissan Xterra problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train12
Air Bags11
Electrical System8
Engine4
Service Brakes4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Unknown or Other3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Steering2
Structure2
Suspension2
Engine and Engine Cooling1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft — 1
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 83,800 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2010 Nissan Xterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Nov 14, 2024
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.
Air Bags · reported Sep 12, 2024
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
Air Bags · reported Mar 21, 2023
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.
Air Bags · reported Jun 17, 2022
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.
Power Train · reported Jun 11, 2022
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

Other Nissan Xterra years

Compare all Nissan Xterra years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Nissan Xterra: 23V-067 (air bags), 10V-401 (equipment), 10V-208 (suspension), 10V-115 (air bags, steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Nissan Xterra?

Owners report power train problems most often (12 reports), followed by air bags (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 83,800 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.