Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that seat air bag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
Around 12:30 pm Sysco driver [redacted] illegally parked on the San Diego California street blocking off traffic. I made a note of the drivers identification because of the awkward closeness to my vehicle. I went to an appointment about an hour away and upon my return I immediately noticed tension and pulling with my suspension that was not there before. I contact Sysco corporate office to report the incident and they said they will take care of it and to make a police report. I call immediately and am put on hold for nearly 90 minutes then am disconnected. I go to make an in person report and the police department is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I notify the department of transportation and the California attorney general of my situation and how my car is not working like before. This should be investigated.
My name is [redacted] and I can be reached at [redacted]...The dashboard has many cracks on it and it looks like it's melting too by the sun rays. It's very sticky when you touch it too. Vehicle tends to slow down a lot when I am driving as if I am about to get transmission problems soon. I see many people who already complained this transmission issue. My car has about 130,646 miles on it. The passenger air bag is consistently on and I hope it won't deploy on its own.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Nissan Altima. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, a second vehicle crashed into its rear bumper while traveling approximately 55 MPH. The contact's vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. The front end was damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained back, neck, knee, and hand injuries. The front passenger sustained a concussion, neck, and back injuries. The rear driver side passenger sustained head and knee injuries. Medical attention was required. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 09/08/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. When the contact released the brake pedal coming from a complete stop, the vehicle tapped the rear of the preceding vehicle. Without warning, the driver and passenger air bags deployed. The contact and passenger sustained injuries to the neck that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 30 MPH on a damp road, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle began to spin out of control without warning. The vehicle crashed into a concrete overpass. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a parking lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Head on collision at approximately 45 MPH, braked, direct impact about 25 MPH, airbags did not engage. Driver seat belt did not lock on brake or impact. Consumer stated trucking company has taken steps for repairs but dealership missed some repairs and trucking company refusing to pay outstanding repairs.
The driver side airbag deployed without any impact upon making a right turn, subsequently, the driver lost control of the vehicle with airbag deployment making it impossible to and ran over a curb causing extensive damage to the vehicle.
On August 17, 2015 I noticed that my air bag light was flashing in my 2010 Nissan Altima coupe 3.5.. The next day I went to my dealership to have it looked at. They informed me that there was a "short' in the steering wheel airbag meaning that the airbag would not deploy if needed. I contacted Nissan with my concern about the short being a defect with only 58,133 miles on the car. Airbags should not have "shorts" in them for deployment!!! After 2 weeks they offered to pay for 1/2 of the cost of the replacement of the airbag. This indicated to me that they realized there was a defect with the airbag. I felt that they were responsible for more that just 1/2 half of the cost. They felt different. I was left with no choice but to accept their offer or drive with a defective airbag or pay the full cost of the replacement. This was the 2nd problem I had with an airbag with the car. …
Takata recall. On November , 12 2016, I took my 2010 nissian Altima into griffin nissian's dealership to have my vehicle looked at due to an airbag light coming on the day prior, while in motion. It's still on parked also. It never goes off. After taking my vehicle in a service advisor called me and stated that the problem is a sensor inside the passenger seat has gone bad and would need to be replaced. I asked was that covered under the manufacture and he advised me that he wasn't sure. He advised it would be an estimated cost of around $600.00 dollars to repair the sensor. I then research the issue about the sensor, and my research showed that several vehicles have already been recalled for the same issue. I contacted nissian manufacture. And I explain the problem my car had and they advised me that someone would view the case and contact me back. …
Airbag complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Nissan Altima, 16% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Altima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2010 Nissan Altima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Altima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 19 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.