NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may crack and come loose during air bag deployment.
What the fix does
This page covers 4 recalls, 59 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Nissan Frontier.
16–17 mpg combined
13.8–14.7 L/100km
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2010 Nissan Frontier, airbag-related complaints make up the single largest share of owner reports, with the most common symptom being the airbag warning light staying on in the instrument cluster. Many owners describe the light remaining illuminated even after dealer visits, with several reporting they were told parts were unavailable at the time of their appointment. Powertrain complaints are the second most common, where owners describe the truck bucking or surging, particularly in cold or snowy conditions at highway speeds, with the behavior sometimes persisting even after slowing down significantly. Electrical system complaints round out the top three reported areas, though at lower volume. The parts-availability theme shows up repeatedly across the airbag complaints, with multiple owners describing the same outcome: dealer confirms the issue but cannot complete a repair.
59
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Nissan Frontier has 4 recalls, the most serious being a child seat tether anchor that can pull away from the seat structure in a crash, reducing the protection a rear-facing or forward-facing child seat provides.
This tether anchor concern affects King Cab models built during a narrow window in June 2010, where the weld connecting the anchor to the seat bracket does not meet required strength standards. A separate but related filing covers the same tether anchor weld defect under Canadian safety standards, so the underlying issue is the same regardless of where the vehicle was purchased or registered. There is also a frontal airbag concern affecting this model along with several other Nissan vehicles from the same era: the plastic emblem on the driver's airbag cover can develop cracks and break free when the airbag deploys, turning the emblem into a projectile inside the cabin. Finally, there is a compliance recall involving the tire information placard, where the French-language text does not fully meet Canadian labeling requirements for tire selection and rim sizing; this does not involve a mechanical defect but means the placard may not convey complete tire information to French-speaking owners.
At a glance
What can fail
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may crack and come loose during air bag deployment.
What the fix does
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The French-language text on the tire placard does not fully meet updated Canada safety standards that took effect September 1, 2009, though all required safety information is still present.
What the fix does
No corrective action required. The variation is minor and poses no safety risk.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weld connecting the child seat tether anchor to the seat bracket may not meet specifications, potentially causing the anchor to separate from the seat during use.
What the fix does
Nissan will replace the seat gusset containing the tether anchor with a properly welded unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The top tether anchor on the front passenger seat may not be strong enough due to improper welding during manufacturing. In a crash, the anchor could break and separate, causing a child restraint to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat tether anchor with a new one that meets safety standards.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
