2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid Problems & Complaints

Better than average54% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Altima Hybrid at the same age

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 54% fewer than a typical Altima Hybrid model year at the same age, making the 2010 one of the better Altima Hybrid years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (5 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).

12complaints
0recalls
0crashes
2fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems

  • Engine & cooling~70,000 miles
    542%
  • Electrical system~73,000 miles
    433%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~68,000 miles
    217%
  • Brakes~0 miles
    18%
  • Seats~9,000 miles
    18%
  • Locks & latches~9,000 miles
    18%
  • Air bags~63,000 miles
    18%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~36,000 miles
    18%

Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Nissan Altima Hybrid complaints by model year

200720082009201027165412
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Altima Hybrid. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Altima Hybrid years: 2010, 2008. Years to avoid: 2009, 2007. Compare all years →

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid:

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.

What 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid owners say

Engine & cooling

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. …

70,000 miles · Mar 2014 · fire

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 [redacted] 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).

135,000 miles · Oct 2018

Electrical 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. …

70,000 miles · Mar 2014 · fire

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 [redacted] 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).

135,000 miles · Oct 2018

2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl hybridCVTFWD35 / 33 / 34

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid a good car?

Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Altima Hybrid rates better than average: 54% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Altima Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the best Altima Hybrid years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid?

The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and transmission & drivetrain (2).

How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Altima Hybrid?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009 and 2007. See the full Nissan Altima Hybrid years comparison.

At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.