Makes›Nissan›Frontier›2010

2010 Nissan Frontier

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Nissan Frontier
Pictured: Nissan Frontier (D41) Pro-4X Automesse Ludwigsburg 2022 1X7A5885. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab 4x2 Se, Crew Cab 4X4 Se/Le/Pro-4x, King Cab 4X4 Se/Pro-4x, King Cab S/Box 4x2 Se
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 19 city / 23 hwy
Length
205.5–205.9 in
Curb weight
3,728–4,559 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Nissan Frontier is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 206 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (Crew Cab 4x2 Se).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 9% better than the 2010 small pickup truck average of 19.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2010

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Frontier →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab 4x2 Se205.9 in72.8 in70.1 in125.6 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,343 lb57/43
Crew Cab 4X4 Se/Le/Pro-4x205.9 in72.8 in70.1 in125.6 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,559 lb57/43
King Cab 4X4 Se/Pro-4x205.5 in72.8 in69.7 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,326 lb57/43
King Cab S/Box 4x2 Se205.5 in72.8 in69.7 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,129 lb57/43
King Cab S/Box 4x2 Xe205.5 in62.2 in68.5 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,728 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 21+9%$3,200423
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19-1%$3,550468
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17-3%$3,950523
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-9%$4,200555
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.2 MPG2010 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Nissan Frontier under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Nissan Frontier (this car)21 MPGNot rated4
2010 Ford F-15017 MPGNot rated1
2010 Toyota Tacoma22 MPGNot rated12
2010 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated2
2010 GMC Canyon21 MPGNot rated2
2010 Honda Ridgeline17 MPGNot rated9
2010 Hummer H3T16 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal · Feb 10, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V067000 · 404,690 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Sep 10, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V401000 · 7,948 vehicles

Problem
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Child Seat › Tether › Connector/Clip · Aug 12, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V372000 · 951 vehicles

Problem
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 26, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE WELD BETWEEN THE TETHER ANCHOR AND THE SEAT GUSSET BRACKET IS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, AND BASED ON NISSAN'S ENGINEERING JUDGMENT, THE TETHER ANCHOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT WHEN TESTED UNDER THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE TETHER ANCHORAGE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE SEAT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CHILD SEAT THAT USES THE TETHER ANCHOR.
Fix
THE SEAT GUSSET CONTAINING THE TETHER ANCHORAGE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · May 14, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V208000 · 41,649 vehicles

Problem
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

36Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
73,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags17
Power Train7
Engine7
Electrical System5
Service Brakes3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Suspension1
Steering1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/01: 117/03: 217/06: 117/07: 117/08: 117/10: 118/08: 118/09: 119/05: 119/06: 119/07: 119/10: 120/03: 120/08: 121/04: 122/06: 122/10: 123/05: 223/08: 123/10: 124/02: 124/09: 125/04: 125/05: 117/0117/0718/0819/0620/0322/0623/0824/09max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Frontier years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Frontier21–Not rated00
2026 Frontier21224 inNot rated111
2025 Frontier21224 inNot rated39
2024 Frontier21224 inNot rated322
2023 Frontier21224 inNot rated166
2022 Frontier20224 in★★★★★6112
2021 Frontier20205.5 inNot rated220
2020 Frontier20205.5 inNot rated223
2019 Frontier21205.5 in★★★★★128
2018 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated225
2017 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated138
2016 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated144

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →