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2011 Nissan Altima Engine Problems

22 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

22
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2012Dec 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (22)

mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2023

Your 2011 Altima jerks while driving and shows a check engine light. You temporarily fixed it by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and mass air flow sensor, but the problem may return. The dealer didn't diagnose or repair the issue, and Nissan said your vehicle isn't covered by the related emissions recall. The fix likely involves replacing or cleaning the mass air flow sensor, or reprogramming the engine control module.

NHTSA #: 11509329
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2020

TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING BAD

NHTSA #: 11385510
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,918.

NHTSA #: 11376285
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

POSSIBLE CVT TRANSMISSION OVER-HEATING/FAIL-SAFE ISSUE? I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS AND MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A 'WHIRRING' NOISE AND I HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 70 BUT AS MUCH AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, IT WOULD BARELY GET PASSED 50MPH. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI-TRUCK AS WE APPROACHED A HILL BECAUSE I COULD BARELY GET UP IT. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET THE CAR REST FOR A WHILE. I HAD TO DRIVE ANOTHER 2 HOURS TO GET HOME AND AFTER ANOTHER HOUR, IT DID THE SAME THING. SOON AFTER, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD SUGGEST WAS TO GIVE ME A NEW TRANSMISSION! I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT POSSIBLY ADDING A SECONDARY COOLING SYSTEM WOULD HELP BUT THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. FROM MY RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT A REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING IS THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION PRODUCES TOO MUCH HEAT FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM TO HANDLE AND EVENTUALLY GOES INTO A FAIL-SAFE MODE THAT CAPS THE ACCELERATION POWER OF THE CAR, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING DAMAGED. I COULD UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THE FAIL-SAFE TO KICK IN IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES BUT NOT AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS AT REGULAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WHICH AFFECTS BOTH NEW AND OLDER CARS AND NISSAN CHOOSES TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR MORE THAN AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT STARTS TO MAKE THAT 'WHIRRING' NOISE AND I KNOW IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THE FAIL-SAFE KICKS IN. THIS HAS BEEN BEYOND DISAPPOINTING AND EVEN MORE SO THAT NISSAN WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPROVE THEIR CVT ISSUES AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. I OWN MY CAR OUTRIGHT BUT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. NO OPTION FOR THAT ROUTE. VERY INCONVENIENT.

NHTSA #: 11218837
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2019

DEFECT IN IN THE ECM. WENT TO WORK CAR STARTED FINE AND WHEN I WENT OUT FOR LUNCH PUSH THE START BUTTON ALL LIGHTS CAME IN IN THE DASH BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED ON FRANKFORD AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19135 ON 5/1/2019.

NHTSA #: 11205265
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2018

CAR STALLS OR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA #: 11154358
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 80-85 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFETY MODE AND DECELERATED TO 70 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLAGSTAFF NISSAN (4960 E MARKETPLACE DR, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86004, (928) 522-6386) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. IN ADDITION A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,836.

NHTSA #: 11124389
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN 24 (1016 BELMONT ST, BROCKTON, MA 02301, (508) 588-9520) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,640.

NHTSA #: 11119705
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2018

I WAS DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT AND OUT OF NO WHERE, MY CAR STARTS JERKING AND SPUTTERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO THE DROP OFF TERMINALS. I LOST ALL ACCELERATION CONTROL AND COULDN'T EVEN MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. TURNS OUT 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS VERY COMMON CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS UNABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT JERKING, SPUTTERING, OR EVEN MOVING. I CALL THE 1-800 NUMBER FOR NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT DOWN AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY CAN REVIEW IT WITH NO GUARANTEE OR PROMISE OF A POSITIVE OUTCOME. TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE REPLACED ARE AROUND $4000.

NHTSA #: 11101625
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BEN MYNATT NISSAN, 629 JAKE ALEXANDER BLVD S, SALISBURY, NC 28147, (704) 633-7270) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ISSUED 8 TSBS ON THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA #: 11064804
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2017

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.

