COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Nissan Altima transmission problems

241 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

16 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

157 reports with mileage · 84 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

241 reports
2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2008
Power Train

MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (6,500 MILES) WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. DURING THE PAST MONT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY CLUTCH PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSED AND NOT RETURNING. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IDENTIFIED THAT APPARENTLY WITH THE 6 CYL. ENGINE AND STANDARD TRANSMISSION THIS IS A COMMON PROB…

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MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (6,500 MILES) WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. DURING THE PAST MONT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY CLUTCH PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSED AND NOT RETURNING. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IDENTIFIED THAT APPARENTLY WITH THE 6 CYL. ENGINE AND STANDARD TRANSMISSION THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BREAK DOWN OF THE DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID THAT IS USED IN THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. MANY SITES RECOMMEND THE HIGHER BOILING TEMPERATURE OF THE DOT 4 OR 5.1. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT DOT 3 IS SUFFICIENT HOWEVER IN TALKING TO OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ON LINE IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230459

2006 model year · 30,000 miles · Jun 3, 2008
Power Train

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SER CLUTCH SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND PREVENTS USE OF GEARS. HAPPENS ONCE A MONTH IN TRAFFIC OR ON HOT DAYS. NISSAN HAS NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT IS DANGEROUS BEING STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229803

2002 model year · 100,260 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S,MY CAR BURN OIL LIKE CRAZY, COULD MAKE A FIRE IF I DIDN'T KEEP CHECKING ON THE OIL LEVEL, I SPENT 5 QUART JUST FROM IOWA TO MINNEAPOLIS AND FOR THE LOCAL DRIVE I NEED TO REFILL 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 5-6 DAYS (BETWEEN OFFICE AND HOME WHICH IS JUST 4 MINUTES DRIVING). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229023

2003 model year · 37,800 miles · Apr 24, 2008
Power TrainCrash

THERE IS NO INTERLOCK ON IGNITION TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY IF SHIFTER IS NOT PLACED IN PARK POSITION. CAR WAS PARKED AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED. CAR ROLLED OUT OF PARKING LOT DOWN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO TREE THEN PROCEEDED ACROSS STREET INTO A LOWER PARKING LOT HITTI…

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THERE IS NO INTERLOCK ON IGNITION TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY IF SHIFTER IS NOT PLACED IN PARK POSITION. CAR WAS PARKED AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED. CAR ROLLED OUT OF PARKING LOT DOWN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO TREE THEN PROCEEDED ACROSS STREET INTO A LOWER PARKING LOT HITTING GUARD RAIL BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS LACK OF A SAFETY FEATURE WAS UNKNOWN TO OWNERS AND CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT SAFETY RISK TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225558

2004 model year · 65,000 miles · Apr 23, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND VICE VERSA, THERE IS A HARD JERK. IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DROP. THE FAILURE OCCURS ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER WHEN THE CONTACT BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND VICE VERSA, THERE IS A HARD JERK. IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DROP. THE FAILURE OCCURS ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER WHEN THE CONTACT BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE DEALER FIRST SUGGESTED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED, BUT LATER STATED THAT A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONE WAS FAILING. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10225493

2006 model year · 9,286 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ROLLED FORWARD TO THE SIDEWALK. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ROLLED FORWARD TOWARDS THE SIDEWALK. THE CONTACT USED BOTH THE FOOT BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ROLLED FORWARD TO THE SIDEWALK. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ROLLED FORWARD TOWARDS THE SIDEWALK. THE CONTACT USED BOTH THE FOOT BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ON TWELVE OCCASIONS, WHEN THE FLOOR CLUTCH WAS PRESSED, IT BECAME STUCK. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY WORK THE CLUTCH BACK TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 1-20 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. ON ONE OCCASION, SHE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A JUMP START. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER FROM ROLLING FORWARD INTO THE SIDEWALK. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN CONCERNING HER VEHICLE NOT HAVING ABS; HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION SHE RECEIVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED STATED THAT IT DID HAVE ABS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,650 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,286.

NHTSA ODI #10222950

2005 model year · 30,000 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SKIP WITHOUT WARNING. AS OF MARCH 25, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37790.

NHTSA ODI #10222267

2002 model year · 58,000 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YRS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION IT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I HAVE PULLED FROM A PARKING SPOT USING REVERSE, AND JUST WHEN I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND SHIFT TO DRIVE THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. THE ENGINE DOESN'T REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR; THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE. WH…

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THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YRS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION IT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I HAVE PULLED FROM A PARKING SPOT USING REVERSE, AND JUST WHEN I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND SHIFT TO DRIVE THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. THE ENGINE DOESN'T REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR; THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE. WHEN IT HAPPENS I HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. ONE TIME IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINS TO BE ABLE TO RESTART AND RESTORE ALL FUNCTIONS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION I ENDED UP HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE SCARY PART IS THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST; GETTING INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR MY OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT I AM EXTREMELY AFRAID IS IF THIS WERE EVER TO HAPPEN WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A HIGHWAY OR BUSY STREET TRAFFIC. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07V527000. PLEASE CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILL; WE SHOULD NEVER WAIT THAT LONG OR LET IT GO THAT FAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218488

2006 model year · 26,000 miles · Feb 14, 2008
Power Train

CLUTCH SINKS TO THE FLOOR, AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR. DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY AND UNABLE TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR DURING A DOWNSHIFT. LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT BEING HIT. STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NISSAN COULD NOT "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. NO FIX. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM LUCKY NOT T…

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CLUTCH SINKS TO THE FLOOR, AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR. DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY AND UNABLE TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR DURING A DOWNSHIFT. LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT BEING HIT. STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NISSAN COULD NOT "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. NO FIX. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD A CRASH. YET! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218086

2005 model year · 44,631 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainWheels

CAR WOULD STALL AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $600. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE SENSOR FOR $222.91. CAR PURCHASED IN 2004. ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIRED…

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CAR WOULD STALL AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $600. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE SENSOR FOR $222.91. CAR PURCHASED IN 2004. ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIRED: ENGINE REPLACEMENT, WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, AND INTERIOR PANELS REPLACEMENT. I FOUND INFORMATION OF THIS CAMPAIGN (07V527000) THROUGH WWW.NHTSA.GOV AND I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN. NISSAN CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH CAMPAIGN AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THE CAMPAIGN THAT THEY SHOW FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS FOR THE 2002-3 ALTIMA MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216609

Related Official recalls

1

94V165000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Sep 2, 1994

THE SHIFT LEVER LOCK PLATE, WHICH PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING INADVERTENTLY MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR NEUTRAL POSITION, CAN BE BROKEN BY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION PIN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION CAN CAUSE VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET TO PREVENT THE SHIFT POSITION PIN FROM BREAKING THE SHIFT LEVER LOCK PLATE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.