Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
2325–50K
2750–75K
2775–100K
43100–150K
12150K+
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
What owners actually said
241 reports
1,545 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Power TrainCrashInjury
I HAVE A NEW 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA SL WHICH I PARKED IN MY CHURCH PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO CHURCH. AT THE END OF MASS, AS I WAS LEAVING THE CHURCH AND WALKING TOWARD THE PARKING LOT, I USED MY AUTOMATIC START...THE CAR STARTED AND WAS WARMING UP. AS I APPROACHED MY RUNNING CAR, I WALKED IN FRONT OF THE CAR TO GET AROUND TO THE D…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A NEW 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA SL WHICH I PARKED IN MY CHURCH PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO CHURCH. AT THE END OF MASS, AS I WAS LEAVING THE CHURCH AND WALKING TOWARD THE PARKING LOT, I USED MY AUTOMATIC START...THE CAR STARTED AND WAS WARMING UP. AS I APPROACHED MY RUNNING CAR, I WALKED IN FRONT OF THE CAR TO GET AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF MOVING FORWARD WITH NOBODY IN IT. I WAS HOLDING ONTO THE DOOR CHASING AFTER MY CAR TRYING TO JUMP IN AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS THE CAR RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED AND STILL RUNNING. THE PARKED CAR THAT IT HIT WAS DAMAGED. UPON IMPACT, I WAS THROWN AGAINST THE OPEN DOOR AND THEN ONTO THE PAVEMENT ON MY BACK/RIGHT SIDE. MANY PEOPLE WERE EXITING CHURCH AND GATHERED AROUND...IT IS FORTUNATE THAT NOBODY WAS HIT/RUN OVER BY THIS "RUN-AWAY" CAR. SOMEONE IN THE CROWD CALLED THE POLICE AND THE AMBULANCE...I WAS ON THE GROUND UNTIL BOTH ARRIVED. I WAS TREATED FOR MUSCLE AND SOFT TISSUE STRAIN/TRAUMA/ SPASMS. I MISSED A DAY OF WORK. MY INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACCURATELY PIN BLAME ON THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY...THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THE MANUFACTURER, NISSAN, HAD A COMPANY CALLED AUTO EXPRESS INSTALL AN AUTOMATIC START MECHANISM IN THE NEW CAR BEFORE DELIVERING THE CAR TO ME. RIGHT NOW, NISSAN IS BLAMING AUTO EXPRESS FOR A FAULTY "AUTOSTART MECHANISM" OR FAULTY INSTALLATION. AUTO EXPRESS IS BLAMING NISSAN FOR A FAULTY "PARK-NEUTRAL SWITCH." BOTTOM LINE: SOMETHING WAS DEFECTIVE...AND NOBODY WANTS TO ACCEPT BLAME. THE PARK-NEUTRAL SWITCH HAS BEEN CLEARED BY NISSAN. THE AUTOSTART HAS BEEN REMOVED BY AUTO EXPRESS. AUTO EXPRESS PAID FOR MY CAR REPAIRS AND RENTAL CAR. BOTH COMPANIES ARE AVOIDING ME... *TR
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 ↗