Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact disconnected and reconnected the battery and the mass air flow sensor to correct the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to Emissions Recall Campaign Number: R1720 (Non-Methane Organic Gases (NMOG) Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle performed as if the gear shifter was in neutral(N). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
It started about 2 months ago that the RPM was revving when it came to the gears shifting. I would accelerate and the car would barely move and the transmission was making a whirring sound. The Service Engine Soon light came on so I took my car to O Reilys and the code for the stepper motor came back. I had the stepper motor replaced in my transmission but I am having the same issue. My Mechanic told me that my Transmission is failing and I would need a brand new one.
I was on my way to work driving on the freeway and suddenly I felt a sort of shaking from the car. I then exited the freeway and approached a red light. When the light turned green, my car moved some but then was stalled so I was stuck in the middle of an intersection. Luckily, I wasn't too far from my job and I was able to eventually ease my way the next few miles. I was later told by a mechanic that it was my transmission that needed to be replaced .
Going down interstate, when you press the gas, vehicle hesitates if you are going faster than 40 miles an hour, motor didn't die but you are unable to go faster for a few seconds, this is very dangerous situation on our interstates. And this is happening on every trip that I am afraid to drive this car, its not trustworthy and I can't afford a new car in today's economy.
I was driving in early n all of a sudden car started slowing down n there's other cars n I have my kids in car was very scary I started praying n calling on Jesus N car slowly started taking off again I just bought used car I'm very worried I hope someone reads this and calls me I never experienced this .
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine Control Module (ECM) is malfunctioning, triggering persistent P0101 codes related to the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. This specific issue is addressed in Nissan Technical Service Bulletin DE97AA, which recommends an ECM reprogramming. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the vehicle is at a complete stop and I attempt to accelerate, it becomes jumpy and unresponsive, refusing to accelerate properly. This creates a serious safety hazard, especially when trying to merge into traffic or cross intersections, as I am unable to match the speed of other vehicles. This increases the risk of being rear-ended or causing an accident due to unexpectedly slow acceleration. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine Control Module (ECM) is malfunctioning, triggering persistent P0101 codes related to the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. This specific issue is addressed in Nissan Technical Service Bulletin DE97AA, which recommends an ECM reprogramming. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the vehicle is at a complete stop and I attempt to accelerate, it becomes jumpy and unresponsive, refusing to accelerate properly. This creates a serious safety hazard, especially when trying to merge into traffic or cross intersections, as I am unable to match the speed of other vehicles. This increases the risk of being rear-ended or causing an accident due to unexpectedly slow acceleration. …
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. It seems like a simple timer could be used to turn the car off if the key is removed for more than 5 minutes. An over ride could be put on the option if the owner wants it to run longer for winter warm-ups or whatever. The sooner the auto complex fixes this the fewer recalls in the future. I really worry about my sister and others not as tech savvy or maybe with memory/attention issues. …
I was in a bumper to bumper accident and the front end of my car was smooched in. My chest hit the steering wheel (my seat belt was buckled) knocking the air out of me, but my airbags did not deploy. We have taken our car into the dealership several times to complain about the passenger airbag sensor. Every time we get it back we get the same answer "we don't see anything wrong with the sensor". We recently took our car in 2 weeks prior to the accident and we asked them if our car was on the air bag recall list that was all over the news. They told us not to worry about anything because our car was not on that list. I ended up in urgent care after the accident with muscles spasms and a bruised chest. Why didn't my airbags go off?!
Engine complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Nissan Altima, 17% of the model year's 242 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Nissan Altima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Nissan Altima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Altima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.