Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Vehicle pulled out in front of me exiting from parallel park into oncoming traffic causing me to skid(slam brakes) & steer off into the other lane of traffic. When I got out to check the scenery & make sure she was okay, she flipped me off & Proceeded to curse me out
My 19 year old daughter was driving her car down the road when it stopped accelerating acting as if the brakes were applied. She could not get the car to go above 25 miles an hour. She was able to pull into a parking lot and wait for her dad to come and help her. When her dad got there the car was sluggish and would not accelerate because it felt like the brakes were being applied. He switched the car to manual and was able to get it home. The ABS, vdc off, slip lights all came on. The next day all lights were off and the car drove normally. This happened two more times intermittently at which time we took it into our mechanic. He discovered a power brake booster needed replacing. He believed this was a safety recall as it had been a recall on the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Nissan Altima. Much to our dismay Nissan has not issued a recall for this safety issue for the 2010 models. …
The brake light switch has failed on our 2010 Altima 2.5. This is a known problem with nissans and is in fact the subject of a Nissan service bulletin, number ntb10-139. The defective original Nissan switch causes a no start situation if it occurs when the car is not running, and failure of the brake lights to light when braking if it occurs while driving. Nissan has released a revised switch to replace the defective original design, but in reviewing transportation.gov and contacting the dealer, there is no recall or manufacturer voluntary campaign to remedy this dangerous defect. We are in the process of completing the repair at our own expense and my initiate legal action against Nissan USA if there is not already a class action lawsuit.
Driving on i95 from gatlinburg my car started make a horrible whining noisie, shuck it's has done before just not this bad, it has before but I didn't think much of it and just stopped and let it sit and it stopped . Now it happens everyttime I get in the car. Or that I have to beg it go when it's in gear, when I pull out I'd doesn't go. I've notice if I slam it from to park forcefully to drive it seems to work fine until the whining and jerking start. I know this is a tranny issue and I I know it's warranty rorb10 yrs or 120000 miles I'm at 102! And I can't drive this car please help!!!
On several occasions the vehicle has failed to start when the brake was depressed. At the present time the ABS light, slip and vdc are now illuminated after driving the car for a few minutes. It is my understanding that this is supposed to blink if there is a problem driving in wet road conditions or it is slippery. I have read numerous complaints from other owners having the same issue with the car not starting. It takes several tries in order to get the car to turnover and start. I believe that Nissan needs to investigate this issue further and issue a recall for these vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions and the ABS and vdc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle restarted after the vehicle was jumpstarted; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
In oct 2011 car surged at stopped sign called dealer he said if happen again bring it in nov 2011 car surged again took it to dealer he could not find anything wrong in jan 2012 car surged again but this time there was a vehicle in front of me. The Nissan was completely damage in the front. The air bags did not open up. I traded the car in on a new and different company car. I was afraid to drive this any more. Gas pedal ## VIN failed ## 2010 Nissan Altima ##
When I tried to start the cay with the push button start it would not respond. I tested the battery which is only 1 year old and is in good condition. I took it to the dealership (Nissan legacy) who reported that there was an issue with the brake switch and harness which need to be replaced. I have ready online that there were multiple incidents with this happening to this make and model
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was sticky and had cracks. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the brake warning indicator illuminated inadvertently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and it went to the floorboard and remained jammed. As a result, the vehicle was not able to be driven. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2010 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2010 Nissan Altima, 8% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes 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.