Is the 2010 Nissan XTERRA reliable?

The 2010 Nissan XTERRA has 58 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Nissan XTERRA?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (12 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Nissan XTERRA?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, EQUIPMENT, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM), 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 XTERRA?

The 2010 Nissan XTERRA gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Nissan XTERRA is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize 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 XTERRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Nissan XTERRA has 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 17. The most common issue is transmission problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: 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 . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

8 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

12 complaints

21%

• 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
• 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 S
• 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 S

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Nissan XTERRA

Based on 44 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 90K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 49K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 100K mi · 7 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 XTERRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/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 XTERRA

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

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan XTERRA 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 XTERRA, 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 58 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS TRAVELING AT 25 (NO MORE THAN 30) MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH MINE. THE OTHER VEHICLE DID CLIP THE MIDDLE 1/3 AND ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY XTERRA. THE HOOD WAS CRUSHED TO THE FIRST THIRD OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL, TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS WERE LEAKING FROM THE SUV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN XTERRA. DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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
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)