2011 Nissan Altima Reliability
The 2011 Nissan Altima has 246 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and unknown or other. Compared with other Altima model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Altima's typical year, while the 2013 drew 2,315 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
246
NHTSA owner complaints
1
Recall campaigns
12
Complaints citing a crash
5
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Nissan Altima complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 69 | 28% |
| Unknown or other | 40 | 16% |
| Engine | 38 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 34 | 14% |
| Body structure | 27 | 11% |
| Air bags | 22 | 9% |
| Steering | 15 | 6% |
| Suspension | 15 | 6% |
2011 Nissan Altima recalls
1 recall campaign on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V371000 | Jul 19, 2011 | Suspension | 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. The transverse link bolt may not have been torqued to the proper specification. This… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby Altima years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Altima analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,601 | 4 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2010 | 393 | 3 | Electrical system | Caution |
| 2011 (this page) | 246 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2012 | 426 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2013 | 2,315 | 12 | Air bags | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 Nissan Altima
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 1 campaign above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Nissan Altima can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Nissan Altima reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Nissan Altima reliable?
The 2011 Nissan Altima has 246 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and unknown or other. Compared with other Altima model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Altima's typical year, while the 2013 drew 2,315 complaints.
What are the most common 2011 Nissan Altima problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Altima are powertrain / transmission (69), unknown or other (40), engine (38), electrical system (34). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2011 Nissan Altima, including 11V371000 (suspension). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Nissan Altima compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 393 complaints and 3 recalls (caution); the 2012 has 426 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2011 has 246 complaints and 1 recall.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Nissan Altima?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Altima research
Other Nissan Altima model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 Altima, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.