Is the 2010 Nissan FRONTIER reliable?

The 2010 Nissan FRONTIER has 76 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Nissan FRONTIER?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (19 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (16 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Nissan FRONTIER?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, EQUIPMENT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM), CHILD SEAT:TETHER: CONNECTOR/CLIP, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Nissan FRONTIER?

The 2010 Nissan FRONTIER gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Nissan FRONTIER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Nissan FRONTIER is approximately $1,451/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Nissan FRONTIER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Nissan FRONTIER has 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 50. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan frontier crew cab. the contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light remained illuminated when the passenger seat was occupied. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the electronic sensor could not be shut off. the vehicle . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

19 complaints

25%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE
• AIR BAGS LIGHT KEEP STAY ON, REPLACE SPINAL CABLE FOR THE AIR BAGS, CALL NISSAN MANUFACTURER AND THEY WON'T DO THE RECALL, COST ME $1200.00 FOR THE REPAIR. SAW THE NEWS ON CNN THE RECALL FOR AIR BAG PROBLEM INCLUDE NISSAN. *TR
• AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON, ACCORDING TO MANUAL IT MEANS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYING IN A ACCIDENT, CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY WANT $125.00 TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TO ME THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED FOR FREE BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Nissan FRONTIER

Based on 53 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 85K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 42K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM20/05/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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 REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Nissan FRONTIER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Nissan FRONTIER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,451

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$629

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1451

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan FRONTIER Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2010 FRONTIER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 76 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 6-SPEED MANUAL STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION; CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AT 20,160M, 13MOS VEHICLE AGE; SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR, INTERMITTANT BURNING SMELLS OF UNK ORIGIN WHEN BACKING VEHICLE THAT WENT AWAY QUICKLY MAY HAVE BEEN ONLY SYMPTOM OF IMPENDING PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. SOLE DRIVER/OWNER IS VETERAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOR WOULD THE IGNITION UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AND WAITING FOR AN OPENING IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH, I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE INTO AN OPENING AND NOTHING HAPPENED, NO FORWARD MOTION. AND THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS; ONE INVOLVED TRYING TO CROS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)