2011 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 15%of 242 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,069miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Nissan Altima, 15% of the 242 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,069 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving for about 45 min or more and maybe a little hotter than usual, and you are driving on a freeway or highway, the speed will lock at 65 or under, it will not let you go any higher, when it locks it slows down fast like if hitting the breaks, this is so dangerous when on freeway we have been so close to accidents because of this, we travel on the car, and it has done it a lot lately, we know nothing of why it's this way.”
NHTSA complaint #11113715, filed 2018-07, 40 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11101625, filed 2018-06, 123,728 miles“Went to start my car.in the dashboard was a key light.car wouldn't start look up things that could be the problem saying something about steering lock.the car was sitting at my house .”
NHTSA complaint #11121910, filed 2018-08, 158,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218837, filed 2019-06, 96,000 miles“I have a Nissan Altima (2011) and my sister has a Nissan murano (2013?). Both cars remain running when the smart key is removed. My car beeps 3 times if I get out with the key when it is running, but not much notification. I have not had a problem yet, but my sister, in her 80's, has left her car running for hours frequently since she bought the murano (at least 5 times). We both keep our cars in a closed in basement and if left running could be deadly. Our bedrooms are directly over the garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10760353, filed 2015-08, 52 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
- 10074565Nov 25, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10192478Nov 25, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Starting with 2010 Model Year, Nissan vehicles have been gradually incorporating a new type of DTC known as Permanent DTC or P-DTC. If a vehicle is equipped…
- 10044780Jun 18, 2014Nissan: with regards to certain model vehicles, no drivability concerns when mil is on for mass air flow sensor (maf) stored in ecm. *pe updated 07/22/2014
- 10192293Jan 13, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement Engine Control Modules (ECMs) for many newer Nissan vehicles are now "Blank" ECMs. Blank ECMs come without software and must be programmed (not…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 20% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 6 | 9% |
| 2020 | 37 | 20% |
| 2019 | 48 | 21% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 39 | 10% |
| 2016 | 86 | 16% |
| 2015 | 66 | 7% |
| 2014 | 77 | 7% |
| 2013 | 158 | 7% |
| 2012 | 68 | 16% |
| 2011 | 36 | 15% |
| 2010 | 50 | 13% |
| 2009 | 107 | 7% |
| 2008 | 54 | 5% |
| 2007 | 31 | 7% |
| 2006 | 166 | 20% |
| 2005 | 141 | 13% |
| 2004 | 30 | 11% |
| 2003 | 117 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Altima
68 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology