CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Nissan Cube powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Nissan Cube, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 48% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease (P/N 44003-7S000) to the hub bearing surfaces. NOTE: * Do not remove the axle from the hub or transmission for this bulletin * Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for model specific torque specifications. - For 2007-2013 Versa and 2013 LEAF vehicles, see the Service Procedure torque specifications on page 4. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe two CVT failure patterns on the 2011 Cube. The first is sudden, complete loss of propulsion: the vehicle starts fine, but when the driver presses the gas pedal, nothing happens, or it lurches violently as if downshifting. One owner stalled at a traffic light at 110K miles and had to be pushed off the road; another lost power on the interstate and nearly rear-ended a vehicle ahead. Failure occurs between 59K and 141K miles, with clusters around 100K–113K.
The second pattern is intermittent hesitation during acceleration from a stop. The pedal doesn't respond immediately, the car creeps forward slowly, then lurches. Owners report this can last weeks before the transmission fails completely. Many mention a loud whining or grinding sound as a warning sign.
Dealership diagnostics consistently point to CVT failure. Replacement costs run $3,400–$4,000; one owner paid roughly $3,000 for a used unit. Nissan states the CVT is proprietary and cannot be rebuilt. Owners note Nissan extended the transmission warranty to 120K miles for 2009–2010 Cubes but inexplicably excluded the 2011, leaving those owners unprotected and frustrated.
Same Nissan Cube powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure — loss of drive
Vehicle starts and runs but enters limp mode or complete loss of propulsion. Occurs without warning or after intermittent warning symptoms. Owners report the vehicle will not move when gas pedal is pressed, or stalls mid-operation.
When: Between 59,000 and 141,554 miles; most commonly reported around 100K-113K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power and acceleration at gas pedal; Vehicle will not move despite starting; Loud whining sound from transmission; Vehicle enters limp mode; Transmission shaking and whining; Slipping before complete failure
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (reported in at least one case at 55 mph failure)
Repairs/costs cited: CVT replacement quoted at $3,400–$4,000 by dealerships. One owner paid ~$3,000 for a used transmission. Dealerships report the CVT is proprietary and cannot be rebuilt. One owner had transmission fluid service at 60K miles but still experienced failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined to extend warranty to 120K for 2011 model year (warranty extension exists for 2009–2010 models but excludes 2011). Owners report Nissan refused assistance. No recalls or TSBs mentioned by owners for 2011 Cube CVT failures.
CVT hesitation and delayed response on acceleration
Intermittent loss of responsiveness when accelerating from a stop or low speed. Vehicle hesitates, then lurches forward suddenly, mimicking a downshift. Can persist for weeks before total failure.
When: First reported as early as July 2012; failures documented through 2014 and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent slow acceleration from complete stop; Gas pedal not responsive initially; Sudden lurch forward after hesitation; Behavior mimics downshift; Near-accident incidents due to unpredictable acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's transmission was replaced in October 2014 but the hesitation recurred the following month. Dealership visits (3–4 documented) initially investigated without repair, then resulted in transmission replacement.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan cube. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission failed and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate…
2011 Nissan cube with just ubder 100,000 miles was fine one day and the next barely able to pull itself. Made strange noise upon revving the engine. Had to be towed for service. Almost $4000 later I was told the transmission is Nissan proprietary and can not be rebuilt. Very disappointed that Nissan is continuing to have CVT problems. My transmission went out even though the dealership I bought…
When attempting to accelerate from a complete stop our Nissan cube intermittently accelerates very slowly and is not responsive to depressing the gas pedal. The vehicle will then lurch forward as though it is down shifting and takes off. This has been reported and investigated by the dealer 3 - 4 times (first report in july 2012) with the most recent visit (oct 2014) resulting in a replaced…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan cube. The contact stated that the vehicle was not operable. The contact was able to start the vehicle, but it would not move. The failure occurred without warning. An independent mechanic was contacted and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new CVT. Autocenters Nissan (1825 e edwardsville rd, wood river, il) stated that the diagnostic test and CVT replacement…
Internal transmission failure , made a wide right turn and vehicle went into safe mode. CVT issue ... No check engine light ever came on warning for caution.
At 110k my car stalled. Mid summer 2020 I started my car it began to drive then stopped moving at a traffic light on liberty st in spfld, massachusetts. I had to be pushed out of the road into the cumberland farms that was to the left front of me. My car would start up but there was no power when you pressed gas in drive. It would turn on but wouldn't drive. I had it sent to Nissan dealership and…
My car stalled out of no where while driving to work. Transmission died at 120,000 miles.
Under 59,000 miles on my vehicle. The dealership told me my CVT needs to be replaced for $3,400. Bummer.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Nissan Cube?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Nissan Cube?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 72,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 101,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 72,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Nissan/Cube.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.