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2010 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2010 Nissan Altima is a passenger car whose 4.9-quart engine oil capacity and 5W-30 API viscosity specification place it firmly in the mainstream sedan maintenance routine, with no unusual service requirements to flag. Nissan logged 380 owner complaints and 3 recalls for this model year, with the top complaint area listed as "Unknown Or Other" — a category that, while vague, signals the absence of a single dominant, systemic failure mode defining the 2010. That complaint volume is modest in the context of the Altima's full history spanning 1993 through 2025, which crested at 2,304 complaints in 2013, meaning the 2010 sits in a comparatively calm window before the model's trouble peak and reads as a relatively stable choice within the generation.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546JA00B alt 165460Z000
Spark plug	22401JA01B alt 22401EW61C
Battery	24410JA10A alt 24410JA80A
Front wiper blades	28890ZX00B discontinued · alt 28890ZX00A
Serpentine belt	11720JA00B alt 11720JA80A
Thermostat	210496N220 alt 21049ED00A
Cabin air filter	27277JA00C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	181.1 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	105.5 in
Curb weight	3095 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2010 2.5 SL

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	2.5 SL 2.5L I-4	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	175 hp	FWD
2009	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.80 sec	14.50 sec	270 hp	FWD
2009	3.5 SE Coupe 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.60 sec	270 hp	FWD
2009	Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec	7.10 sec	15.60 sec	198 hp	FWD
2008	3.5 SE Coupe 3.5L V6	5.80 sec	14.60 sec	270 hp	FWD
2008	3.5 SE Coupe 3.5L V6	5.80 sec	14.30 sec	270 hp	FWD
2008	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	6.30 sec	14.80 sec	270 hp	FWD
2008	3.5 SE Coupe 3.5L V6	6.40 sec	14.80 sec	270 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.1 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	62 ft-lbs / 98 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

31 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

31 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

32 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-90

32 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	completely loosen bolts in reverse order
4	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
5	75 degrees	75 degrees
6	75 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	103 degrees	103 degrees
5	103 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	103 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

bolts 1-6 upper intake bolts sedan model

18 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The fourth-generation Nissan Altima experienced a massive complaint spike, peaking at 1,547 complaints in 2009, before dropping significantly to 380 in the 2010 model year and falling further to 241 in 2011. The 2010 Altima sits advantageously on the downward slope of this generation's arc, offering a stark improvement over the problematic 2008 and 2009 models while successfully avoiding the severe 2,304-complaint spike that plagued the 2013 redesign. For the 2010 model, the 380 federal complaints are led by "Unknown or Other" (49), Air Bags (45), Power Train (42), and Electrical System (31) categories, alongside 25 crash and 9 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. With only 3 recalls and 0 investigations in 2010, its federal oversight metrics remain relatively stable compared to the 4 recalls in both 2009 and 2011. Consequently, the 2010 Altima stands out as a strategically sound used purchase within its generation, offering notably fewer reported federal issues than the surrounding model years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

136

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

380

Owner complaints

25 involved a crash · 9 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09’10’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 380 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other49

Air Bags45

Power Train42

Electrical System31

Structure20

Engine17

Suspension15

Visibility/Wiper12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V401000Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)Reported 10/09/2010

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. 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…

09V358000SuspensionReported 16/09/2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO… Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 136 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546JA00B Spark plug 22401JA01B Battery 24410JA10A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Altima take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.