NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 245 owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Altima (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: suspension. Most-described problem: transmission failure or replacement (22 complaints, 9%). Most-reported area: powertrain (69 complaints, 28%; median mileage when it happened: 100,100).
Fewer complaints than a typical Altima year
The 2011 drew 40 owner complaints in its first three years, against 70 for a typical Altima year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2013 to 2015; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The transverse link bolt may not have been torqued to the proper specification. This condition could cause the bolt to become loose while the vehicle is being driven, creating a rattling noise and vibration.
Risk: If the bolt comes out completely, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Nissan will replace the transverse link bolts and nuts and tighten them to the proper torque specification free of charge. The safety recall began on august 8, 2011. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 nissan altima sedan vehicles manufactured from april 25, 2011, through june 10, 2011 at the canton, mississippi plant.
NHTSA listing: ALTIMA.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2011 Nissan Altima.
What owners report
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Altima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Transmission failure or replacement22 · 9%
Median 95,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode17 · 7%
Median 95,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Median 100,100 miles at failure, from 54 reports with mileage
Engine38 · 16%
Median 79,000 miles at failure, from 22 reports with mileage
Electrical system33 · 13%
Median 35,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Body structure27 · 11%
Most named: body (25) · Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Air bags21 · 9%
Median 38,400 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Suspension15 · 6%
Steering14 · 6%
Unknown or other40 · 16%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Nissan Altima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2011 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Altima drew the most (556) and the 2011 drew 40.
Owner complaints
2011: 245 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Nissan Altima
Model year
Complaints
2010
393
2011
245
2012
426
2013
2,312
2014
1,114
2015
954
2016
553
2017
391
2018
225
2019
232
2020
179
2021
70
2022
30
2023
29
2024
41
2025
7
2026
1
Safety recalls
2011: 1 recallTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Nissan Altima
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
1
2012
4
2013
12
2014
8
2015
10
2016
4
2017
3
2018
2
2019
7
2020
6
2021
2
2022
0
2023
0
2024
1
2025
2
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Altima, the problems described most are transmission failure or replacement (22), loss of power or limp mode (17), and shaking, shuddering or vibration (14). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2011 Nissan Altima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2011 Nissan Altima earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2011 Nissan Altima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2011 Nissan Altima.
How do I check if my Altima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Nissan dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.