RoadVitals

2011 Nissan Cube Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Nov 11, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Cube, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical513.2%
  • Airbags513.2%
  • Body & structure37.9%
  • Seat belts25.3%
  • Driver assistance25.3%
  • Steering25.3%
  • Visibility12.6%
  • Fuel system12.6%
  • Interior & seats12.6%
  • Suspension12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On March 24, 2023 Friday, I was picking my child up when I noticed a loss of power and acceleration at the gas pedal. This was then followed by a loud, whining sound while in traffic. Luckily, we were not hit when the car lost power. I am mechanically inclined, and was able to deduct that the car went into limp mode. After further research, it is determined that the CVT transmission failed. This could have caused serious injuries to myself, my child, or whoever it may have impacted our vehicle, because of how it lost acceleration While in transit. Vehicle currently has 141,554 miles and it is a 2011 Nissan cube why does the recall affect 2009, 2010, it skips 2011 and then proceeds to carry-on from 2012 on up? What sense does this make , since it’s the same transmission in all of these vehicles? I am contacting Nissan USA to file a complaint, I have also confirmed this with an OBD two scanner. Today’s date is March 27, 2023.

NHTSA ID 11514002 · filed Mar 27, 2023

AT 110K MY CAR STALLED. MID SUMMER 2020 I STARTED MY CAR IT BEGAN TO DRIVE THEN STOPPED MOVING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON LIBERTY ST IN SPFLD, MASSACHUSETTS. I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD INTO THE CUMBERLAND FARMS THAT WAS TO THE LEFT FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WOULD START UP BUT THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN YOU PRESSED GAS IN DRIVE. IT WOULD TURN ON BUT WOULDN'T DRIVE. I HAD IT SENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED DUE TO CVT ISSUES THE BELT AND IT WOULD COST ESTIMATE OF $3500 TO REPLACE. I EMPTIED MY SAVINGS AND BOUGHT A NEW CAR. I STILL OWN MY NISSAN BECAUSE IT HAS LESS THAN 120K AND IS IN MINT CONDITION EXPECT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I PAID FOR TOES AND RENTALS WHILE MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT NISSAN AS WELL.

NHTSA ID 11349215 · filed Aug 14, 2020
All 15 reports naming powertrain (other)

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN EVEN U U TRY TO LOCK & UNLOCK,JUST HAPPEND OUT OF THE BLUE .ALSO THE RIGHT DRIVER WINDOW ONE ROLL DOWN . THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE WERE BOTH MY SUN VISOR DONT GO UP WHICH MAKE THAT A HAZARD TO SEE TRAFIC

NHTSA ID 11278585 · filed Nov 7, 2019

SINCE NOV OF 2014 I HAVE DEALT WITH PERSISTENT START-UP ISSUE WITH MY 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY CAN FAIL TO START AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM JACKIE COOPER & NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO SOLVE THE ISSUES DESPITE REPEATED VISITS TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO IGNORE THEIR OBLIGATION TO FIX MY VEHICLE AS STIPULATED BY THEIR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID 11099341 · filed Jun 2, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHERE SOMEBODY MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING 40 STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS BUT STILL HIT THE TURNING CAR. THE WHOLE FRONT CRUMPED SO THE CAR WAS TOTALED BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TT

NHTSA ID 11111630 · filed Jul 16, 2018

IS THE CUBE ON THE RECALL LIST AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT

NHTSA ID 11064153 · filed Jan 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2011 CUBE, REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. NO DOOR HANDLE IN SIDE OF VEHICLE, NO WAY TO OPEN. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, FROM OTHER CUBE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 11329636 · filed Jun 18, 2020

THE DOGBONE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE, BROKE AND THE ENGINE WELL DOWN AND I HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED, IT AFFECTED THE BRACKET TRANSMITTION MOUNTING, THE AXLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNTS. IT COSTS ME $1,112.41 TO REPAIR. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE CHECK MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.

NHTSA ID 11066516 · filed Feb 1, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGERS SEAT BELT BECAME UNBOLTED FROM BODY OF CAR. THE BOLT THAT HELD THE BOLT TO THE CAR AT THE FLOOR BY THE DOOR WAS JUST HANGING ON THE BELT. THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OF THREADS ON THE BOLT. IT MUST HAVE BEEN WORKING IT'S WAY OUT FOR A LONG LONG TIME THE PASSENGER WAS PUTTING ON THE BELT WHEN IT HAPPENED

NHTSA ID 11207561 · filed May 14, 2019

EVERY SO OFTEN THE AC OR THE FAN DOESN'T WORK AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT TIME. THEN IT WILL JUST START WORKING RANDOMLY USUALLY WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL UNCLICK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ID 11046242 · filed Nov 15, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE CONTACT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,752 .

