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.
Power train, Feb 23, 2018
MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S, AT 123,000 MILES, BEGAN LOSING POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN BUSY TRAFFIC. MY CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED. I HAD MY CAR HAULED TO MY HOME, BY A TOW TRUCK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE VIN #. THIS PARTICULAR YEAR (2011), WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST , BUT PREVIOUS YEARS HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (CVT TRANSMISSION). I READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING NISSANS TROUBLE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN ALL NISSAN CARS FOR ALL YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THERE WERE PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS, BUT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE MY CAR'S YEAR (2011) WASN'T ON THE LIST. I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY CAR, KEEPING UP WITH THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. ANY CAR LOSING POWER IN BUSY TRAFFIC IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT BROUGHT AGAINST NISSAN. IT IS FREQUENTLY TALKED ABOUT ONLINE. A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF NISSAN CUSTOMERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE (CVT TRANSMISSION) IN ALL OF THEIR CARS, NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES THE CARS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN. PLEASE HAVE NISSAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION THAT THEY CHOSE TO INSTALL IN ALL OF THEIR CARS, WHICH WAS A BIG MISTAKE AND A DANGER TO THE NISSAN DRIVERS AND THE PUBLIC. CVT TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH ARE EQUIVALENT TO A PULLEY /CHAIN SYSTEM, DO NOT BELONG IN CARS. A MORE DURABLE/APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED IN THEIR CARS TO KEEP THE NISSAN DRIVERS AND THE PUBLIC SAFE FROM HARM OR DEATH. THIS ISSUE IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC, ATTEMPTING TO BE REPAIRED WITH A USED CVT TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS ALL I COULD AFFORD AT THIS TIME. I FEEL IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER IT'S USED OR NEW, IT'S STILL A CVT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. RENTING A CAR NOW. I WILL UPLOAD THE REPAIR BILL WHEN THE REPAIR IS COMPLETED.
Power train, Feb 7, 2018
WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE, IT IS NOT GETTING POWER; PER THE DEALERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
Engine, Jan 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BEN MYNATT NISSAN, 629 JAKE ALEXANDER BLVD S, SALISBURY, NC 28147, (704) 633-7270) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ISSUED 8 TSBS ON THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
Power train, Jan 23, 2018
IN JANUARY 2018, I TOOK MY NISSAN ALTIMA TO A NEARBY AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER EXPLAINING THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING. WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE AND WOULD STAY IDLE UNTIL SECONDS PASSED TO WHICH POINT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT WHIL DRIVING ON INTERSTATES AND LOCAL ROADS. THE NISSAN DEALER (PORTER NISSAN IN NEWARK DE) INDICATED THE DESPITE MY HAVING BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE REGULARLY (MOST RECENTLY IN DEC. 2017 AND JULY 2017) THEY INDICATED PREVIOUS DIAGNOSTIC TESTS HAD NOT FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPAIRS. THEY INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED $5,000 WHICH IS CLEARLY A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS GIVEN MY CAR HAS UNDER 85,000 MILES. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED AND SO.I CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND REPORTED THE CONCERN AND THEY HAVE OPENED A CASE NUMBER BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT APPEARS NISSAN HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO FEDERAL LAW SUITS STEMMING FROM TRANSMISSIONS DIFFICULTIES AND IN RESPONSE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FROM 100K TO 120 MILES FOR NISSAN ALTIMAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2003-2010. THEREFORE, I AM REPORTING THESE CONCERNS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION AND WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR GUIDANCE ON NEXT STEPS.
Power train, Dec 30, 2017
ON JULY 9, 2017 WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGH SPEED LINE. MY CAR WENT FROM DOING 65 MILES TO 10 MILES WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN. AND MY CAR STILL WILL NOT GO OVER 10 MILES. ALMOST GOT MYSELF KILLED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. 4 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. IT WONT GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS. HOW CAN A CAR JUST SHUT DOWN DRIVING. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS. NOW (STATELINE NISSAN EAST PROVIDENCE) DOES NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPEN I STILL HAD THE 30 DAYS WARRANTY. NOW MY WARRANTY RAN OUT, NOW THEY SAID IT IS GOING TO COST ME MONEY TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION. I THINK THIS IS WRONG WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO THEIR CUSTOMER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
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.
Power train, Dec 5, 2017
DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 55 MPH THE NISSAN ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE STATED WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. WE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND FOLLOWED ALL THE GUIDELINE FOR MAINTENANCE. I WAS QUIET SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSIONS. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 21 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HE WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS NOT A CAR BEHIND HIM. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR/REPLACE WAS 5300 BEFORE TAX. YES, I WAS SHOCKED. MY SON'S PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A 2002 ACURA THAT HE WAS STILL DRIVING UP UNTIL WE INSISTED HE DRIVE A NEW VEHICLE TO COLLEGE FOR HIS SAFETY.
