Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems

Owners filed 246 complaints about the 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid with NHTSA between Mar 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (69).

Complaints
246
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train69
  2. Engine38
  3. Electrical system34
  4. Structure27
  5. Air bags22
  6. Steering15
  7. Suspension15
  8. Vehicle speed control10
  9. Fuel/propulsion system10
  10. Service brakes8
  11. Engine and engine cooling6
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  13. Visibility/wiper4
  14. Seat belts4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20117
201215
201318
201413
201517
201622
201724
201838
201937
202011
202115
202211
20237
20245
20253
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

69 reports1 crash
“Hi my Nissan has 120k miles son it and the transmission is completely wrong don’t go more than 30 mph I take it to the shop to inspect and they told me that it need to be replace. It has code p1778 and code p0868 they told me that the transmission has no oil presure that it was a mechanical problem inside the transmission and that it was really common on that car becouse the cvt transmission”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2022Power trainODI 11498614

Engine

38 reports1 crash1 fire
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine Control Module (ECM) is malfunctioning, triggering persistent P0101 codes related to the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. This specific issue is addressed in Nissan Technical Service Bulletin DE97AA, which recommends an ECM reprogramming. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. ⸻ • How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the vehicle is at a complete stop and I attempt to accelerate, it becomes jumpy and unresponsive, refusing to accelerate properly. This creates a serious safety hazard, especially when trying to merge into traffic or cross intersections, as I am unable to match the speed of other vehicles. This increases the risk of being rear-ended or causing an accident due to unexpectedly slow acceleration. ⸻ • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An independent mechanic diagnosed the issue and confirmed the code P0101. After reviewing Nissan’s official TSB DE97AA, they advised me to go to a Nissan dealership to have the ECM reprogrammed…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11741855

Electrical system

34 reports2 crashes
“The contact's granddaughter owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while a granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction, followed by an abnormal sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where diagnosis revealed rack and pinion, power steering pressure sensor, and steering gearbox failures, requiring replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, the horn failed to function as intended, and power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was taken to an alternate independent mechanic, where diagnosis confirmed a broken air bag clock spring damaged during the initial repair. The vehicle was returned to the initial independent mechanic, who stated the replacement rack and pinion was defective. The rack and pinion and horn were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was approximately 161,059.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Steering, Air bags, Electrical systemODI 11771643

Structure

27 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that water was leaking from the bottom of the front driver’s and passenger side doors. Additionally, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2023Seat belts, StructureODI 11526682

Air bags

22 reports5 crashes
“Vehicle hydroplaned from heavy rain and wet road into a ditch alongside of the main highway & the airbags did NOT deploy. This IS a safety malfunction in the airbag system on a 2011 Nissan Altima.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11479161

Steering

15 reports2 crashes
“While driving on the highway the steering wheel locked keeping me from maneuvering the steering wheel. Independent service center diagnostics confirmed it was the power steering pump and sensor. Let the vehicle run into the curb. Then power steering fluid is still leaking out. When taken to the dealership they said to take it back to the independent service to have them find out where the leak is coming from. The dealership said it could be the copper screw or another part of the power steering.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2022SteeringODI 11497907
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.