2011 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 69 of 245 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 392 in 2010 to 245 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–3,700 | 1,850–2,950 | 1,900–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,000–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–34 | 21–34 | 21–33 | 21–26 | 25–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–35 / 26–33 | 18–35 / 27–33 | 18–33 / 27–33 | 18–23 / 27–32 | 22–27 / 30–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 261–423 | 261–423 | 269–423 | 342–423 | 290–354 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,601 | 392 | 245 | 425 | 2,309 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 38 | 25 | 12 | 24 | 63 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 9 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 37 | 9 | 26 | 48 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Altima have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Nissan Altima?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 69 of 245 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 21–33 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $1,900–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 33 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | $1,900 (low) | 269 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 69 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 20 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 24 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 42 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SUSPENSION · Campaign 11V371000 · Jul 25, 2011
Defect: 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 CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.