Air bags, Nov 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TK HOLDINGS RECALL LETTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING SINCE JUNE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, Nov 17, 2017
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE PRE-OWNED IN 2014. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 120,000 MILES AND IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I STARTED TO NOTICE WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WOULD JOLT, THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WHEN I PUT IN DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR AND GOT THE VERHICLE TOWED BECAUSE I WAS SCARED, AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION IS BAD! THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE AND NOW SINCE THE BATTERY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION. ITS NOT FAIR THAT THEY ONLY COVER CERTAIN VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDE CVT TRANSMISSIONS (ALL SHOULD BE COVERED) THIS IS THEIR FAULT IN MAKING THESE VEHICLES THIS WAY AND I WISH I HAD KNOWN I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE SPEED REDUCED AUTOMATICALLY AND THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (HERB GORDON NISSAN, 3131 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-647-7261 AND OPENED A CLAIM AND CASE NUMBER: 28500795. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,528.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2017
YOU HAVE A NTB 13-088 REGARDING A TPMS ISSUE , SIMILAIR ISSUE I AM HAVING MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE. HOWEVER MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL. WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE NTB - 13-088 RECALL AND IF THAT IS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING IS THERE A WAY TO GET MY VIN # ADDED
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2017, fire
HELLO, MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE STARTING FROM THE ENGINE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2017
WHILE IN MOTION THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND IT WILL NOT LET US ACCELERATE ABOVE 2500 RPM. THE CAR JOLTS OR STUTTERS NOT CHANGING INTO A HIGHER GEAR. WITH IT BEING A CVT TRANSMISSION I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WORKS BUT THE ONLY WAY WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME FROM THE MIDDLE OF OUR TRIP BACK FROM GA DUE TO HURRICANE IRMA WAS TO USE THE OPTIONAL GEAR SHIFT MODE AND SLOWLY ACCELERATE THROUGH THE GEARS WHILE NOT GOING OVER 2500 RPM. MY BROTHER LOOKED INTO IT AND SAID IT MAY BE A FAULTY SENSOR.
Power train, Aug 16, 2017
FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A WHINING NOISE FROM MY CAR, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY BROTHER LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE HE WORKS ON CARS AND IS A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS MY TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.
Power train, Jul 19, 2017
NISSAN 2011 CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, NARROWLY ESCAPING A CRASH WITH ANOTHER CAR. COST TO REPLACE $+4000. 2003-2010 ALTIMA CVT OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSIONS AND GRANTED COMPLETE REIMBURSEMENT COVERAGE...5 YEARS/60,000 MILES CHANGED TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED $ SUPPORT FOR MY 2011 ALTIMA NOR WOULD THEY TELL ME WHETHER I HAD THE SAME CVT THAT THE 2010 MODEL HAD...IF IT WAS THE SAME CVT SHOULD I NOT BE GRANTED THE SAME COVERAGE/? THE CVT I HAD ENDANGERED MY LIFE WITHOUT ANY WARNING! A REVIEW OF OTHER DRIVERS AND LAW SUITS SUGGESTS THAT CVT IS A DANGER TO MORE THAN MYSELF. NISSAN HAS NOT RELEASED INFORMATION TO ME OR OTHER DRIVERS (ONE INTERNET ARTICLE STATED THAT A NISSAN CEO SAID THERE WERE NO CHANGES MADE??)
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 15, 2017
ALL 4 LOCKS SOMETIMES WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK, CREATING A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Power train, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2017
1) WHEN ACCELERATING FROM S STOP, MY CAR WILL JERK (LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING). IT WILL OFTEN JERK WHILE MY CAR IS IN MOTION AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS & FREEWAYS/HIGHWAYS. 2) THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE "HOOD LATCH" NOT LOCKING COMPLETELY. IT SOMETIMES LOOKS LIKE THE HOOD IS GOING TO POP OPEN WHEN DRIVING .
Power train, Jul 10, 2017
AT 93,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,700. THE ONLY REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION COST MORE THAN $2,500 IS SOLD BY NISSAN AND ONLY COMES WITH A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. WHY DOES THE 120,000 MILE WARRANTY STOP WITH THE 2010 MODEL WHEN THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS IN THE MODELS AFTER 2010?
Air bags, Jun 2, 2017
AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGERS SIDE IS STATING THAT AIRBAGS ARE OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER RIDING IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN FIRST NOTICED. NEVER CHANGED WHEN IN MOTION OR RESTARTING VEHICLE.
Power train, May 26, 2017
APPROXIMATELY 4-6 WEEKS AGO THE CAR STARTED TO JERK OCCASIONALLY. THEN IT BECAME MORE PREDOMINANT. WE JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD AND THAT THERE IS A HISTORY OF CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $3900. THE TRADE-IN VALUE IS $2000.
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.
Seat belts, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 12, 2017, fire
MULTIPLE MECHANICAL ISSUES INCLUDING THE HEAT. THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE AND I WAS STUCK DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AFTER IT GOT TOO BAD.
Suspension, Feb 28, 2017
MY 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA PRESENTED PROBLEMS OF LOUD NOISES AND VIBRATIONS. IT EVENTUALLY SOUNDED HORRIFIC. THE SOUND WAS WORSE FROM START TO STOP. UPON INSPECTION A BOLT CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE MOUNT AND MY ENGINE WAS MOVING AROUND.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2017
LOCKS/ LATCHES ARE NON RESPONSIVE.