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ProblemsByVin Index / 2011-NISSAN-ALTIMA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2011 Nissan Altima owner complaints

241 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 5 complaints shown

12/27/2016 60,000 mi ODI #10937726.0

My dashboard started melting!! In just the past month it has turned in to a shiny sticky mess that cannot be cleaned and impedes vision due to the reflection off the windshield. Very dangerous! I have contacted Nissan and am awaiting a response to see if they will help resolve the issue or not.

12/20/2019 ODI #11290247.0

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.

12/17/2018 155,000 mi ODI #11162044.0

The stability controls come on and then they don't go away and the car don't run anymore, it turns on and car is useless. The stability controls turn on and doesn't turn off again, I have to shut off the entire car for more than 3 minutes and when I start it back on it turns off. Not even the switch that say turn off doesn't work. Suddenly it turns on again and same cycle back again and the car just doesn't run.

12/15/2015 18,000 mi ODI #10810188.0

I own a 2011 Nissan altima. The problem I've been having since I got my car is when the speedometer hits 35mph it pulls back the RPM drops and loses speed. Also when I am in traffic I step on the gas gently and the car jerks it feels like a stick shift car when your up shiftting. It feels so uncomfortable knowing my car moves in exaggerated way. Another thing it has is the RPM rev high when I gently pressing on the gas pedal I have to let go of the gas pedal and press gently again I have to repeat that 2-3 times for the RPM to be at normal it has waste gas by doing this. I have taken my car to two dealership the first told me that it was normal for my car to do that I was not satisfied on how my car was acting. I took it back several times they finally said it could be the transmission my

12/13/2016 84,000 mi ODI #10935140.0

Sun roof exploded for no reason came to a complete stop at a red light started to excelerate to 45 MPH then a large boom sun roof shattered have a police report thought some one had shot at me but they had not according to police

powertrain 4 complaints shown

64 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/30/2017 ODI #11057526.0

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 tr

12/23/2021 ODI #11444843.0

Going down interstate, when you press the gas, vehicle hesitates if you are going faster than 40 miles an hour, motor didn't die but you are unable to go faster for a few seconds, this is very dangerous situation on our interstates. And this is happening on every trip that I am afraid to drive this car, its not trustworthy and I can't afford a new car in today's economy.

12/22/2022 ODI #11498614.0

Hi my Nissan has 120k miles son it and the transmission is completely wrong don’t go more than 30 mph I take it to the shop to inspect and they told me that it need to be replace. It has code p1778 and code p0868 they told me that the transmission has no oil presure that it was a mechanical problem inside the transmission and that it was really common on that car becouse the cvt transmission

12/05/2017 136,000 mi ODI #11052554.0

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.

steering 4 complaints shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/21/2018 96,000 mi ODI #11162904.0

Over the past couple of months the steering in my car has gotten tough. I thought it may have been the power steering pump. I took it to the shop and they couldn't find the problem, being that the power steering pump was working properly and the fluid level was good. Yesterday I was at the gas station getting fuel. As I was driving away, there was a sound similar to a balloon popping and the steering jerked to the right, almost hitting another vehicle, and the steering is so tough now that it is impossible to drive the vehicle. I looked up the problem online and lots of people with the same vehicle have the same exact problem. And there was a recall for that reason. My VIN doesn't show a recall, but it needs to.

12/18/2022 ODI #11497907.0

While driving on the highway the steering wheel locked keeping me from maneuvering the steering wheel. Independent service center diagnostics confirmed it was the power steering pump and sensor. Let the vehicle run into the curb. Then power steering fluid is still leaking out. When taken to the dealership they said to take it back to the independent service to have them find out where the leak is coming from. The dealership said it could be the copper screw or another part of the power steering.

12/05/2014 67,000 mi ODI #10662396.0

Steering wheel is peeling on the top and is soft to the point where at any given moment the foam will be in my hand.the car was a certified pre-owned vehicle by Nissan and bought at Nissan. They reviewed the defect to be replaced at "goodwill" but it did not qualify as a reason to a replace; even though it is a potential danger to the driver of the vehicle. *tr

11/30/2016 58,000 mi ODI #10928703.0

Ever since I purchased this car tire pressure sensor keeps coming on change all 4 tires brand new ones reset the computer and it still comes on the car swerves and it's sometimes hard to control after a certain speed I've learned that a 2011 Subaru had a recall on their suspension and I believe there is something wrong with this car I called the police on the 800 number put a complaint in they told me under this phone number there was really no recalls but they said to take it to a dealer have it diagnosed at my own expense which I can't really afford literally can't afford hefty bill from the Nissan dealer im disabled person living on fixed income basically finances vehicle to a friend all I'm asking from them is to have the dealer they're certified dealer to check the car for any safety

suspension 3 complaints shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
12/15/2016 51,087 mi ODI #10935570.0

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 b

12/07/2018 ODI #11156886.0

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.

12/04/2015 44,253 mi ODI #10808490.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and there was an abnormal rattling sound. The failure recurred on several occasions while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 11v371000 (suspension), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,253.

engine 1 complaint shown

22 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/26/2017 72,000 mi ODI #11056571.0

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.

body 1 complaint shown

21 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/13/2021 36,000 mi ODI #11443611.0

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky to the touch, causing a glare in the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the dashboard replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
12/13/2013 24,559 mi ODI #10555969.0

I was entering a parking space when the car suddenly accelerated causing me to drive over the parking curb and into a shrub. I was pulling slowly into the space and the car just lurched forward, I quickly hit the brake. Fortunately I was not hurt and there was no damage to the underside of the car. *tr

Showing 300 of 241 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Nissan/Altima#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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