Most common 2011 Nissan Cube problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Cube complaints by model year
Best Cube years: 2014, 2012. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Nissan Cube:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 Nissan Cube owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
On March 24, 2023 Friday, I was picking my child up when I noticed a loss of power and acceleration at the gas pedal. This was then followed by a loud, whining sound while in traffic. Luckily, we were not hit when the car lost power. I am mechanically inclined, and was able to deduct that the car went into limp mode. After further research, it is determined that the CVT transmission failed. This could have caused serious injuries to myself, my child, or whoever it may have impacted our vehicle, because of how it lost acceleration While in transit. Vehicle currently has 141,554 miles and it is a 2011 Nissan cube why does the recall affect 2009, 2010, it skips 2011 and then proceeds to carry-on from 2012 on up? What sense does this make , since it's the same transmission in all of these vehicles? …
At 110K my car stalled. Mid summer 2020 I started my car it began to drive then stopped moving at a traffic light on liberty st in spfld, massachusetts. I had to be pushed out of the road into the cumberland farms that was to the left front of me. My car would start up but there was no power when you pressed gas in drive. It would turn on but wouldn't drive. I had it sent to Nissan dealership and they confirmed the transmission had failed due to CVT issues the belt and it would cost estimate of $3500 to replace. I emptied my savings and bought a new car. I still own my Nissan because it has less than 120K and is in mint condition expect the transmission failure. I paid for toes and rentals while my car was serviced at Nissan as well.
Electrical system
Since nov of 2014 I have dealt with persistent start-up issue with my 2011 Nissan Cube. The vehicle simply can fail to start at any time and without warning. It has push button ignition. The dealership I purchased the vehicle from jackie cooper & Nissan north America. They have been unable and unwilling to solve the issues despite repeated visits to their service department. They are attempting to ignore their obligation to fix my vehicle as stipulated by their warranty.
Rear back door does not open even u u try to lock & unlock,just happend out of the blue .also the right driver window one roll down . The other problem that happen out of the blue were both my sun visor dont go up which make that a hazard to see trafic
Air bags
I was on my way home from work when a deer jumped in front of me. I tried to avoid it. I crashed my car into the guard rail crushing the whole front end. (I have pictures) the airbags never deployed. I went to the hospital. I broke two ribs and had contusions all over the front of my body,fingers,arms,legs,etc.
Involved in a frontal crash where somebody made a left hand turn in front of me. I was going 40 straight on the road. Slammed on my breaks but still hit the turning car. The whole front crumped so the car was totaled but the air bags didn't deploy.
2011 Nissan Cube engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 26 / 30 / 28 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 29 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Nissan Cube a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Cube rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Cube at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Nissan Cube?
The transmission & drivetrain — 15 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (5) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Cube have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Nissan Cube. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Cube?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009 and 2010. See the full Nissan Cube years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Cube problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.