2011 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 28%of 242 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,200miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Nissan Altima, 28% of the 242 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,200 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Nissan says my CVT transmission isnt covered by the extended warranty. My car has only 72,000 miles and is starting to show problems. I feel if it doesn't break now it will soon and feel they should honor the warranty that a law suit was filed. The rpms arent climbing when I accelerate and there is a noise when its between 30 and 40 miles an hr.”
NHTSA complaint #11307867, filed 2020-02, 72,000 miles“I bought a 2011 Nissan Altima and at 127,000 miles the transmission is slipping and when it warms up the car will not go over 50 MPH. Transmission will not shift. There should be a recall for these transmission from everything I'm finding out about them now. At this point with what this is costing I won't by another Nissan when they don't believe there's an issue with these transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11234661, filed 2019-07, 127,000 miles“I'm having issues with my transmission that are most likely leading to it needing to be replaced and after doing further research it seems there are hundreds of people with the exact same make and model and a lot with the same year or only a few years difference that have had the exact same issue. With this many people having the same issues I think Nissan needs to take responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11084547, filed 2018-04, 84,354 miles“My car started with a bad jerking motion when driving it. Then it started not wanting to pick up speed, but the RPM would go up. The first time it malfunctioned on me I was in the middle of traffic. I did not get injured because the cars behind me stopped in time.”
NHTSA complaint #11258811, filed 2019-09, 180,000 miles“I have a 2011 Nissan Altima. Car was acting up and so I took it to a firestone service center. They said it was the transmission and I should take it to a Nissan dealer. So, I took it to the Nissan dealer that I purchased the car from and they told me I needed a software update. Which they did for $153. Two weeks later while driving from ohio to tennessee, the transmission went out and I had it towed. The cost for repair will be $4800.00”
NHTSA complaint #11175911, filed 2019-02, 145,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING 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…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING 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…
- 10199148Jun 9, 2021CLICKING 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…
- 10116292Jun 20, 2017CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10091575Sep 9, 2016"altima, sentra, and rogue; cvt fail-safe condition service information this bulletin has been amended. The applied vehicles section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192605Jul 10, 2015IF 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…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE 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…
- 10052883Aug 15, 2014Nissan: the cvt fail-safe logic has caused a reduction with the vehicle's maximum speed. *js updated 11/16/2013 *js updated 9/29/14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 506 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Altima
42 complaintsEngine
36 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 30, 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