2011 Nissan Altima Driver assistance Problems

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 as outlined in the bulletin. ⸻ • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, but not yet by the manufacturer. The dealership is aware of the issue but has refused to perform the repair without payment. ⸻ • Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. The Check Engine Light is consistently triggered by code P0101, and the traction control warning light also comes on when the issue is active. The symptoms appeared recently and continue to recur even after the code is reset by standard non-dealership methods like unplugging the battery.

NHTSA ID

11741855

Incident

May 20, 2026

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 as outlined in the bulletin. ⸻ • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, but not yet by the manufacturer. The dealership is aware of the issue but has refused to perform the repair without payment. ⸻ • Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. The Check Engine Light is consistently triggered by code P0101, and the traction control warning light also comes on when the issue is active. The symptoms appeared recently and continue to recur even after the code is reset.

NHTSA ID

11671150

Incident

Jul 3, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11584172

Incident

Apr 19, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11415531

Incident

May 3, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAVE REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND THE CODE KEEPS COMING ON. IT ONLY STAYED OFF FOR A MONTH. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO IDLE ROUGH. I AM NOT SURE IF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE RELATED BUT THE ONLY LIGHT THAT COMES ON IS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CODE SHOWS P0101.

NHTSA ID

11290247

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED, THE LIGHTS OF THE PANEL LOWER THE DENSITY. NOW STARTS THE LIGHT OF THE AIR BAG OF THE PASSENGER, RIGHT SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11170966

Incident

Jan 31, 2014

THE STABILITY CONTROLS COME ON AND THEN THEY DON'T GO AWAY AND THE CAR DON'T RUN ANYMORE, IT TURNS ON AND CAR IS USELESS. THE STABILITY CONTROLS TURN ON AND DOESN'T TURN OFF AGAIN, I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENTIRE CAR FOR MORE THAN 3 MINUTES AND WHEN I START IT BACK ON IT TURNS OFF. NOT EVEN THE SWITCH THAT SAY TURN OFF DOESN'T WORK. SUDDENLY IT TURNS ON AGAIN AND SAME CYCLE BACK AGAIN AND THE CAR JUST DOESN'T RUN.

NHTSA ID

11162044

Incident

Dec 17, 2018

Mileage

155,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11118368

Incident

Aug 2, 2018

Mileage

75,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11111459

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

11041674

Incident

May 20, 2015

Mileage

79,528 mi

WHILE IN MOTION THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND IT WILL NOT LET US ACCELERATE ABOVE 2500 RPM. THE CAR JOLTS OR STUTTERS NOT CHANGING INTO A HIGHER GEAR. WITH IT BEING A CVT TRANSMISSION I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WORKS BUT THE ONLY WAY WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME FROM THE MIDDLE OF OUR TRIP BACK FROM GA DUE TO HURRICANE IRMA WAS TO USE THE OPTIONAL GEAR SHIFT MODE AND SLOWLY ACCELERATE THROUGH THE GEARS WHILE NOT GOING OVER 2500 RPM. MY BROTHER LOOKED INTO IT AND SAID IT MAY BE A FAULTY SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11023420

Incident

Sep 12, 2017

Mileage

128,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10946177

Incident

Dec 15, 2016

Mileage

39,400 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555969

Incident

Dec 13, 2013

Mileage

24,559 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT POWER DRIVE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10500033

Incident

Dec 5, 2012

Mileage

29,000 mi