2010 Nissan XTERRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
81,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 38 complaints (28.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 21.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Air Bags: 11; Power Train: 10; Electrical System: 8; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10348156 · 2010-08-09 (August 9, 2010)
MY 2005 XTERRA IS HAVING SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED 2006 XTERRA WITH THE FUEL GAUGE AND RUNNING OUT OF GAS...BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET MINE FIXED COSTING NEARLY $500.00....THE 2005 XTERRAS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS MANY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353302 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
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 MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10394082 · 2011-04-03 (April 3, 2011)
I HAVE A 2010 NISSAN XTERRA I BOUGHT IN AUG 2010. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS WITH SAME 3-4 ISSUES. IT NOW HAS APPRX 8000 MILES AND NEEDS A NEW SET OF TIRES WHICH NISSAN IS REFUSING TO CHANGE. THE GAS GAUGE IS CONSTANTLY NOT WORKING, DOES NOT READ PROPERLY, I FINALLY HAD TO PROVE IT TO THEM THIS PAST WEEK AFTER COMPLAINING NUMEROUS TIME AND HAVING THEM, REPLACE THE GAS SENSOR ONE . THE ENGINE HESITATES AT APPRX 40 MILES AN HOUR, ONE OF THESE DAYS I AM AFRAID I WILL BE HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN I STEP ON THE GA…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449584 · 2012-02-28 (February 28, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE DRIVE SHAFT IN PLACE WERE DETACHED AND CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BECOME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,160 AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10494832 · 2013-01-26 (January 26, 2013)
I AM WRITING TO REPORT REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE, AN XTERRA 2010. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT RISK OF CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDE - SLOW ACCELERATION ON SURFACE STREETS AFTER LIGHT CHANGES ? THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. - SLOW ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY, CAR SHIFTS GEARS SLOWLY ? THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, - CAR FILLS WITH KEROSENE OR EXHAUST SMELL FOR A SHORT TIME, EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ? THIS OCCURS OCCASIONALLY, - CAR REVVED UP FOLLOWED BY A SWEET SMELL (LIKE COOLANT/ANT…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496490 · 2013-02-05 (February 5, 2013)
MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD THE SYSTEM DIAGNOSED. IT WAS A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. I ONLY HAD 37200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND SURROUNDING DEALERSHIPS AND GOT THE "IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY" SPEECH. THE SHOP THAT PERFORMED THE WORK MENTIONED THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF NISSANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE RECEIPT AND IF THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED, I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY MONEY BACK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10496490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508630 · 2013-04-18 (April 18, 2013)
VEHICLE IS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD AND THE ENTIRE BACK BUMPER ALREADY HAS RUST/CORROSION, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH XTERRAS BUT ITS SO RUSTED IF IMPACTED IN THE REAR IT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE REAR BUMPER TO FAIL. AND NISSAN WONT COVER THE BUMPER IN WARRANTY EVEN EXTENDED $2000 WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUSTING SLOWLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 42,455 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559437 · 2014-01-11 (January 11, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559437 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V115000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector
Reported: 2010-03-24 (March 24, 2010)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V208000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2010-05-14 (May 14, 2010)
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.
Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V401000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Reported: 2010-09-10 (September 10, 2010)
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.
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V067000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)
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.
Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