Nissan Altima Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 2,187 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Nissan Altima across 31 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (505). The words owners use most often: “cvt transmission” (12% of reports).
- 2,187power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 58mention a crash
- 35mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- CVT transmission: mentioned in 267 of 2,187 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Nissan Altima at $5,150, and half of them between $3,500 and $5,850.
Based on 154 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 1,598 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,187 complaints, 58 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 35 an injury.
Nissan Altima power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Altima | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2024 Altima | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2023 Altima | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2022 Altima | 4 | 13% | — |
| 2021 Altima | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Altima | 17 | 11% | 14,500 |
| 2019 Altima | 9 | 4% | 82,000 |
| 2018 Altima | 24 | 11% | 12,105 |
| 2017 Altima | 133 | 34% | 66,000 |
| 2016 Altima | 235 | 42% | 64,700 |
| 2015 Altima | 161 | 17% | 61,500 |
| 2014 Altima | 209 | 19% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Altima | 505 | 22% | 69,000 |
| 2012 Altima | 149 | 35% | 92,800 |
| 2011 Altima | 68 | 28% | 100,200 |
| 2010 Altima | 73 | 19% | 54,964 |
| 2009 Altima | 95 | 6% | 120,000 |
| 2008 Altima | 80 | 8% | 110,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 62 | 13% | 103,000 |
| 2006 Altima | 79 | 10% | 55,500 |
| 2005 Altima | 115 | 11% | 65,749 |
| 2004 Altima | 17 | 6% | 61,500 |
| 2003 Altima | 34 | 4% | 59,000 |
| 2002 Altima | 39 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 2001 Altima | 6 | 4% | 453,400 |
| 2000 Altima | 9 | 6% | 36,000 |
| 1999 Altima | 7 | 8% | — |
| 1998 Altima | 6 | 5% | 164,500 |
| 1997 Altima | 8 | 7% | 131,000 |
| 1996 Altima | 7 | 8% | — |
| 1995 Altima | 27 | 15% | 83,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inadvertent movement of the transmission shift lever without operator action can cause vehicle movement which can result in a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will install a bracket to prevent the shift position pin from breaking the shift lever lock plate.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While operating my 2018 Nissan Altima on September 19, 2026, at approximately 9:20 a.m., during daytime highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of propulsion, leaving me entirely immobilized on a highway ramp with no ability to accelerate or move out of danger. I was…
To recap: â¢Nissan manufactured defective transmissions. â¢Nissan granted me a warranty extension with a fleeting expiration date (2023) to shift the cost away from them. â¢In 2020, Nissan performed work on my car. The work they performed masked the problem, didnât fix it. And it deferred the…
Shuddering and loss of acceleration/vehicle slowed on its own while driving on the highway. Managed to get to Firestone and diagnostic codes P0776 and P0841 came up. Advised to take vehicle to dealer shop as work could not be done on CVT there. Car was towed to Nissan Bonney Road Virginia Beach…
My 2016 Nissan Altima has approximately 68,900 miles. When I am stopped and press the gas pedal, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before it begins moving. It does not accelerate normally, which is dangerous when I am pulling into traffic, crossing an intersection, or making a turn. At other times…
I drive 30 miles one way for work, my car hit 85,000 and the transmission fluid is overheated and the car went in to limp mode on the freeway. I got stuck for 30 Mines waiting for it to cool. Now I have to go to mellow nissan to pay 150 for a transmission disinostic so corporate nissan can open a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Altimas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,187 owner complaints about power train for the Nissan Altima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Altima power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,150 (half paid between $3,500 and $5,850), from 154 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “cvt transmission”, in 267 of 2,187 complaints.
Other Nissan Altima problems
- Air Bags problems (1,894)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,890)
- Electrical System problems (1,749)
- Structure problems (1,742)
- Engine problems (1,449)
- Steering problems (1,338)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,221)
- Suspension problems (906)
See all Nissan Altima problems.