NHTSA ID 10584471 · filed Apr 23, 2014

THE HORN IS NOT ABLE TO BE HEARD IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING BEHIND MY SISTER. NEEDING TO GET HER ATTENTION AS I NOTICED SHE HAD A FLAT ON HER CAR, I WAS HONKING THE HORN ON MY CUBE. SHE DID NOT HEAR THE HORN AT ALL. IF A PERSON IN A CAR CAN NOT HEAR THE HORN I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A SEMI TRUCK OR SUCH TYPE VEHICLE WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR MY HORN EITHER AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD NOT BE AVOIDABLE SINCE THE HORN WOULD NOT BE HEARD. ALSO THE HANDLING OF MY CAR IN ANY WINDY CONDITION IS NOT SAFE. IF YOU ARE DRIVING FASTER THAN 30 MPH AND IT IS WINDY OR A BIG GUST OF WIND SWEEPS BY I BETTER BE HOLDING ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT WITH BOTH HANDS. I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55 MPH, THE WIND HAS NOT BEEN THAT BAD BUT THE CAR HAS BEEN MOVING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I HAVE TO HOLD ON TO THE WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS AND FEEL THAT I REALLY DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A TEENAGER THAT HAS JUST STARTED DRIVING AND DO NO WAY FEEL SAFE LETTING HER TAKE THIS VEHICLE OUT. I DO NOT EVEN FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10469589 · filed Aug 7, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DOGBONE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE, BROKE AND THE ENGINE WELL DOWN AND I HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED, IT AFFECTED THE BRACKET TRANSMITTION MOUNTING, THE AXLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNTS. IT COSTS ME $1,112.41 TO REPAIR. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE CHECK MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.

NHTSA ID 11066516 · filed Feb 1, 2018

THE HORN IS NOT ABLE TO BE HEARD IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING BEHIND MY SISTER. NEEDING TO GET HER ATTENTION AS I NOTICED SHE HAD A FLAT ON HER CAR, I WAS HONKING THE HORN ON MY CUBE. SHE DID NOT HEAR THE HORN AT ALL. IF A PERSON IN A CAR CAN NOT HEAR THE HORN I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A SEMI TRUCK OR SUCH TYPE VEHICLE WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR MY HORN EITHER AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD NOT BE AVOIDABLE SINCE THE HORN WOULD NOT BE HEARD. ALSO THE HANDLING OF MY CAR IN ANY WINDY CONDITION IS NOT SAFE. IF YOU ARE DRIVING FASTER THAN 30 MPH AND IT IS WINDY OR A BIG GUST OF WIND SWEEPS BY I BETTER BE HOLDING ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT WITH BOTH HANDS. I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55 MPH, THE WIND HAS NOT BEEN THAT BAD BUT THE CAR HAS BEEN MOVING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I HAVE TO HOLD ON TO THE WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS AND FEEL THAT I REALLY DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A TEENAGER THAT HAS JUST STARTED DRIVING AND DO NO WAY FEEL SAFE LETTING HER TAKE THIS VEHICLE OUT. I DO NOT EVEN FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10469589 · filed Aug 7, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN EVEN U U TRY TO LOCK & UNLOCK,JUST HAPPEND OUT OF THE BLUE .ALSO THE RIGHT DRIVER WINDOW ONE ROLL DOWN . THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE WERE BOTH MY SUN VISOR DONT GO UP WHICH MAKE THAT A HAZARD TO SEE TRAFIC

NHTSA ID 11278585 · filed Nov 7, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The gas tank has malfunctioned and is leaking. According to the mechanic, it is the same issue related to the recall of the gas tank regarding the 2009-2010 Nissan Cube. My safety and others are put at risk because gas is leaking and causing a fire or an explosion. My mechanic confirmed the issue. At this point, the 2 Nissan dealers have not returned my phone calls. I need to get my car fixed as soon as possible. Gas is leaking from the site of failure. There were no warning lamps to signal that the gas tank was leaking gas. The only signs were the smell of gas and then discovering a puddle of gas pooling on the ground beneath my car.

NHTSA ID 11624590 · filed Nov 11, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER WEIGHING 120 LB SAT IN FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CAME ON, ALERTING TO LACK OF AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, AND AFTER VARYING LENGTHS OF TIME IN VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10515570 · filed Jun 6, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DOGBONE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE, BROKE AND THE ENGINE WELL DOWN AND I HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED, IT AFFECTED THE BRACKET TRANSMITTION MOUNTING, THE AXLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNTS. IT COSTS ME $1,112.41 TO REPAIR. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE CHECK MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.

NHTSA ID 11066516 · filed Feb 1, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .