NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
115 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · May 22, 2012
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOOSE ALL PRESSURE AND WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF AND LEFT PRIOR THE PRESSURE BUILDING BACK UP IN THE CLUTCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOOSE ALL PRESSURE AND WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF AND LEFT PRIOR THE PRESSURE BUILDING BACK UP IN THE CLUTCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH MANUAL GEAR BOXES. THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND GET SOMEONE KILLED. TT
NHTSA ODI #10459313
100,000 miles · May 22, 2012
Power Train
CLUTCH FAILURE - REPEATED, TEMPORARY CLUTCH FAILURE. FREQUENCY IS UNPREDICTABLE AND RANDOM - SOMETIMES MONTHS APART BETWEEN OCCURANCES. DURATION OF OCCURANCE HAS NOT EXCEEDED 10 MINUTES, THEN CLUTCH BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL AND CAN DRIVE NORMALLY. PETAL "STICKS" TO FLOOR AND MUST BE PULLED UP BY HAND IN ORDER TO ENGAGE AND CHANGE…
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CLUTCH FAILURE - REPEATED, TEMPORARY CLUTCH FAILURE. FREQUENCY IS UNPREDICTABLE AND RANDOM - SOMETIMES MONTHS APART BETWEEN OCCURANCES. DURATION OF OCCURANCE HAS NOT EXCEEDED 10 MINUTES, THEN CLUTCH BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL AND CAN DRIVE NORMALLY. PETAL "STICKS" TO FLOOR AND MUST BE PULLED UP BY HAND IN ORDER TO ENGAGE AND CHANGE GEARS. ALL PARTS OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAVE BEEN REPLACED (PETAL, MASTER AND SLAVE HYD. CYLINDER, CORRODED BLEEDER VALVE) AND PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459225
108,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE. IT'S A ONE-OWNER, AND WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN RELATIVELY DEPENDABLE--MY ISSUE IS THIS: I NOTICED A METAL "WHIRRING" SOUND AROUND 50000MI WHENEVER I WOULD PULL OUT FROM AN IDLE POSITION. I INQUIRED ABOUT THE NOISE THROUGH A MECHANIC EMPLOYED WITH THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE. IT'S A ONE-OWNER, AND WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN RELATIVELY DEPENDABLE--MY ISSUE IS THIS: I NOTICED A METAL "WHIRRING" SOUND AROUND 50000MI WHENEVER I WOULD PULL OUT FROM AN IDLE POSITION. I INQUIRED ABOUT THE NOISE THROUGH A MECHANIC EMPLOYED WITH THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM--OF COURSE, THE MECHANIC SAID--"THOSE THINGS TEND TO BE A LITTLE NOISY BY NATURE, ON OCCASION!" SO, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY "OCCASIONALLY NOISY" ALTIMA FOR ANOTHER 58000 MILES. JUST PAID THE THING OFF 2 MONTHS BEFORE MY MAJOR ISSUE OCCURRED. I APPARENTLY WAS A FORTUNATE NISSAN OWNER (EVEN THOUGH I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT)--BECAUSE APPARENTLY ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. SEEMS THE CHAIN GETS A LITTLE "USED" AND BEGINS MAKING THE NOISE I EXPERIENCED, AND THEN CAN ULTIMATELY COMPLETELY FAIL. NEEDLESS TO SAY...I HAVE A $2,000.00+ REPAIR ON MY HANDS.THE MECHANIC I AM HIRING SAID THAT MOST NISSANS WITH TIMING CHAIN ISSUES FAIL LONG BEFORE MINE DID (MILEAGE-WISE!).MY PROBLEM IS WITH NISSAN, BECAUSE NISSAN IS AWARE OF THESE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES, AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT THEM. MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON A RECALL THOUSANDS OF MILES AGO, BUT WASN'T...BECAUSE NISSAN HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO OVERLOOK SOME VERY IMPORTANT MECHANICAL ISSUES. I NEED A TIMING CHAIN, OR MY CAR IS OF NO USE WHATSOEVER TO ME.THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR MY TIMING CHAIN IS NOT THE ORIGINAL PART THAT WAS PUT ON MY CAR FROM THE FACTORY! IMAGINE THAT! NISSAN KNOWS THAT THEY PUT "BUM" PARTS ON OUR ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS WHEN THEY WERE BUILT IN THEIR FACTORIES! --- I SAY NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE EVERY SINGLE TIMING CHAIN THAT THEY PUT ON OUR AMERICAN-BOUGHT NISSAN CARS--AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMERS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454606
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKS WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKS WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10445556
109,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AS I WAS DRIVING FROM DELAWARE TO NEW YORK, I HIT THE I-95 AROUND 5PM; TYPICAL RUSH OUR TIME. AS I BEGAN TO APPROACH HEAVY TRAFFIC I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN. BY THE TIME MY SPEED DECREASED TO 25MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF AND THE CAR FELT LIGHT AS IF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF AND LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLING DOWN A HILL. IND…
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AS I WAS DRIVING FROM DELAWARE TO NEW YORK, I HIT THE I-95 AROUND 5PM; TYPICAL RUSH OUR TIME. AS I BEGAN TO APPROACH HEAVY TRAFFIC I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN. BY THE TIME MY SPEED DECREASED TO 25MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF AND THE CAR FELT LIGHT AS IF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF AND LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLING DOWN A HILL. INDEED THE CAR HAD STALLED, AND ALL MY DASH LIGHTS SWITCHED ON (ALT, OIL, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS). I TRIED MY BEST TO STEER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433724
10,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Power Train
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, MY CLUTCH MEDAL BECOMES VERY LOSE (OR PERHAPS LOSES THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE?) AND DROPS, SUCH THAT I CAN ONLY CHANGE GEARS WITH THE LAST INCH OR SO OF THE PEDAL. SOMETIMES IT GETS SO BAD THAT THE PEDAL DROPS ALL OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS …
