Nissan›Altima Hybrid›2011›Overview/nissan/altima-hybrid/2011/base/

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Altima Hybrid.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is a passenger car built on the standard Altima platform and powered by a hybrid system paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios, with the engine requiring 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for maintenance. The vehicle achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg across city, highway, and combined cycles, positioning it competitively in its segment for efficiency. In terms of reliability, this model year recorded 241 owner complaints with Power Train issues being the most frequently cited concern, along with one safety recall issued. Compared to the complaint history spanning 2008 to 2010, which saw complaints drop dramatically from a peak of 1,601 in 2009 to a low of 392 in 2010, the 2011 Altima Hybrid represents a continuation of the improved reliability trajectory the model had begun to establish.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy33/33/33 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory battery and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-60TR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	165460Z000 alt 16546JA00B
Spark plug	22401EW61C alt 22401JA01B
Battery	24410JA80A discontinued
Front wiper blades	28890JA000 discontinued · alt 28890ZX00A
Serpentine belt	11720JA00B alt 11720JA80A
Thermostat	210496N220 alt 21049ED00A
Cabin air filter	27277JA00C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.6 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	109.4 in
Curb weight	3490 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	33 / 33 / 33 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	101 cu ft
Cargo volume	10 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.1 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	Except 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	Except 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm
Ignition Timing	12, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	62 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	107 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

31 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

31 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

32 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-90

32 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	completely loosen bolts in reverse order
4	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
5	75 degrees	75 degrees
6	75 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	103 degrees	103 degrees
5	103 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	103 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

bolts 1-6 upper intake bolts sedan model

18 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 105,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Altima Hybrid spans 2008–2010 and shows complaints spiking at 1,601 in 2009 before falling sharply to 392 in 2010, while recalls edged down from four to three and TSBs held near 121–140. The 2011 model’s top complaint categories are Power Train (55), Unknown or Other (29), Structure (17), and Electrical System (16), with 11 crash-related and 5 fire complaints reported; the data does not specify root causes. Because no 2011 totals appear in the year-by-year record, the 2011 model cannot be ranked precisely against the prior-year arc, but it follows a clear downward trend in overall complaints. Its leading issue counts are modest relative to the prior-year totals, suggesting it is likely less troubled than the 2008–2009 models, though not without risk. Takeaway: a 2011 Altima Hybrid can be a reasonable used buy if a qualified mechanic verifies the powertrain and electrical systems first, but the absence of full 2011 federal totals means you should inspect carefully rather than rely solely on the trend.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

131

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

241

Owner complaints

11 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’08 ’09 ’10

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 241 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train55

Unknown Or Other29

Structure17

Electrical System16

Air Bags15

Engine13

Suspension8

Steering7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V371000SuspensionReported 19/07/2011

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 131 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima Hybrid. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 165460Z000 Spark plug 22401EW61C Battery 24410JA80A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Altima Hybrid take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Altima Hybrid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Altima Hybrid get?

EPA figures are 33 city / 33 highway / 33 combined mpg.