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
2005 model year · 45,000 miles · May 23, 2007
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN SE-R. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE CLUTCH FAILED. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED,THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE , BUT A VERY SERIOUS AND UNSAFE ISSUE. WE WERE GETTING NO RELIEF FROM OUR DEALERSHIPS AND THE MANUFACTURERS. THE CLUTCH WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN SE-R. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE CLUTCH FAILED. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED,THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE , BUT A VERY SERIOUS AND UNSAFE ISSUE. WE WERE GETTING NO RELIEF FROM OUR DEALERSHIPS AND THE MANUFACTURERS. THE CLUTCH WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR EXCEPT NEUTRAL. TRIED TO BRING THE CAR IN, BUT THE CLOSEST I GOT WAS A STREET AWAY WHEN THE CLUTCH ENGAGED AGAIN. I KNEW IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. AT LEAST WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTLY. THAT WAS WHAT I WAS TOLD FOR THE 3 YEARS I HAD THE CAR. I LIVE IN ATLANTA AND TRAVEL ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAYS, TRYING TO GET OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC IN NEUTRAL WAS VERY UNSAFE. I GUESS IT WAS A GOOD THING I HAVE ABOUT 6 AIRBAGS IN THE CAR SO WHEN SOMEONE PLOWED INTO ME, I WON'T DIE AND MAYBE NO ONE ELSE WILL EITHER. THIS WAS A REAL ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE STATED ON NISSAN FORUMS AS WELL. ATTENTION NEEDED TO BE DRAWN TO THIS ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191570

2007 model year · 343 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Power Train

ON SOME MINOR SLOPES, BUT NOT ALL, THE CVT TRANSMISSION-EQUIPPED 2007 ALTIMA WILL ROLL BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET WHILE IN "DRIVE" POSING A HAZARD TO OBJECTS AND PERSONS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CONSISTENTLY REPRODUCIBLE IN OUR HOME DRIVEWAY BUT NOT ON STEEPER SLOPES SUCH AS A PARKING GARAGE. THE SURPRISING CONDITION CAUSED MY WI…

Read full complaint

ON SOME MINOR SLOPES, BUT NOT ALL, THE CVT TRANSMISSION-EQUIPPED 2007 ALTIMA WILL ROLL BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET WHILE IN "DRIVE" POSING A HAZARD TO OBJECTS AND PERSONS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CONSISTENTLY REPRODUCIBLE IN OUR HOME DRIVEWAY BUT NOT ON STEEPER SLOPES SUCH AS A PARKING GARAGE. THE SURPRISING CONDITION CAUSED MY WIFE TO PANIC AND ALMOST LOSE CONTROL, NEARLY STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE. HOWEVER, AS OF THIS POSTING, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGES BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10189034

2006 model year · 9,000 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION(STANDARD)WILL JUST DROP OUT OF 5TH GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS. THERE ARE 10,800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS DISENGAGED I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING FREEWAY SPEEDS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET CAUSIN…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION(STANDARD)WILL JUST DROP OUT OF 5TH GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS. THERE ARE 10,800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS DISENGAGED I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING FREEWAY SPEEDS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET CAUSING A QUICK RISE IN THE RPMS-WHICH IS NOT GOOD FOR ANY ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188670

2004 model year · 44,700 miles · Jan 30, 2007
Power Train

ALTIMA KEPT DYING AT RANDOM TIMES AND PLACES. ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. DEALER TRACED PROBLEM TO A BAD SENSOR. CAM AND CRANK SENSORS REPLACED AND SO FAR THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. $$$ . *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181174

2007 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

1.)WHEN THE CAR WARM UPS AFTER 15-20 MINUTES, THE SLIP AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COME ON. 2.) THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES FAIL (IN THE RAIN!), AND NOW THE HEADLIGHT GO ON OFF BY THEMSELVES (AT NIGHT!!!) 3.) THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THEY ADJUSTED A LOSE WIRE 1ST, SECOND THEY REPLACED AN ABS ACTUATOR, …

Read full complaint

1.)WHEN THE CAR WARM UPS AFTER 15-20 MINUTES, THE SLIP AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COME ON. 2.) THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES FAIL (IN THE RAIN!), AND NOW THE HEADLIGHT GO ON OFF BY THEMSELVES (AT NIGHT!!!) 3.) THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THEY ADJUSTED A LOSE WIRE 1ST, SECOND THEY REPLACED AN ABS ACTUATOR, THE 3RD TIME AT THE DEALER THEY ORDERED A TRANSMISSION COMPUTER GIZMO (IS ON ORDER AND NOT REPLACED). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10180871

