2011 Nissan Altima: check engine light

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

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.

Filed Jul 3, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

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.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact disconnected and reconnected the battery and the mass air flow sensor to correct the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to Emissions Recall Campaign Number: R1720 (Non-Methane Organic Gases (NMOG) Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2022 · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at normal speed, he noticed that smoke started to spread throughout the vehicle when the vehicle inadvertently caught fire. The check engine warning light illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle performed as if the gear shifter was in neutral(N). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2021 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the transmission lost functionality with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they referred her to a dealer since the vehicle was under warranty. The contact then drove to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 17, 2021 · Transmission · CA

My car was all morning in the parking lot of my apartments and it was time to go to work, then i started my car and drive it around 2 minutes of driving it engine light on (always) and the stability light turn on which it never happens. I accelerate because was taking a turn it did not rpm over 2,500 like it need it something so the only way to get up to speed was doing low rpm which can be dangerous when need to turn and cars are coming in front of you and can happen with any notice Nissan need to make it right and fixing their cvt transmission failing so early and deny to fix its problems with its customers.

Filed Dec 20, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · AR

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 1,345 miles · CA

Engine light on car shakes a lot or engine shakes sometimes car doesent start problem hepens stationary in motion on the city highway and turning

Filed Oct 12, 2018 · CA

I got two lights one for air from tires and the other one for check engine soon. I fix the problem but the lights still on

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Transmission · 52,300 miles · FL

My 2011 nissan altima has less than 53,000 miles, for the past several months I keep getting a check engine light that comes on and then goes away after about a week. When checked the code it is giving is p0826 which indicates "a problem in the electrical circuit of the upshift/downshift switch to the transmission range correlation circuit. This circuit includes the switch, wiring, connectors, and mode actuator, and is used on vehicles that have manually shiftable automatic transmissions. This light comes on at all times and will go out after a week or so.

Filed Dec 26, 2017 · Engine · 72,000 miles · PA

Service engine light remains on. Code po101. Mass air flow. Changed the air filter, and the maf sensor but light remains on bulentin ntb12-051d regarding this issue states should get the engine control module reprogramed. I think it should be nissian recall and they should cover it.