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
2003 model year · 7,435 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND THE RADIATOR AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND THE RADIATOR AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE TIME HAD EXPIRED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,435. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN SHOOTS FORWARD. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215697

2005 model year · 68,000 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONED. CAUSED THE CAR TO MAKE LOUD THUD AND BANG INTO GEAR BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ACCIDENT NEAR MISS, BUT NO ACTUAL WRECK. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AS ANY ONLINE FORUM ON THE ALTIMA REVEALS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215666

2004 model year · 91,520 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NISSAN ALTIMA 2004. HAS AROUND 91,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JERK A LITTLE, LIKE IT WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR. CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT. THIS TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL …

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NISSAN ALTIMA 2004. HAS AROUND 91,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JERK A LITTLE, LIKE IT WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR. CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT. THIS TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO START THE VEHICLE. AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IT STOPPED AGAIN THE SAME DAY BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP (CAR IS IN GERMANY DUE TO MILITARY). THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR FALLS UNDER 2 RECALLS. BOTH THE VALVE SCREWS AND THE SENSOR. I MAY END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR IT ALL EVEN THOUGH NNA SAYS THEY "SHOULD" HANDLE IT HERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212391

2005 model year · 52,724 miles · Nov 24, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209778

2007 model year · 2,500 miles · Oct 2, 2007
Power TrainInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AS THE PASSENGER WAS EXITING. THE DOOR BENT BACKWARDS AND SCRATCHED THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT JUMPED INTO THE MOVING VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AS THE PASSENGER WAS EXITING. THE DOOR BENT BACKWARDS AND SCRATCHED THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT JUMPED INTO THE MOVING VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INJURED HER ARM, WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10204729

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OVERHEATS, AIR CONDITIONER AND ENGINE FAILURES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE HAS BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE OVERHEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND ENGINE FAILURES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND THERE WAS AN IMMEDI…

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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OVERHEATS, AIR CONDITIONER AND ENGINE FAILURES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE HAS BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE OVERHEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND ENGINE FAILURES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND NO STEERING CAPABILITY. THE STARTER, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE THERMOSTAT WAS STICKING WHICH WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT LOCKED INTO PLACE. THE FUEL DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN USING THE INTERNAL LATCH. THE GEAR WAS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201571

2003 model year · 127,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, BUT IT FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND TR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, BUT IT FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE 2006 ALTIMA'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE SPEED AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10199515

2007 model year · 3,700 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Power Train

AFTER HEATING UP (AN HOUR OR SO OF DRIVING), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO FAIL. PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THE RPM'S GO WAY UP, BUT CAR BARELY ACCELERATES. FIRST ATTEMPT AT DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. A DAY LATER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SECOND ATTEMPT, …

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AFTER HEATING UP (AN HOUR OR SO OF DRIVING), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO FAIL. PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THE RPM'S GO WAY UP, BUT CAR BARELY ACCELERATES. FIRST ATTEMPT AT DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. A DAY LATER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. A DAY LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME. CAR ONLY HAS 4,500 MILES ON IT. BEGINNING TO GET PRETTY FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198578

2007 model year · 3,500 miles · Jul 3, 2007
Power TrainFireInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTACT PULLED OVER, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND CO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTACT PULLED OVER, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND CONSUMED THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH IT'S CONTENTS IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE, BUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT DID LOOSE ITS GAS PRESSURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE THE CONTACT COULD SEE LIQUID BURNING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SMELL GAS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED BRUISES EXCITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,500. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHEN HE STOPPED. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195234

2006 model year · 8,100 miles · Jun 2, 2007
Power Train

ALTIMA 2006 W/ 3.5L ENGINE/ AUTO TRANS. CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD ROAR TYPE NOISE HEARD AT IDLE FROM INSIDE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE, THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND STALLED. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PR…

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ALTIMA 2006 W/ 3.5L ENGINE/ AUTO TRANS. CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD ROAR TYPE NOISE HEARD AT IDLE FROM INSIDE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE, THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND STALLED. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PROCEEDED TO STAY IN 5TH GEAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY OVERNIGHT AND WAS OK DRIVING TO THE SERVICE CENTER. WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND IT WAS "FIXED". WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A BAD FUEL PULSAR THING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY, HOWEVER THE STALLING AND GEAR STICKING DID NOT. THE CAR WENT BACK IN AND THIS TIME THEY TOLD US IT WAS A BAD CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MGR THAT THE CAMSHAFT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE INSISTED THIS WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR WAS "FIXED" ONCE AGAIN. GUESS WHAT, THE CAR STALLED AND STUCK IN 5TH GEAR THAT EVENING. BACK TO THE SHOP !!... THIS TIME ON A TOW TRUCK. I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR AS LONG AS NEEDED UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THEY TELL US THAT THE CAR IS "FIXED" ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAY THE ENTIRE COMPUTER IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'LL PICK UP THE CAR ON MONDAY. LETS SEE IF IT IS "FIXED" NOW. I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY TO NOT BE STUCK WITH A 2.5L OIL BURNER- FIRE TRAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192308

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.