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WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, MY CLUTCH MEDAL BECOMES VERY LOSE (OR PERHAPS LOSES THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE?) AND DROPS, SUCH THAT I CAN ONLY CHANGE GEARS WITH THE LAST INCH OR SO OF THE PEDAL. SOMETIMES IT GETS SO BAD THAT THE PEDAL DROPS ALL OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON HOT DAYS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN SPONTANEOUSLY. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY SUMMER THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE IT FOR A MECHANIC OR THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS THUS NOT ABLE TO GET IT FIXED WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #10417629
92,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413971
60,000 miles · Jun 5, 2011
Power Train
1. FOR THE PAST YEAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES TO THE FLOOR DURING PERIODS OF INCREASED USE. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK. CLUTCH WOULD STILL ENGAGE UNTIL FRIDAY JUNE 3RD, 2011. CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE IN TRAFFIC. 2. FAILURE STARTS DURING INCREASED USE, HEAVY TRAFFIC, & DURING HOT DAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN AIR CON…
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1. FOR THE PAST YEAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES TO THE FLOOR DURING PERIODS OF INCREASED USE. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK. CLUTCH WOULD STILL ENGAGE UNTIL FRIDAY JUNE 3RD, 2011. CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE IN TRAFFIC. 2. FAILURE STARTS DURING INCREASED USE, HEAVY TRAFFIC, & DURING HOT DAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS USED. INCIDENT STARTED OCCURRING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY, HAPPENING NOW AT LEAST 5 TIMES A WEEK. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES A DAY. WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED I WAS IN TRAFFIC & UNABLE TO SHIFT ANY GEARS. 3. MANAGED TO DRIVE CAR TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. HAVING IT REPLACED NOW. CAR IS ONLY AT 60,000 MILES. NISSAN FORUMS HAVE MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10404497
7,500 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE CLUTCH DROPS DOWN TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT IF POSSIBLE TO PUT IT IN A GEAR. IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT PUT THE CAR IN 1ST GEAR AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO GET WITH NISSAN TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND ALL THEY SAY IS T…
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WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE CLUTCH DROPS DOWN TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT IF POSSIBLE TO PUT IT IN A GEAR. IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT PUT THE CAR IN 1ST GEAR AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO GET WITH NISSAN TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND ALL THEY SAY IS THAT THEY CAN NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO REPEAT FOR THEM. IT USUALLY CORRECTS ITSELF FROM AROUND ONE HOUR TURNED OFF TO A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE CLUTCH WOULD GET BACK TO THE NORMAL POSITION. THIS HAS PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN A VULNERABLE SITUATION WHERE I HAD ALMOST VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND STRAIGHT INTO A GAS STATION. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING. ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE INFAMOUS CLUTCH DROPPING DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHERE YOU CAN NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL!
NHTSA ODI #10396322
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2011
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IN 2006 WITH 13, 000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH A "SPONGY" CLUTCH...MEANING IT WOULD BECOME VERY LOOSE. OFTEN IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PUMPED AND THEN SHOVED INTO GEAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER COMPLAINING OF THE ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH. THEY HAD I…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IN 2006 WITH 13, 000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH A "SPONGY" CLUTCH...MEANING IT WOULD BECOME VERY LOOSE. OFTEN IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PUMPED AND THEN SHOVED INTO GEAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER COMPLAINING OF THE ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH. THEY HAD IT FOR A DAY AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE, BACK THEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM NEVER WENT AWAY. IN FACT, IT BECAME WORSE UNTIL IT WAS FINALLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CLUTCH ISSUE WOULD OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES IN DIFFERENT WEATHER MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT OR AVOID. OFTEN, I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. EVENTUALLY, I HAD TO HAVE THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. BOTH WERE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS. AGAIN, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH. MY CAR CLUTCH NOW STICKS TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. OFTEN I AM STRUGGLING TO GET THE CAR MOVING IN TRAFFIC OR AT TURNS PUTTING ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER. BEFORE I PAY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE REPAIRED AGAIN, I DID SOME RESEARCH THIS TIME, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF NISSAN. TO ME, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THIER CONSUMERS. I HAVE RECORDS OF ALL REPAIRS BEGINNING WITH THE INITIAL COMPLAINT. IN MY OPINION, NISSAN NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEMS BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390111