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
241 reports, newest first.
Suspension, May 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATED ONLY AFTER THE MECHANIC WORKED ON THE CAR THAT THE RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURRED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHELBY NISSAN LOCATED AT 631 S POST RD, SHELBY, NC 28152, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. *BF*JB
Power train, Mar 24, 2020
WHILE IN MOTION EXITING A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR SHOOK, AND STARTED TO LOCK UP THE WHEELS UNTIL THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION RELEASED AND HAD NO FURTHER RESPONSE. I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WAS DISABLED AS I HAD NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS DESPITE THE ENGINE RUNNING PERFECTLY. CAR WAS FREE WHEELING AS IT WOULD NOT REMAIN STATIONARY ON AN INCLINE ROAD (HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BREAK TO RESTRAIN THE CAR AS WHEELS WERE FREE WHEELING IN PARK. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND HAD OTHER CARS BEEN AROUND OR NEXT TO ME I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE THE SHAKING WAS OCCURRING UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION RELEASED AND STEERING WAS REGAINED WHILE COASTING.
Power train, Mar 22, 2020
AT 97,000 MILES THE NISSAN DEALER RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION OIL FLUSH. AFTER THE FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. I CHECK ON LINE AN IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN CVT (TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER TOLD US THEY WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, SO WE MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE ON 24 FEB 2020, BEGINS SLIPPING NOTICEABLE TWO WEEKS LATER. THE LACK OF POWER CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WHILE PULLING FROM INTERSECTIONS, OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Feb 8, 2020
NISSAN SAYS MY CVT TRANSMISSION ISNT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS ONLY 72,000 MILES AND IS STARTING TO SHOW PROBLEMS. I FEEL IF IT DOESN'T BREAK NOW IT WILL SOON AND FEEL THEY SHOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY THAT A LAW SUIT WAS FILED. THE RPMS ARENT CLIMBING WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THERE IS A NOISE WHEN ITS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES AN HR.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 20, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND THE CODE KEEPS COMING ON. IT ONLY STAYED OFF FOR A MONTH. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO IDLE ROUGH. I AM NOT SURE IF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE RELATED BUT THE ONLY LIGHT THAT COMES ON IS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CODE SHOWS P0101.
Power train, Nov 11, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUST FIVE YEARS AGO FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN CA. I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH BECAUSE I USE A WORK VEHICLE DURING THE WEEK. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH RATTLING, TRANSMISSION DELAYS AND SUDDEN SURGES IN POWER. A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CAR LOST ITS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE HEADING OVER THE GRAPEVINE TO SOCAL. THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! I HAD TO QUICKLY SWITCH LANES IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. ONCE IN THE SLOW LANE, THE CAR HELD UP TRAFFIC AND NUMEROUS ANGRY DRIVERS SPED AROUND ME. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!!! THE CAR ONLY HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN! TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR A 90K SERVICE. AN ADVISOR CALLED ME SEVERAL HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF MORE THAN $3,700. HE ALSO SAID THE CAR HAS SEVERAL HOSE LEAKS, ETC. THESE ARE SUSPICIOUSLY SIMILAR PROBLEMS OTHER DRIVERS REPORTED HAVING WITH THEIR 2013-2016 ALTIMAS AS WELL AS 2006-2010 ALTIMAS. WHY WAS THE 2011 LEFT OUT OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? I COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN MY ALTIMA SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY! IT COULD HAVE IMPACTED THE LIVES OF OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME! NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX ITS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. IT'S BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE! THE COMPANY ALSO NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMERS - IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE THEM FOREVER! I CAN NOT BELIEVE MY CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN IT HAS UNDER 96,000 MILES! I HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY LAST TIL 365,000 MILES! I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A NISSAN!!! YOU JUST MAY PUT LIVES AT RISK!