2006 model year · 200 miles · Oct 26, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE OCCUPANT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE CENTER CONSOLE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHIFT GEARS AND OPERATE AT A REDUCED SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER …

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE OCCUPANT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE CENTER CONSOLE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHIFT GEARS AND OPERATE AT A REDUCED SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10171883

2005 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2006
Power Train

MY CLUTCH IN MY 2005 ALTIMA SE-R HAS SANK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO PUMP THE CLUTCH WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ANY DRIVER. THIS NOT ONLY CAUSES A WRECK BY NOT ENGAGING IN GEAR, IT ALSO PUT OTHERS IN DANGER IF MY CAR GOES OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171597

2003 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2006
Power Train

MY 02 ALTIMA HAS HAD FOUR RECALLS, INCLUDING THE LAST ONE IN QUESTION. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LURCHING THIS SUMMER. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE. IT EVEN BEGAN TO DIE ON ME ONCE OR TWICE AT IDLE SPEEDS. ON AUG 24TH, WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR DIED. IT DIED THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS TRYING TO…

Read full complaint

MY 02 ALTIMA HAS HAD FOUR RECALLS, INCLUDING THE LAST ONE IN QUESTION. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LURCHING THIS SUMMER. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE. IT EVEN BEGAN TO DIE ON ME ONCE OR TWICE AT IDLE SPEEDS. ON AUG 24TH, WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR DIED. IT DIED THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TURN AROUND AND GET BACK TO THE PARKING LOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE, ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. MEANWHILE, I CHECKED THE WEB. NO ADDITIONAL RECALLS WERE LISTED.) THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LURCH AND ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE TECHS RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE NISSAN DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN. NISSAN HAD ISSUED A RECALL, THE CAR NEEDED THE ECM REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, NISSAN STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR STILL NEEDED REPLACING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE SENSOR. THEY ALSO SAID IT NEEDED A NEW CAM SENSOR. THEY REPLACED BOTH SENSORS AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE CAR EXHIBITED THE SAME, PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS. I TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN. THE SERV DEPT INFORMED ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. THE BAD NEWS - THE COST WAS $1000. THE PART WAS ESTIMATED AT $550 AND LABOR WAS AROUND $450. ESTIMATE TIME OF REPAIR = 1 1/2 HOUR. THE WARRANTY IS 5 YRS / 60K MILES. HE STATED IF THE MILEAGE WAS 60K MILES, THEN THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY... BUT, SINCE THE MILEAGE READ 65K MILES, THEN IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE SERVICE MANAGER APPLIED FOR A GOODWILL WARRANTY. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. I CONTACTED NISSAN. AFTER FILING THE COMPLAINT AND WAITING FOR A RESPONSE, I FINALLY OPTED TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. TO DATE, NISSAN DECLINED TO PAY FOR ANY PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIR. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE PROMISED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169708

2005 model year · 59,400 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Power Train

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AT 59,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN CONSIDER IT A WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT 30,000 MILES. OWNERS MANUAL HAS SEVERAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. MINE FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF SUBSTANTIAL HWY. DRIVING AND…

Read full complaint

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AT 59,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN CONSIDER IT A WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT 30,000 MILES. OWNERS MANUAL HAS SEVERAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. MINE FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF SUBSTANTIAL HWY. DRIVING AND DOES NOT REQUIRE THE FLUID BE CHANGED UNTIL 100,000 MILES. I CONTINUED TO PURSUE THE CLAIM EVEN AFTER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRATION PERIOD. I AM NOW TOLD THAT CLAIM WILL BE DENIED BECAUSE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT DONE WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AT 59,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE FLUID ON MY FIRST VISIT (AT MY EXPENSE) AND VERY BLUNTLY TOLD ME THAT IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, I WAS ON MY OWN. THEY NEVER OFFERED TO DO A DIAGNOSTICS TEST. THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DID A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AT 67,000 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167866

2006 model year · 600 miles · Aug 19, 2006
Power Train

I OWN A NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. IT HAS NOW BEEN 2 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH MOST RECENTLY YESTERDAY WHERE THEY DETECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE... IT WAS FIXED , YET IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HECTIC DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK IT STOPS GAINING SPEED CAUSING MAJOR TRAFFIC BACKUP I'M JUST LUCKY NO ONE CRASHED IN TO ME! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165993

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.