2010 Nissan Altima: Compressor stopped working
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Altima report: compressor stopped working. CarComplaints.com lists 6 owner complaints, average mileage 64,000 miles.
NHTSA has 7 owner complaints for the 2010 Altima in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11582136 (filed 04/10/2024): “This car dashboard is completely melting and the chemicals thats being released are very smelly and eye burning. from the vents down to right before the gear shift has pieces missing control units dont even sit in original place because the entire dash is melt…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11083575 (filed 04/06/2018): “There is a oil smell coming through the air condition vent when the car is in motion especially when you are at a stop sign and when the heat is on.the smell is strong .the only time when the smell is not coming out is when the ac/heater is off or when i have …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: new compressor (4 reports) AC /. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Opening the A/C system requires refrigerant recovery equipment, and US EPA Section 609 certification is required to service vehicle A/C for compensation. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,080 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto