NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID · model year

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

16 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010NISSANALTIMA HYBRID carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 ALTIMA HYBRID is engine with 4 filings, followed by electrical system (4) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2010 ALTIMA HYBRID, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SEATS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
AIR BAGS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20191004POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

20181008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID RECALL - TOYOTA HYBRID PRIUS SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER TWO HYBRID SYSTEM RECALLS USED BY NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRIDS 2007-2011. MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY AND SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PRIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARDNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (HYBRID COMPUTER)AND DAMAGED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (ECU, COILS, AND AUXILARY BATTERY. OPEN NISSAN CASE NUMBER [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

Mileage: 135,000

20181008ENGINE

TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID RECALL - TOYOTA HYBRID PRIUS SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER TWO HYBRID SYSTEM RECALLS USED BY NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRIDS 2007-2011. MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY AND SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PRIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARDNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (HYBRID COMPUTER)AND DAMAGED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (ECU, COILS, AND AUXILARY BATTERY. OPEN NISSAN CASE NUMBER [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

Mileage: 135,000

20161011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME, IT WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20150822FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. THE CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE IS P0448. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL CAR OWNERS.

Mileage: 36,433

20141105POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 54,000

20140703AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WAS WITHIN THE SENSOR FOR THE SEAT DETECTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V138000 (AIR BAGS), 13V069000 (AIR BAGS), 11V408000 (AIR BAGS) AND 12V055000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

20140426FireENGINE

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM WRITING TO REPORT A VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP INVOLVING MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AT THE INTERSECTION OF RTE 231 & I-495 SERVICE RD (E/B) IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED, AS WELL AS MY INSURANCE CARRIER, MET LIFE, AND OTH SENT INDEPENDENT ARSON INVESTIGATORS TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFY A CAUSE/ORIGIN OF THE SPONTANEOUS IGNITION WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. MET LIFE'S INVESTIGATOR FOUND NOTHING POINTING TO THE MAINTENANCE OR OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SPONTANEOUS IGNITION. NISSAN SENT THEIR INVESTIGATOR, WHOM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR, IDENTIFIED THE COMPONENT FAILURE AS A WIIRNG HARNESS NEAR OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS CONTACTED ME STATING THEY "....CONDUCTED A DETAILED INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT PROBLEM, FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT".

Mileage: 73,000

20140426FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM WRITING TO REPORT A VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP INVOLVING MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AT THE INTERSECTION OF RTE 231 & I-495 SERVICE RD (E/B) IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED, AS WELL AS MY INSURANCE CARRIER, MET LIFE, AND OTH SENT INDEPENDENT ARSON INVESTIGATORS TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFY A CAUSE/ORIGIN OF THE SPONTANEOUS IGNITION WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. MET LIFE'S INVESTIGATOR FOUND NOTHING POINTING TO THE MAINTENANCE OR OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SPONTANEOUS IGNITION. NISSAN SENT THEIR INVESTIGATOR, WHOM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR, IDENTIFIED THE COMPONENT FAILURE AS A WIIRNG HARNESS NEAR OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS CONTACTED ME STATING THEY "....CONDUCTED A DETAILED INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT PROBLEM, FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT".

Mileage: 73,000

20140327FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-495 (EXIT 51 E) AND RT 231 IN SUFFOLK, NEW YORK, MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID, WHILE IN ELECTRIC HYBRID MODE, EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH OCCURRED MARCH 8, 2014 AND IGNITED WITH VISIBLE SPARKS REPORTED BY EYEWITNESSES UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO COMBUSTION. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE......WITH NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION/ANOMALIES WHICH WOULD WARN HER OF THE IMPENDING DANGEROUS VEHICLE IGNITION. NISSAN AND METLIFE, MY INSURANCE CARRIER, ARE INVESTIGATING BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN BOTH PARTIES INTERESTS TO BLAME THE OTHER....WITH ME AS THE INNOCENT VICTIM CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. MY FEAR IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS AT THE ROOT CAUSE AND OTHER UNSUSPECTING POTENTIAL VICTIMS ARE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INTERVENE AND INQUIRE AS TO THIS P

