The Lemon Index2010 Nissan Frontier.
The 2010 Nissan Frontier is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 19 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 43, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 16 to 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Frontier year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 59 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Frontier year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 81K miles on the car (43 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 6
- airbags 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- equipment 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
- equipment 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- child seat 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 26, 2010.
- suspension 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 A…
- suspension 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear axle seal leaks
- Door lock/unlock inoperative with intelligent key
- IF YOU CONFIRM A refrigerant leak at a refrigerant pipe/hose joint location
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedTransmission failures2012–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmission slips when placed in gear, does not engage right away.
2010 Nissan Frontier owner · NHTSA complaint 10449161
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 43; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Frontier year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2010 Nissan Frontier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (26%), electrical (21%) and body structure (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Frontier get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Frontier problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,800 and 81,000 miles. The middle report was at 41,000 miles, from 43 complaints.
Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Nissan Frontier cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Frontier year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works