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 1, 2019
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, MY HOOD IS PEELING LIKE CRAZY.... SPOKE TO A BODY SHOP OWNER AND HE STATED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.... I'M NOTICING CHIPS IN THE PAINT EVERY... POOR JOB ON 2011 ALTIMA'S
Power train, Sep 29, 2019
MY CAR STARTED WITH A BAD JERKING MOTION WHEN DRIVING IT. THEN IT STARTED NOT WANTING TO PICK UP SPEED, BUT THE RPM WOULD GO UP. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED ON ME I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I DID NOT GET INJURED BECAUSE THE CARS BEHIND ME STOPPED IN TIME.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR SHAKES A LOT OR ENGINE SHAKES SOMETIMES CAR DOESENT START PROBLEM HEPENS STATIONARY IN MOTION ON THE CITY HIGHWAY AND TURNING
Power train, Sep 24, 2019
THIS SEEM LIKE A BIG ISSUE WITH NISSAN VEHICLES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WHEN OUR CAR GOT TO 90,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTER OVERHEAT CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE SPEED WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY NOT GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN THE CAR
Power train, Sep 13, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS UNDER 110K MILES ON IT AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT NISSAN HAS OFFERED TO THE 2010 ALTIMAS. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED IN 2011 AND AS A RESULT, MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Power train, Sep 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED, AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. CARRIAGE NISSAN (2400 BROWNS BRIDGE RD, GAINESVILLE, GA 30504, (678) 944-8663) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Power train, Sep 7, 2019
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AFTER DRIVING AN HOUR AND A HALF. TRANSMISSION GOES IN TO FAIL/SAFE MODE AND LEAVES ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER SOLD IT TO ME WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2019
THE DASHBOARD TO MY VEHICLE HAS GOTTEN STICKY. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT GETS STUCK TO IT (BUGS, PAPER, ETC.) EVEN THE WINDSHIELD COVER TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN GETS STUCK TO IT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THE GLARE/REFLECTION FROM,THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, PIECES ON THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD ARE COMING OFF WHEN I CLEAN IT. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES OF MY VEHICLES DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2019
CAR SHAKING WHEN PARKED OR STOP A A STOPLIGHT AND RATTLING WHEN DRIVING
Structure, Aug 12, 2019
THE DASH ON MY 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA IS STARTING TO MELT AND GET VERY STICKY. A BAD GLARE IS STARTING TO APPEAR IN MY WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. I CANNOT CLEAN THE DASH BECAUSE ANYTHING IT TOUCHES STICKS TO THE DASH. I CONTACTED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY CANNOT HELP ME REPLACE IT UNLESS I PAY FOR THE DASH. THIS IS NOT SAFE!
Power train, Aug 10, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 115000 MILES CAR WONT ACCELERATE
Structure, Jul 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND EXTREMELY STICKY. THE FAILURE CREATED A CHEMICAL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE VEHICLES OR EVEN PEDESTRIANS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERFORMANCE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1345 FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33062, (954) 446-8772) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT REPLACING THE DASHBOARD WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. PIIR = Y.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 26, 2019
MY 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A MELTED DASHBOARD AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE IS A TERRIBLE GLARE FROM THE DAMAGED DASHBOARD AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. SEE THE ATTACHED PICTURES. I CONTACTED NISSAN NAT'L AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THEY WOULD HELP ME. THEY HAD ME GET DIAGNOSIS ON THE DASH AND CLEAR COAT, THEN TOLD ME NO, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY!!? I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. NISSAN HAS ALREADY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THESE TWO ISSUES FOR MODELS UP TO 2009, SO THEY KNEW THE DASH AND CLEAR COAT WERE BAD, YET THEY SOLD NEW MODELS ANYWAY!
Power train, Jul 24, 2019
I BOUGHT A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA AND AT 127,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WHEN IT WARMS UP THE CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 50 MPH. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE TRANSMISSION FROM EVERYTHING I'M FINDING OUT ABOUT THEM NOW. AT THIS POINT WITH WHAT THIS IS COSTING I WON'T BY ANOTHER NISSAN WHEN THEY DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSION.
Structure, Jul 24, 2019
THE DASH IN MY CAR IS MELTING AND CAUSING A FILM FROM THE CHEMICALS TO FORM ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO CAUSES A GLARE WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. THE DASH IS ALSO GOT A SOLID CRACK AROUND THE CLUSTER AREA
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 18, 2019
FUELING THE VEHICLE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES. SOMETIMES THE PUMP WOULD SHUT OFF PRIOR TO BEING FULL AND I WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY HOLD IT TO GET TANK FULL. TODAY I ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK AND IT WOULD ONLY STAY ON FOR A FEW SECOND AND THEN THE NOZZLE WOULD COME OUT IF THE TANK AND SPRAY GAS ALL OVER. ATTEMPTED TO FILL SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME OUTCOME. I HAD THE GAS STATION MANAGER COME OUT BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS THEIR PUMP THAT WAS THE ISSUE. I NOW ONLY HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GO 57 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2019
TRANSMISSION JERKING WHILE IN MOTION OR IDLE. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT BESIDES THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY MODULE (MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR) REPROGRAMMED AND THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. WELL THAT DID NOT WORK AND STILL HAVE ISSUES SO RIGHT NOW I'M DRIVING ON A WING AND A PRAYER
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2019
CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN MOTION
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 13, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING PAST 2ND GEAR BEING TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL MISFIRE AND CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK UNTIL IT WAS ABLE TO HIT 2ND. THAT WAS REPAIRED BY OUR LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING AWAY AND HAS BECOME SLIMY AND STICKY. IT IS WORKING IT'S WAY DOWN TO THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AND AIR VENTS. I'M SURE THAT IS SOME SORT OF HAZARD.