The Nissan Altima has been one of the most popular and useful midsize sedans for decades. The 2010 Altima is already more than a decade old, but many models are still on the road, giving owners a reliable driving experience. That said, there are some common 2010 Altima problems you should know when you’re thinking about a good used car that might be your next ride.

The most common 2010 Nissan Altima problems

You won’t find any vehicles in the market without problems. According to Car Complaints, the three most common 2010 Altima problems are:

• Transmission failure
• The car won’t start
• Compressor stopped working

Let’s take a look at these problems and the possible fixes for them.

The 2010 Nissan Altima suffers from transmission failure

The most common problem owners experience is transmission failure. The early days of the Nissan CVT automatic transmission are well-documented, with failures after 100,000 miles. For the 2010 Altima, this issue appears after an average of 136,300 miles of driving.

Unfortunately, the only fix for a failing transmission is to replace it. This can be an expensive repair, costing an average of $2,840 to fix the issue. Before you purchase a used 2010 Nissan Altima, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic for potential transmission issues.

Owners reported cases of the car not starting

Imagine the inconvenience when you need to drive your car, and it simply won’t start. Some Altima drivers have reported issues with the car failing to start without acceptable repair results to fix the problem. On average, this problem appears after 66,250 miles of driving.

Those drivers who have found ways to fix the starting problem have paid an average of $1,300 to get the car running once again, while other drivers didn’t find a fix for this problem. In addition to the cost of towing the vehicle to a repair shop or home, drivers found the solution to this issue to be replacing the steering lock/ignition switch or brake switch.

The 2010 Nissan Altima’s compressor can stop working

The third most common problem 2010 Nissan Altima owners face is a failed air conditioner compressor. While not as serious as the first two problems, when the A/C stops working, occupants in the vehicle can become uncomfortable and hot, especially when the temperature is above 80 degrees and the sun is shining.

This problem typically appears when the vehicle has 64,000 miles on it, and it costs an average of $1,080 to replace the air conditioning compressor. The Altima can be driven without air conditioning, but that means putting the windows down.

Is the 2010 Nissan Altima worth buying?

Some owners love the Altima, others not so much. The potential 2010 Altima problems could leave you stranded on the side of the road. This car isn’t worth buying because of its low rating and the number of mechanical problems that could appear early in your ownership period.

This Altima is more than 12 years old, which means it’s close to the end of its life cycle. The 2010 Nissan Altima could offer several years of reliable driving, but it’s more likely to let you down after only a few miles, spending more time in the repair shop than on the road.