2011 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 241 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 11 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SuspensionJul 19, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V371000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Dec 26, 2017
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. CODE PO101. MASS AIR FLOW. CHANGED THE AIR FILTER, AND THE MAF SENSOR BUT LIGHT REMAINS ON BULENTIN NTB12-051D REGARDING THIS ISSUE STATES SHOULD GET THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMED. I THINK IT SHOULD BE NISSIAN RECALL AND THEY SHOULD COVER IT.
Air bags, Traction control system, Engine, May 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS FLASHING AND THE TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Power train, Engine, May 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT HESITATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CVT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FLOORBOARD WAS CONSTANTLY DAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED/RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Engine, Feb 20, 2017
TIMING BELT TENSIONER MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR. THERE HAS BEEN NO MAINTANENCE LIGHTS GOING OFF INSIDE THE CAR AND AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOPPING POINT A STRONG BURNED RUBBER ODOR IS PRESENT.
Engine, Jan 29, 2017
WHEN I START THE CAR UP THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING MY CAR THERE IS A BURNED RUBBER SMELL AND IS MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN I GET FROM POINT A TO B AND EXIT THE CAR. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 17, 2016
AFTER FILLING VEHICLE UP AFTER STARTING AND SITTING FOR 30SEC ENGINE STALLS AND HAVE TO RESTART ENGIN
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2016
I NEVER WILL BUY A NISSAN
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 31, 2015
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA (2011) AND MY SISTER HAS A NISSAN MURANO (2013?). BOTH CARS REMAIN RUNNING WHEN THE "SMART KEY" IS REMOVED. MY CAR BEEPS 3 TIMES IF I GET OUT WITH THE KEY WHEN IT IS RUNNING, BUT NOT MUCH NOTIFICATION. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM YET, BUT MY SISTER, IN HER 80'S, HAS LEFT HER CAR RUNNING FOR HOURS FREQUENTLY SINCE SHE BOUGHT THE MURANO (AT LEAST 5 TIMES). WE BOTH KEEP OUR CARS IN A CLOSED IN BASEMENT AND IF LEFT RUNNING COULD BE DEADLY. OUR BEDROOMS ARE DIRECTLY OVER THE GARAGE. IT SEEMS LIKE A SIMPLE TIMER COULD BE USED TO TURN THE CAR OFF IF THE KEY IS REMOVED FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. AN OVER RIDE COULD BE PUT ON THE OPTION IF THE OWNER WANTS IT TO RUN LONGER FOR WINTER WARM-UPS OR WHATEVER. THE SOONER THE AUTO COMPLEX FIXES THIS THE FEWER RECALLS IN THE FUTURE. I REALLY WORRY ABOUT MY SISTER AND OTHERS NOT AS TECH SAVVY OR MAYBE WITH MEMORY/ATTENTION ISSUES. THE INCIDENT DATE ABOVE IS CLOSE TO THE DATE THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SINCE THIS ISSUE EXISTED THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT IT. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DANGER UNTIL MY SISTER REPEATEDLY LEFT HERS RUNNING UNKNOWINGLY. I'M SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT BE NISSAN SPECIFIC AND ALL COMPANIES WILL NEED TO FIX IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
Engine, Aug 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 18, 2015
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ASSOCIATED ENGINE CODE WAS P2A00 AND BOTH THE UPSTREAM (AIR/FUEL RATIO) AND DOWNSTREAM (OXYGEN) AIR SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST CLOSE TO $1,000 PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AFTER MANY OTHER COSTLY REPAIRS, INCLUDING MOST RECENTLY ANOTHER FILING WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHERE THE RACK & PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE THE CAR HAS A LOT OF MILES, THEY'RE MAINLY HIGHWAY MILES AND THE CAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. ADDITIONALLY PLEASE NOTE: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED ~33K MILES AGO. DURING THIS REPLACEMENT, SUPPOSEDLY, THE AFOREMENTIONED SENSORS SHOULD'VE BEEN CHECKED AND POSSIBLY REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Nov 12, 2014, crash
I WAS IN A BUMPER TO BUMPER ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SMOOCHED IN. MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL (MY SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED) KNOCKING THE AIR OUT OF ME, BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. EVERY TIME WE GET IT BACK WE GET THE SAME ANSWER "WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SENSOR". WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR CAR IN 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND WE ASKED THEM IF OUR CAR WAS ON THE AIR BAG RECALL LIST THAT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS. THEY TOLD US NOT TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS NOT ON THAT LIST. I ENDED UP IN URGENT CARE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH MUSCLES SPASMS AND A BRUISED CHEST. WHY DIDN'T MY AIRBAGS GO OFF?! *TR
