2011 Nissan Altima Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 4 — 2007–2012.

20102012
Complaints
317
per 10K Sold
11.8
US Sales
268,981
Crashes
18
Fires
8
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2011 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#167 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:99,936 mi
Crash-related:1
#235 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:76,765 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#330 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:39,408 mi
Crash-related:2
Considering a 2011 Nissan Altima?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Nissan Altima.

Transmission / Drivetrain
67
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
99,936
Engine Problems
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,765
Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,408
Body Structure
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,314
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
56,924
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,641
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
73,320
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,818
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
31,390
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
71,748
Electronic Stability Control
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
87,850
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Firerelated
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Nissan Altima

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~20,000 vehicles.

11V371000Suspension
~20,000 affected

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.

Other Nissan Altima Years

2011 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2011 Nissan Altima has 317 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 67 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (67 complaints, avg 99,936 mi); Engine Problems (35 complaints, avg 76,765 mi); Electrical Faults (30 complaints, avg 39,408 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,128 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Nissan Altima include 18 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 20,000 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Nissan Altima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2011 Nissan Altima

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99