Mileage: 70,000

20140327FireENGINE

WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-495 (EXIT 51 E) AND RT 231 IN SUFFOLK, NEW YORK, MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID, WHILE IN ELECTRIC HYBRID MODE, EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH OCCURRED MARCH 8, 2014 AND IGNITED WITH VISIBLE SPARKS REPORTED BY EYEWITNESSES UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO COMBUSTION. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE......WITH NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION/ANOMALIES WHICH WOULD WARN HER OF THE IMPENDING DANGEROUS VEHICLE IGNITION. NISSAN AND METLIFE, MY INSURANCE CARRIER, ARE INVESTIGATING BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN BOTH PARTIES INTERESTS TO BLAME THE OTHER....WITH ME AS THE INNOCENT VICTIM CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. MY FEAR IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS AT THE ROOT CAUSE AND OTHER UNSUSPECTING POTENTIAL VICTIMS ARE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INTERVENE AND INQUIRE AS TO THIS P

Mileage: 70,000

20131108ENGINE

THE VEHICLE SET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT A STOP LIGHT. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE TOLD THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE IN THE HYBRID VEHICLE STARTING AND STOPPING A LOT IT BUILDS UP CARBON IN THE CYLINDER. (A HYBRID VEHICLE STARTS AND STOPS BY DESIGN WHEN SWITCHING FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS AND VICE VERSA) I JUST GOT IT IN UNDER THE WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES. MY ENGINE DID NOT SEIZE IN THIS INSTANCE HOWEVER THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FAILURE AND NOT A USAGE FAILURE. IF THE HYBRID VEHICLE IS MARKETED AS A FUEL SAVER AND COST SAVINGS OVER IT'S USEFUL LIFE A $5,000 TO $10,000 BILL FOR ENGINE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT NEGATES ALL POSSIBLE SAVINGS. I WONDER IF THE DESIGN FLAW CREATES MORE CARBON EMISSIONS THAT NEGATES THE SPECIFICATION. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

20101028SEATS

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK FAILED INITIALLY JAMMING SEAT MOVEMENT, THEN RELEASING CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY . SEAT MECHANISM IS MANUAL (NOT POWER). *TR

Mileage: 9,020

20101028LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK FAILED INITIALLY JAMMING SEAT MOVEMENT, THEN RELEASING CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY . SEAT MECHANISM IS MANUAL (NOT POWER). *TR

Mileage: 9,020

20100609ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER (BOTH ELECTRIC AND GASOLINE GENERATED) WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CUT ACROSS 2 LANES THROUGH HEAVY TRAFFIC (WHILE COASTING) TO GET TO THE CURB. AFTER WAITING AND SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHICH SIMPLY SAID THE CAR "SHOWED NO CODES" AND, THEREFORE, WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR MAKE REPAIRS. I CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM, AS I NOW QUESTION WHETHER THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY OPERATED OR TAKEN ON ANY LONG TRIPS. *TR

Mileage: 5,230

20100216SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID HAS A PROBLEM WHEREIN A (LIKELY COMPUTER SOFTWARE) DEFECT PREVENTS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON AND SET AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. OVER A WIDE RANGE OF SPEEDS, SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS THE EFFECT OF LOCKING OUT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS AN EASILY REPEATABLE AND DEMONSTRABLE PROBLEM AND OCCURS EVERY DAY. WHILE THE TRADITIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM STILL FUNCTIONS, THE NET EFFECT IS THAT THE BRAKES ARE LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THEY SHOULD BE, FUEL ECONOMY IS REDUCED, BRAKE WEAR IS INCREASED, AND POLLUTION IS INCREASED. *TR

Mileage: 42

Compare 2010NISSANALTIMA HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID have?
The 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID is ENGINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.