Engine, Feb 27, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL. DRIVER PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WALKED TO WORK TO AVOID HAVING THE CAR DIE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. NONE OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE THE CAR THAT EVENING, IT COULD NOT BE STARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DESPITE BEING ONLY 3-YEARS OLD AND HAVING GONE JUST 60,022 MILES, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR HAD A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK! THE ENGINE HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. *TR
Engine, Jun 4, 2013, fire
I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE STEERING BECAME DISABLED AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED BLACK AND 60 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR LOST POWER IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 11, 2012
WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLAMPS & RUNNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND VEHICLE BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE, STRANDING DRIVER & RUNNING DOWN BATTERY DUE TO INABILITY TO TURN ANY LIGHTS OFF OR TURN VEHICLE OFF. NO CONTROLS RELATED TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE CONTROLLABLE. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE: 1. POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCHES DID NOT FUNCTION (NO EFFECT FROM PRESSING). 2. POWER WINDOW SWITCHES DID NOT FUNCTION (NO EFFECT FROM PRESSING). 3. PRESSING THE VEHICLE POWER / IGNITION BUTTON (MODERN EQUIVALENT OF STARTING KEY SWITCH) DID NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT, WHETHER SHORT OR LONG DURATION PRESSES WERE USED, AND REGARDLESS OF DELAY BETWEEN KEY PRESSES. 4. HEADLIGHTS & RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ON REGARDLESS OF THE SWITCH POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING STRANDED. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S LIGHTING WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THE BATTERY RAN DOWN, DISABLING THE VEHICLE FURTHER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER. NISSAN SERVICEMAN INITIALLY REFUSED TO WRITE THE CUSTOMER PROBLEM DESCRIPTION AS PER THE CUSTOMER DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. LATER, CUSTOMER CALLED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REQUEST THE CUSTOMER DESCRIPTION INCLUDE SPECIFIC AND CORRECT INFORMATION ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE CUSTOMER SUCH AS VEHICLE WAS "COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WHILE ALL THE WARNING LIGHT CAME [REMAINED TURNED] ON THE VEHICLE. DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK.", THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND TSB NTB12-041. DEALER RECORD READS: "REPROGRAMMED [SIC] BCM UPDATE AS PER TSB. VEHICLE IS NOW OPERATING AS DESIGNED [SIC] AFTER UPDATE." VEHICLE HAS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY SINCE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 24, 2012
2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH STARTING VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS, A MESSAGE INDICATED THE DOOR WAS OPEN, BUT IT WAS TIGHTLY CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THE FAN WAS RUNNING. A DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALER REVEALED A COMPUTER GLITCH.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION WHERE HE WAS AWAITING FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 25, 2012
VIN# - [XXX]. PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN LA. PURCHASED NEW ALTIMA FROM DEALER ON 2/1/11. BEFORE I REFILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I RETURNED THE CAR TO BE SERVICED ON 2/8/2011. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT THE SES LIGHT WAS FROM NOT CLOSING THE GAS TANK TIGHT ENOUGH (EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAD NEVER REFUELED THE CAR SINCE I HAD PURCHASED IT). THE LIGHT INDICATOR WAS RESET BY NISSAN SERVICE AND LATER THAT DAY IT CAME BACK ON. ON 6/23/11 I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN FOR SERVICE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RE-OCCURRING ISSUE WITH THE SES LIGHT. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR A FEW HOURS AND WHEN THEY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK THEY SAID THAT THY ADJUSTED A VALVE SETTING THAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER LEAVING THE SERVICE GARAGE THE SES LIGHT CAME BACK ON. ON 1/12/12 I RETURNED TO NISSAN SERVICE FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE AND INFORMED THEM AGAIN OF THE RE-OCCURRING SES LIGHT TISSUE. THIS TIME THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AGAIN. WHEN I RESPONDED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK HAD FAILED TO RESOLVE OR IDENTIFY THE ISSUE LAST TIME THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE. TO DATE THE SES LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAS ESSENTIALLY REMAINED ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR. FURTHERMORE I HAVE RENTED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2011 MODEL ON SEVERAL BUSINESS TRIPS WHERE I HAVE HAD TO REFUEL THE CAR AND I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED THE SES INDICATOR. THIS LEADS ME TO FURTHER BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SPECIFIC ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE I OWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR