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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

241 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2019
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11255312

80,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Power Train

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 (2…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11255040

122,530 miles · Sep 7, 2019
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11253797

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2019
Unknown Or Other

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11244829

125,000 miles · Aug 17, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CAR SHAKING WHEN PARKED OR STOP A A STOPLIGHT AND RATTLING WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11244612

50,000 miles · Aug 12, 2019
Structure

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. T…

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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!

NHTSA ODI #11243428

55 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 115000 MILES CAR WONT ACCELERATE

NHTSA ODI #11242985

30,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Structure

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 WA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11240855

74,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
StructureVisibility/wiper

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 …

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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!

NHTSA ODI #11235141

127,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Power Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11234661

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