CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $4,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,498 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Nissan Altima engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 192024

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving it's difficult for the car to shift gears, also a burning smell comes from the engine after driving long distance.

- Roselle, NJ, USA

problem #6

May 032014

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
I get the P0101 code that indicates a mass air flow issue. While driving the car cuts off, stalls, sputters. Often the car can be restarted, but it contines to stutter, or shut off. The issue has occurred while driving on nyc streets and on highways, usually while driving on straight roads. It has also occurred while making a turn. The mechanic changed the mass flow sensor and the vehicle was fine for a few months. Then the issue started again. This repeatedly happens throughout the year. Changing the mass air flow part does not help it. The issue has occurred since 2014, of course usually in may when it's time to get the inspection.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #5

Aug 022018

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
The cvt(transmission) of this model has a history of the transmission overheating and a warning light comes on. The manufacturer "fix" to this is to put in a cooling fan for the transmission at a cost of $1300. If the manufacturers transmission is known to overheat why doesn't Nissan pay for the cooling fan or fix and replace the cvt transmission.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jul 152018

Altima

  • 147,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle began making a whining noise during acceleration and then loss power on the interstate and would not go over 40mph even with the gas pedal depressed all the way making a very unsafe situation for my family. I've done research and found several other owners complaining of the same issue and receiving no assistance from Nissan on this obvious safety issue.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #3

May 202015

Altima

  • 79,528 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. While driving 60 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the speed reduced automatically and the rpms increased without warning. The contact exited off the highway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, shifted the gear into drive; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate and could not be driven. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer (herb gordon Nissan, 3131 automobile blvd, silver spring, md 20904) where it was diagnosed that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-647-7261 and opened a claim and case number: 28500795. The approximate failure mileage was 79,528.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #2

Dec 152016

Altima

  • 39,400 miles
2011 Nissan Altima sr sedan 3.5 cvt. When driving, cvt goes into safe mode with reduced acceleration, indicating a transmission issue and would also trigger vehicle dynamic control system fault.. original engine code was P0175. Had mechanic replace 31935-1xf00 speed sensor assy. Problem was not corrected. Took to local dealer and was told needs new transmission control module unit $850 and new transmission $3,500. Only 39,400 miles on vehicle (60,000 mile powertrain) but past he 60 month warranty by 5 months. Nissan will not cover. Nissan na Consumer Affairs contacted, researched and also denied. Will not cover and will not provide any partial assistance. Car is in excellent condition, driven lightly and no way transmission should need to be replaced at 39,000 miles. Manufacture date of vehicle is Dec 2010. Nissan extended cvt warranties to 10 years / 120K miles for several years because of the same and other cvt issues. Stopped extended warranty for 2011 models. Don't know if car is safe to drive or if transmission is going to fully fail. Took vehicle back from dealer, can't afford to fix. Now trying to replace transmission control unit with used same year/model. When vehicle is completely disconnected, trouble codes cleared and all electrical drained, then reconnected, all issues disappear for 10 to 20 miles of perfectly normal driving, then issues recur with cvt fail safe mode and vdc fault. Nissan should be recalling this issue and correcting it!! again don't know if vehicle is safe to drive or if transmission is going to fail in the middle of getting onto highway in heavy traffic? dealer diagnostic showed a number of codes: P0175 input speed sensor a (even though it has been replaced and new), P1700 cvt C/U funct, P1715 in puly speed, U1000 can comm circuit and also told the tcm is not sending a signal.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 132013

Altima

  • 24,559 miles
I was entering a parking space when the car suddenly accelerated causing me to drive over the parking curb and into a shrub. I was pulling slowly into the space and the car just lurched forward, I quickly hit the brake. Fortunately I was not hurt and there was no damage to the underside of the car.

- Tigard, OR, USA

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