NHTSA #: 11056571
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2017

TIMING BELT TENSIONER MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR. THERE HAS BEEN NO MAINTANENCE LIGHTS GOING OFF INSIDE THE CAR AND AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOPPING POINT A STRONG BURNED RUBBER ODOR IS PRESENT.

NHTSA #: 10955625
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2017

WHEN I START THE CAR UP THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING MY CAR THERE IS A BURNED RUBBER SMELL AND IS MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN I GET FROM POINT A TO B AND EXIT THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10948372
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2016

AFTER FILLING VEHICLE UP AFTER STARTING AND SITTING FOR 30SEC ENGINE STALLS AND HAVE TO RESTART ENGIN

NHTSA #: 10926788
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2016

I NEVER WILL BUY A NISSAN

NHTSA #: 10919731
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 10749987
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ASSOCIATED ENGINE CODE WAS P2A00 AND BOTH THE UPSTREAM (AIR/FUEL RATIO) AND DOWNSTREAM (OXYGEN) AIR SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST CLOSE TO $1,000 PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AFTER MANY OTHER COSTLY REPAIRS, INCLUDING MOST RECENTLY ANOTHER FILING WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHERE THE RACK & PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE THE CAR HAS A LOT OF MILES, THEY'RE MAINLY HIGHWAY MILES AND THE CAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. ADDITIONALLY PLEASE NOTE: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED ~33K MILES AGO. DURING THIS REPLACEMENT, SUPPOSEDLY, THE AFOREMENTIONED SENSORS SHOULD'VE BEEN CHECKED AND POSSIBLY REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10695205
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2014

WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL. DRIVER PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WALKED TO WORK TO AVOID HAVING THE CAR DIE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. NONE OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE THE CAR THAT EVENING, IT COULD NOT BE STARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DESPITE BEING ONLY 3-YEARS OLD AND HAVING GONE JUST 60,022 MILES, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR HAD A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK! THE ENGINE HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10566407
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Jun 2013

I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE STEERING BECAME DISABLED AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED BLACK AND 60 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR LOST POWER IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10515044
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2012

2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH STARTING VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS, A MESSAGE INDICATED THE DOOR WAS OPEN, BUT IT WAS TIGHTLY CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THE FAN WAS RUNNING. A DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALER REVEALED A COMPUTER GLITCH.

NHTSA #: 10467462
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION WHERE HE WAS AWAITING FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA #: 10454881
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2012

VIN# - [XXX]. PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN LA. PURCHASED NEW ALTIMA FROM DEALER ON 2/1/11. BEFORE I REFILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I RETURNED THE CAR TO BE SERVICED ON 2/8/2011. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT THE SES LIGHT WAS FROM NOT CLOSING THE GAS TANK TIGHT ENOUGH (EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAD NEVER REFUELED THE CAR SINCE I HAD PURCHASED IT). THE LIGHT INDICATOR WAS RESET BY NISSAN SERVICE AND LATER THAT DAY IT CAME BACK ON. ON 6/23/11 I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN FOR SERVICE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RE-OCCURRING ISSUE WITH THE SES LIGHT. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR A FEW HOURS AND WHEN THEY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK THEY SAID THAT THY ADJUSTED A VALVE SETTING THAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER LEAVING THE SERVICE GARAGE THE SES LIGHT CAME BACK ON. ON 1/12/12 I RETURNED TO NISSAN SERVICE FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE AND INFORMED THEM AGAIN OF THE RE-OCCURRING SES LIGHT TISSUE. THIS TIME THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AGAIN. WHEN I RESPONDED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK HAD FAILED TO RESOLVE OR IDENTIFY THE ISSUE LAST TIME THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE. TO DATE THE SES LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAS ESSENTIALLY REMAINED ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR. FURTHERMORE I HAVE RENTED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2011 MODEL ON SEVERAL BUSINESS TRIPS WHERE I HAVE HAD TO REFUEL THE CAR AND I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED THE SES INDICATOR. THIS LEADS ME TO FURTHER BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SPECIFIC ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE I OWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10445148

Other 2011 Nissan Altima Issues