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2011 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

173 reports with mileage · 68 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports7 injury reports

Suspension complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2023
Suspension

Loud noise from driver-side rear while driving. I discovered the rear crossmember (aka subframe) is badly corroded and there is a complete break/failure of the unit. This is unsafe. I have worked on cars for over 40 years and I have never seen such an inexcusable failure.

NHTSA ODI #11508477

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2021
Suspension

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while her grandmother was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake forcefully. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to drive to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she a…

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The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while her grandmother was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake forcefully. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to drive to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she also experienced the failure on 2013. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown bolts to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V371000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11439456

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

No incident, but I am prevent one from happening. My C.V.T. Transmission is winning in 1st gear, CVT stands for {continuously variable transmission}. I need to let up on the gas pedal each time it's supposed to shift.. Even if you don't know much about how a transmission works, you have probably heard of the manual and the auto…

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No incident, but I am prevent one from happening. My C.V.T. Transmission is winning in 1st gear, CVT stands for {continuously variable transmission}. I need to let up on the gas pedal each time it's supposed to shift.. Even if you don't know much about how a transmission works, you have probably heard of the manual and the automatic. The CVT is the newest type of a transmission. It is sometimes referred to as the shiftless transmission and is a type of automatic, a steady RPM constant even if the vehicle is accelerating rapidly in a passing scenario, for example, the CVT knows the optimal engine speed is pretty high (typically around 5,000 RPM or less on the tachometer), so it shifts you up there as soon as you put the gas petal down...In a passing scenario, for example, the CVT knows the optimal engine speed is pretty high (typically around 5,000 or less RPM's on the tachometer), so it shifts you up there as soon as it is ready ! Shifting this car is like its going to exploded !! I had it serviced at Nissan as soon I perchance it.. The cost was $250.00 for the transmission flush with new oil, no change and I am sick of riding like this thinking my investment can be left on a high way ...

NHTSA ODI #11428444

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Power TrainSuspension

I bought this car 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5s Feb -2021 ....Now the transmission I had serviced at Colonial Nissan Altima in Medford Mass. in March 2021..which is a C.V.T. Transmission and 1st gear is acting wrong... Driving it I need to let up on the gas pedal to shift gears, I did call 30 days after my service...They told me to …

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I bought this car 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5s Feb -2021 ....Now the transmission I had serviced at Colonial Nissan Altima in Medford Mass. in March 2021..which is a C.V.T. Transmission and 1st gear is acting wrong... Driving it I need to let up on the gas pedal to shift gears, I did call 30 days after my service...They told me to drop it off and leave your car here and we will get to it, we are backed up with C.V.T. Transmissions !!! I NEED DIRECTION TO HANDLE THIS...PLUS A RECALL.. Transverse Link Bolt MAY NOT Have Been Torqued TO THE Proper Specification....AND I did snap a strut 1 month owning this car,, Thank you !

NHTSA ODI #11427821

170,000 miles · Jul 7, 2021
Suspension

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brakes serviced and was informed that the rear suspension subframe cross member was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagno…

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The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brakes serviced and was informed that the rear suspension subframe cross member was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11423821

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2020
SuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER GRANDSON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. FIRST THE REAR END MADE CONTACT AND THEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BANGED INTO THE WALL. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER GRANDSON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. FIRST THE REAR END MADE CONTACT AND THEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BANGED INTO THE WALL. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING, PART OF HIS INTESTINE REMOVED, CHIPPED BONE ON HIS RIGHT KNEE. AND MULTIPLE GLASS FRACTURE REMOVED FROM HIS BODY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SLIGHT CONCUSSION AND RIGHT ANKLE WAS FRACTURE NEEDING SURGERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF A FAILURE CAUSE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V371000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB*DT*JB *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI #11326493

125,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Suspension

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11325061

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2018
Suspension

VEHICLE NEEDED FRONT BEARINGS AT 62K AND REAR BEARINGS AT 156K. DID THEY GET THESE BEARINGS FROM CHINA? NEVER HAVE PUT BEARINGS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED.

NHTSA ODI #11156886

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2017
Suspension

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.

NHTSA ODI #10957719

51,087 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Fuel System, GasolineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY TROUBLE BEGAN AS I SAT AND FUELED MY CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF GAS THAT I HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS. I FILLED MY TANK, STARTED MY CAR AND IT STARTED HUFFING AND PUFFING AS IF IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STOPPED. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY I HEARD THIS LOUD RATTLING NOISE AS…

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MY TROUBLE BEGAN AS I SAT AND FUELED MY CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF GAS THAT I HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS. I FILLED MY TANK, STARTED MY CAR AND IT STARTED HUFFING AND PUFFING AS IF IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STOPPED. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY I HEARD THIS LOUD RATTLING NOISE AS IF A CHAIN OR SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND OR BEING RATTLED. I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND LOWERED MY RADIO TO LISTEN AND AS I SAT IDLE IN DRIVE I COULD HEAR THIS RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD FURTHER IT CONTINUED THEN STOPPED. I THEN PARKED MY CAR AND AS I WAS IN REVERSE THE SOUND CAME BACK. I WENT ON ABOUT MY DAY AND RETURNED TO MY CAR TO START IT UP AND AS I STARTED IT I HEARD THE RATTLING LOUD NOISE AGAIN. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND IT CONTINUED. AS I DRIVING AROUND AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30-40 I COULD HEAR THE NOISE COME AND GO. I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS FINE. A FEW DAYS LATER I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO NISSAN INFORMING THEM THE NOISE IS CONTINUING AND MY CAR SHAKES AND JERKS. I LEFT MY CAR AND THEY CALLED AND SAID MY ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JUST A COUPLE DAYS PRIOR THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE SO NOW I'M CONFUSED. I TOOK MY CAR TO 3 SEPARATE AUTO SHOPS AND HAD THEM TEST MY ALTERNATOR AND ALL 3 SAID MY ALTERNATOR, BATTERY AND STARTER WERE WORKING PERFECTLY. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD THE SAME ISSUES I HAVE AND THERE IT WAS. A RECALL FOR THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT. I'M PISSED THAT NISSAN WOULD TRY TO RIP OF A CUSTOMER LIKE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10935570

Official recalls

1

11V371000 · Suspension

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems