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2010 Nissan Cube Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Nissan Cube carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering storage and inflator module. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission failure.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Campaign #10V330000 · Jul 22, 2010

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVING BARRIER CRASH TEST AS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS.

Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SPECIAL PROTECTOR AND ATTACH IT TO THE GASOLINE RECIRCULATION TUBE AT THE LOCATION OF THE FILLER NECK CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #26V230000 · Oct 4, 2026

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.

Risk: A driver's air bag that ruptures or detaches can strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the front air bag inflator serial number, and replace the inflator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R26A1. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 14, 2026.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Nissan Cube.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2022-06

“CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. LUCKY IT RE-ENGAGED JUST IN TIME TO AVOID BEING T-BONED. TOWED 2010 CUBE TO DEALER, DETERMINED CVT FAILED AND NEEDS NEW CVT TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061320
“THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2009 AND 2010 CUBES ARE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. I HAD MINE REPLACED IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 AND IN MAY 2016, 15 MONTHS LATER, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875817
“AFTER A FEW YEARS OR FEW THOUSAND MILES, THE CVT TRANSMISSION MAY PARTIALLY FAIL AND IT MAY NOT BE INDICATED PROPERLY IN THE DASHBOARD. THIS RESULTS IN VEHICLE NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11139443

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel odor from fuel system leak

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2024-09

“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor on the exterior and in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cracked fuel tank”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11615619
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837025

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear door and lock actuator failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2018-01

“THE REAR DOOR NO LONGER UNLOCKS. IT WAS WORKING FINE AND NOW THE ACTUATOR NO LONGER WORKS MAKING THE REAR DOOR UNUSABLE, THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THE EMERGENCY UNLOCK DOES NOT WORK EITHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10597018
“I REPORTED THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ALL THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WILL NOT WORK, WOULD NOT OPEN WOULD NOT LOCK. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ONE OR TWO DOORS AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ALL OF THEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10531991
“REAR DOOR DOESN'T OPEN, READ MANY SIMILAR REPORTS. WHEN CARS ARE SUBMERGED INTO WATER OFTEN ESCAPING THROUGH THE TRUNK IS THE ONLY OPTION, NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A FAULTY LATCH IN ALL THE EARLIER MODELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11064630

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire wear and TPMS sensor issues

TIRES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2013-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN CUBE WITH TOYO TIRES, LINE SIZE P195/60/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453018
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN CUBE. WHILE HAVING A NAIL REMOVED FROM THE TIRE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10520357
“2010 NISSAN CUBE. HORRIBLE HANDLING CONDITIONS IN WINDS OVER 25 MPH. TIRE LIGHT WOULD COME OFF AND ON. THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO COLD AND HOT WEATHER. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO ED HICKS NISSAN BECAUSE OF THE HANDLING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10392167

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electronic steering column lock preventing engine start

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2023-04

“THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK USED ON CARS MANUFACTURED IN MODEL YEARS 2009-2010. THE LOCK ENGAGES AND MAKES CARS WITH PUSH-BUTTON IGNITIONS IMPOSSIBLE TO START”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575117
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN CUBE AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10953902
“I RECENTLY HAD MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM GO OUT ON MY 2010 NISSAN CUBE AND LEAVE ME STRANDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10909358

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and Takata recall parts

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2012-08 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (AIR BAGS), the dealer discovered that the vehicle was not equipped with a front driver's side air bag”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11746002
“IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH ON 6/3/17, SIDE AIR CURTAIN DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT. CAR WAS THROWN AGAINST PASS. SIDE OF CUBE. FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10993101
“AIRBAGS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING HAD IT TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THIS IS WHAT IT DOES AND IT JUST NEEDS RESET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048153

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

19 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Nissan Cube reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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