Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 2011 Nissan Cube with NHTSA between 2012 and 2024.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Nissan Cube. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 77
15% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
27.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
311.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
27.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
725.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
27.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1037.0%
150,000+ miles
13.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2012peak 4Nov 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Nissan Cube
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Glendale, AZCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11111630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesKansas City, MOFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND LOUD MUFFLER/EXHAUST NOISE. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE MUFFLER I SAW A LARGE WHOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER AND THE MUFFLER HAD LOOSENED. THE MUFFLER POINTED UP SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER. THIS CAUSED IT TO IGNITE AND BURN A HOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER. I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE TO FILE A CLAIM AND THEY INFORMED ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A LARGER FIRE AND IGNITE THE FLOORBOARD OR THE MUFFLER COULD FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MUFFLER AND NECESSARY PARTS AT MY OWN COST OR WELD IT BACK, BUT IT WOULD BE THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO EASILY DEFECT IN THIS MANNER. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH CUBE'S AND OTHER NISSAN'S AROUND THE SAME YEARS OF PRODUCTION. SOME ISSUES APPEARED AS EARLY AS 12,000 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THE COST UNDER WARRANT, BUT MINE WON'THE SINCE IT HAS 70,000 MILES. I HAVE NO UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE SO THEY BELIEVE IT WAS RUSTED OUT BECAUSE OF SALTS ON THE ROAD TO TREAT ICE AND SNOW IN MY REGION.
NHTSA complaint #10874945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesKansas City, MOFire
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND LOUD MUFFLER/EXHAUST NOISE. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE MUFFLER I SAW A LARGE WHOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER AND THE MUFFLER HAD LOOSENED. THE MUFFLER POINTED UP SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER. THIS CAUSED IT TO IGNITE AND BURN A HOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER. I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE TO FILE A CLAIM AND THEY INFORMED ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A LARGER FIRE AND IGNITE THE FLOORBOARD OR THE MUFFLER COULD FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MUFFLER AND NECESSARY PARTS AT MY OWN COST OR WELD IT BACK, BUT IT WOULD BE THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO EASILY DEFECT IN THIS MANNER. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH CUBE'S AND OTHER NISSAN'S AROUND THE SAME YEARS OF PRODUCTION. SOME ISSUES APPEARED AS EARLY AS 12,000 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THE COST UNDER WARRANT, BUT MINE WON'THE SINCE IT HAS 70,000 MILES. I HAVE NO UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE SO THEY BELIEVE IT WAS RUSTED OUT BECAUSE OF SALTS ON THE ROAD TO TREAT ICE AND SNOW IN MY REGION.
NHTSA complaint #10874945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,180 milesOwensboro, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO AVOID IT. I CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE GUARD RAIL CRUSHING THE WHOLE FRONT END. (I HAVE PICTURES) THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. I BROKE TWO RIBS AND HAD CONTUSIONS ALL OVER THE FRONT OF MY BODY,FINGERS,ARMS,LEGS,ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10689823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Long Beach, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11624590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tomball, TX
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11514002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesWare, MA
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11349215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tahlequah, OK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #11329636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tahlequah, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11329636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wasco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11278585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wasco, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 complaint #11278585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesSpring Valley, NY
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11207561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHalfmoon, NY
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR STALLED OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. TRANSMISSION DIED AT 120,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11205022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN
UNDER 59,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY CVT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $3,400. BUMMER.
NHTSA complaint #11204678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesEL Paso, TX
POWER TRAIN
ONLY A 103K AN ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING SOUND AND THEN JUST SLIPPING. DROVE IT THIS WAY FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEN IT WOULDN'T START REMOVE AT ALL. HAD TO SINK IN $3,000 FOR A USED TRANSMISSION. A NEW ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER $4,000! EVEN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #11192693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesAshaway, RI
POWER TRAIN
CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. WILL NOT MOVE. CAR WAS RUNNING FINE I CAME TO A STOP, AND CAR WOULD NOT GO. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. NOW THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. NISSAN SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY IT IS THE FAULT OF THEIR CVT. I HAVE SEEN MANY MANY PEOPLE ON LINE WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11181788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesEL Cajon, CA
POWER TRAIN
MY CAT TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. I ONLY HAVE 101K MILES AND A NEW TRANSMISSION ISN'T IN MY BUDGET. PLEASE GET NISSAN TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 120K LIKE ON PREVIOUS MODELS. I HAVE 5 KIDS AND NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET THEM TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THE FIRST SIGN IS A HORRENDOUS WHINING SOUND. THEN SLIPPING AND FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11174880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 900,000 milesPalm Springs, CA
POWER TRAIN
2011 NISSAN CUBE WITH JUST UBDER 100,000 MILES WAS FINE ONE DAY AND THE NEXT BARELY ABLE TO PULL ITSELF. MADE STRANGE NOISE UPON REVVING THE ENGINE. HAD TO BE TOWED FOR SERVICE. ALMOST $4000 LATER I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS NISSAN PROPRIETARY AND CAN NOT BE REBUILT. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NISSAN IS CONTINUING TO HAVE CVT PROBLEMS. MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAD THE TRANSMISSON SERVICED AT 60,000. MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHY IT WOULD GO OUT EVEN IF PROPERLY MAINTAINED TO INSURE NO DUST OR DIRT GOT INTO THE FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #11153007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11111630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,940 milesTulsa, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11099341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,814 milesGlenn Dale, MD
STEERING
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 complaint #11066516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,814 milesGlenn Dale, MD
SUSPENSION
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 complaint #11066516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,814 milesGlenn Dale, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 complaint #11066516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plains, PA
AIR BAGS
IS THE CUBE ON THE RECALL LIST AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT
NHTSA complaint #11064153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11046242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11046242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesWorden, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CVT. AUTOCENTERS NISSAN (1825 E EDWARDSVILLE RD, WOOD RIVER, IL) STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CVT REPLACEMENT WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #11045836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL...HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OTHER INFO OTHER THAN 'MATCH FOUND', ALONG WITH THE STATEMENT THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SHOULD I TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER; OR WAIT TO HEAR SOMETHING FROM SOMEONE? USUALLY THE RESPONSES I HAVE RECEIVED STATE NOT TO EMAIL BACK TO THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11044758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesNorman, OK
POWER TRAIN
2011 NISSAN CUBE WITH 72,000 MILES ON IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SHAKES AND WHINES. MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS OCCURRING HAS GOTTEN NO HELP OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM NISSAN. THEY PUT UNSAFE TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR CARS AND REFUSE TO COVER THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10949551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.