Makes›Nissan›Cube›2010

2010 Nissan Cube

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Nissan Cube
Pictured: Nissan Cube (Z12) – Frontansicht, 25. August 2013, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Body styles
5dr Hatch S/Sl
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 27 city / 31 hwy
Length
156.7 in
Curb weight
2,796 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2010 small station wagon (24.3 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Nissan Cube is a small station wagon offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 157 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,796 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (27 city / 31 highway), 19% better than the 2010 small station wagon average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2010

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Cube — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Cube →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
5dr Hatch S/Sl156.7 in66.9 in65 in100 in58.3 / 58.3 in2,796 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cube1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 31 / 29+19%$2,300306
Cube1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+11%$2,500329
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.3 MPG2010 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Nissan Cube under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Nissan Cube (this car)29 MPGNot rated2
2010 Honda Fit31 MPGNot rated12
2010 Kia Soul28 MPGNot rated3
2010 Scion xB24 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (2)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Apr 9, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V230000 · 47,928 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage · Jul 22, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V330000 · 46,000 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Nissan Cube is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

35Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
84,676 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System11
Steering11
Air Bags7
Power Train6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Unknown Or Other3
Engine2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/06: 316/09: 116/10: 117/02: 117/03: 117/05: 117/06: 217/11: 317/12: 118/01: 218/02: 118/07: 118/10: 119/01: 119/09: 120/02: 120/07: 122/05: 122/06: 123/03: 123/04: 124/09: 126/06: 226/08: 116/0617/0217/0618/0118/1020/0222/0624/09max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Nissan Cube buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Steering — 11 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 84,676 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Cube. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cube years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2014 Cube28156.7 inNot rated17
2013 Cube28156.7 inNot rated12
2012 Cube28156.7 inNot rated016
2011 Cube28156.7 inNot rated026
2009 Cube29156.7 inNot rated269

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →