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2010 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 5AT

The 2010 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 5AT is a 261-hp 4.0-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $27,470 MSRP and is rated at 17 mpg combined.

It makes 261 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 281 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).

The Xterra measures 178.7 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,470 ($40,934 *)
Engine
Engine Type4.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 (VQ40DE)
Displacement4 L
Horsepower261 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-Valve
Drivetrain
Drive TypePart-Time 4WD
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Automatic
1st Gear3.84
2nd Gear2.35
3rd Gear1.53
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.84
Reverse2.77
Final Drive3.133
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway20 MPG
Combined17 MPG
Tank Capacity21.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone front suspension
Rear SuspensionRigid rear axle with leaf springs
Brakes
Front Brake Disc4-wheel disc, 4-wheel ABS standard
Rear Brake Disc4-wheel disc, 4-wheel ABS standard
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16-in. aluminum-alloy wheels
Wheels Rear16-in. aluminum-alloy wheels
Tires FrontP265/70R16
Tires RearP265/70R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length178.7 in
Width72.8 in
Height74.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track61.8 in
Rear Track61.8 in
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear39.3 in
Legroom Front42.4 in
Legroom Rear34.4 in
Shoulder Room Front58.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.3 in
Hip Room Front55.9 in
Hip Room Rear46.1 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (25.6 % risk)
Tested variant: 2010 Nissan Xterra 4-DR w/SAB

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Nissan XTERRA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 10, 2023 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 23V067000

Sep 10, 2010 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

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.

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10V401000

Sep 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

NHTSA campaign 10E043000

May 20, 2010 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.

Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 10E019000

May 14, 2010 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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.

Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10V208000

Mar 24, 2010 · STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 10V115000

38 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2010 Nissan XTERRA

Owner Complaints

38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Nissan XTERRA (4 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags11
Power Train11
Electrical System8
Engine4
Service Brakes4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 14, 2024 · Air Bags Crash 2 injuries
“THE NISSAN WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY AND THOSE TWO PEOPLE RECEVED INJURIES…”
Sep 12, 2024 · Air Bags
“After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldn’t have. The dealership I got the recall done at is…”
Mar 21, 2023 · Air Bags
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available…”
Jun 17, 2022 · Air Bags, Engine
“My air bag quit working. The light started going off. I took it to Nissan and they said I had to pay to have the light turned off before they would fix the recall. I could not afford to pay to have…”
Jun 11, 2022 · Power Train
“No warning lamps had my vehicle repeatedly looked at was told that my vehicle had no transmission warninfsigns was told by mechanic to replace the radiator I replaced the radiator and then the vehicle…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2010 NISSAN XTERRA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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