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 · 76,717 miles · Mar 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MAKING A BUZZING/WHINING NOISE AT THE ENGINE AREA. THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 WHEN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,578.00 (+TAX). THEY EVEN SENT A "CPIA - GOODWILL RECOMMENDATION" REQUES…

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TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MAKING A BUZZING/WHINING NOISE AT THE ENGINE AREA. THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 WHEN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,578.00 (+TAX). THEY EVEN SENT A "CPIA - GOODWILL RECOMMENDATION" REQUEST TO WHICH NISSAN'S MESSAGE BACK WAS "GOODWILL IS NOT RECOMMENDED". AT THAT TIME I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME WHY A TIMING CHAIN THAT IS MEANT TO OUTLAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,717 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALWAYS ENSURED IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AT THE INTERVALS RECOMMENDED AND I AM A VERY SAFE AND GOOD DRIVER AND KEEP MY VEHICLE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, IT IS NOT NEGLECTED IN ANYWAY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PHONE THE NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FURTHER THAT COULD BE DONE. AFTER 6 PHONE CALLS WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE THEY TOO DECIDED THAT THEY FELT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I SENT HIM A VERY DETAILED EMAIL REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, HE STATED HE'D LOOK INTO MY CONCERNS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE TOO RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE THAT NISSAN FEELS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED IN ANYWAY TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. AT THIS TIME I PLAN TO PURSUE THIS FURTHER BY CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND LEMON LAW TO SEE IF THEY CAN ASSIST IN ANYWAY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR THE CONSUMER TO PAY THE COST OF REPLACING A PART THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART, SINCE IT'S DESIGNED TO OUT LIVE THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, LAST I CHECKED 76,000+ MILES ON A NISSAN IS NOT THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE. I HOPE THAT NISSAN WILL FINALLY REALIZE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263179

2009 model year · 730 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Power Train

RENTED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM AVIS LOS ANGELES AIRPORT. LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV WHEN EXCESS ACCELERATION AND ON A HILL WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259491

2006 model year · 38,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH A 6 CYLINDER ENGINE AND A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE LAST 30 MONTHS THE CLUTCH WOULD FALL TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE SOLUTION WAS TO CATCH THE CLUTCH WITH THE DRIVER'S TOE AND RAISE IT MANUALLY BACK INTO POSITION EACH TIME P…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH A 6 CYLINDER ENGINE AND A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE LAST 30 MONTHS THE CLUTCH WOULD FALL TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE SOLUTION WAS TO CATCH THE CLUTCH WITH THE DRIVER'S TOE AND RAISE IT MANUALLY BACK INTO POSITION EACH TIME PRIOR TO A SHIFT. THIS IS DIFFICULT, DISTRACTING, AND DANGEROUS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT AND THEREFORE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS MONTH, AT 38,000 MILES, THE CLUTCH HAS FALLEN TO THE FLOOR AND HAS REMAINED STUCK THERE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY UNDRIVEABLE. THE DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE MASTER AND SLAVE CLUTCH CYLINDERS, HOWEVER THEY INTEND TO CHARGE $709.97 FOR IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART SINCE IT HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM 6,000 MILES ON AND IS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS AS WELL ON INTERNET FORUMS. EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/273277-SLAVE-CLUTCH-CYLINDER-RECALL.HTML I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO NISSAN, HOWEVER THEY HAVE "DECIDED" NOT TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS REPAIR. THE NISSAN FILE NUMBER IS 6393944. IT IS MY HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL TAKE AN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT CAUSES A FATAL WRECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256079

2004 model year · 50,000 miles · Jan 13, 2009
Power Train

CLUTCH DOESN'T RE-ENGAGE AND DROPS TO FLOOR ON HOT DAYS IF USING THE CLUTCH A LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254912

2003 model year · 76,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
Power Train

THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AT A STOPPED POSITION. IT TOOK EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO GO. AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THIS SAME THING WAS HAPPENING. IT ALMOST NEEDED TO BE FLOORED TO GET IT TO GO. IT REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN I TRIED TO GIVE IT EXTRA GAS. SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAI…

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THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AT A STOPPED POSITION. IT TOOK EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO GO. AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THIS SAME THING WAS HAPPENING. IT ALMOST NEEDED TO BE FLOORED TO GET IT TO GO. IT REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN I TRIED TO GIVE IT EXTRA GAS. SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I NEED TO PASS OR GET RAPID ACCELERATION, I COULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244127

2003 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/05/12

NHTSA ODI #10242257

2002 model year · 55,000 miles · Aug 30, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TOO MANY ISSUES TO REMEMBER THAN ALL BUT I'LL TRY: - EXCESSIVE OIL USE - EXCESSIVE COOLANT USE - OVERHEATING TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES - INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FAILING AIRBAG - ELECTRICAL ISSUES - BROKEN SENSORS - CATALYTIC CONVERTERS GONE BAD - OXYGEN SENSORS GONE BAD - INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO START -…

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TOO MANY ISSUES TO REMEMBER THAN ALL BUT I'LL TRY: - EXCESSIVE OIL USE - EXCESSIVE COOLANT USE - OVERHEATING TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES - INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FAILING AIRBAG - ELECTRICAL ISSUES - BROKEN SENSORS - CATALYTIC CONVERTERS GONE BAD - OXYGEN SENSORS GONE BAD - INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO START - INTERMITTENT CAR SHAKING AND SO ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240328

2003 model year · 76,274 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Power Train

THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT WOULD DO IT ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN NOT DO IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. OVER THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND DANGEROUS. MY '03 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT IN OR O…

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THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT WOULD DO IT ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN NOT DO IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. OVER THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND DANGEROUS. MY '03 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEAR. IT HAPPENED RECENTLY WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF GEAR BEFORE THE CAR STALLED. IF THE CAR HAD STALLED, I WOULD HAVE LOST POWER AND POSSIBLY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239257

2000 model year · 50,000 miles · Aug 8, 2008
Power Train

2000 NISSAN ALTIMA BOUGHT NEW AND FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED AT DEALERSHIP (TRI-CITY NISSAN TALLMADGE OHIO) HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP OFFERS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS UNHEARD OF PROBLEM. NISSAN HEADQUARTERS TELLS ME THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF REPAIR B/C IT IS UNHEARD OF. I WAIT (WITHOUT A CAR) FOR 2 WEEKS…

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2000 NISSAN ALTIMA BOUGHT NEW AND FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED AT DEALERSHIP (TRI-CITY NISSAN TALLMADGE OHIO) HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP OFFERS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS UNHEARD OF PROBLEM. NISSAN HEADQUARTERS TELLS ME THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF REPAIR B/C IT IS UNHEARD OF. I WAIT (WITHOUT A CAR) FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN HEADQUARTERS SAYS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. WHEN I GET REPAIR (OVER $3K) THE SHOP SAYS DEFECTIVE GEAR AND I NOW HAVE THE PART. IF SOMEONE CAN'T HELP ME WITH THIS I AM GOING TO SUE NISSAN WITH PUNITIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237429

2005 model year · 10,000 miles · Jun 24, 2008
Power Train

ON OCCASION, MY CAR CLUTCH SINKS TO THE GROUND AND LOSES ALL PRESSURE. THE CAR WOULD BE OUT OF COMMISSION UNTIL THE PRESSURE COMES BACK IN ABOUT A 1/2 HR. NISSAN HAS CONSTANTLY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH PROBLEMS AND ALWAYS CHECK MY CAR WHEN THE PROBLEM IS NOT THERE. THIS CAN BE VERY HAZARDOUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232122

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.