2004 Nissan Altima: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission began slipping gears with hesitation and jerking intermittently. The failure progressed whenever the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the failure was related to the transmission and recommended the vehicle be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a transmission flush. The failure continued and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a second time, where they stated the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2008 · Engine · 121,000 miles · PA

While driving my 2004 2.5 litre nissan altima on highway about 60 MPH I felt an abrupt jerk like noise in the transmission, almost even like a misfire of some sort. All I know is that it was odd and did not seem right. Immediately following, my "service engine soon" light illuminated and has stayed on. While my car did not stall or immediately shut down, it was hard to crank after shutting down. I had difficulty climbing hills as the car lacked the power and difficulty shifting down. In troubleshooting this problem, I immediately checked the gas cap. This did not solve my problem. I took it into the mechanic. He has had my car for two days. He found the problem to be the crankshaft sensor and he said it was difficult to get to for repair as well as having problems removing it. I have yet to receive a bill for this repair but with the labor involved to remove this sensor, it won't be cheap. Why on earth are manufacturers putting parts into places that are difficult and costly to repair. Not only that, but the average "joe" who likes to work on his own car, can't even do this one! Now, the other ludicrous problem is that nissan appears to not have included the 2004 nissan 2.5 altima in the "recall" campaign for this faulty sensor. That spells a class action lawsuit and complaints to my attorney general and better business bureau. There is no way, that I or anyone having bought a 2004 nissan 2.5 altima should have to bear the burden of costs involved into this ongoing issue with the crankshaft sensors.

Filed Jun 2, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 69,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. While driving 65 MPH or lower, the vehicle acts as if it will shut off. Sometimes the vehicle stalls and will not even start. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle will not pick up speed. The vehicle will not exceed 30 MPH. Also, when driving, the vehicle jerks back as if it will shut off. The dealer stated that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced; however, the contact stated that it was replaced last year. The dealer also stated that the speed sensor failed. The federal safety agency campaign id number 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling) was referenced. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Dec 20, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · 91,520 miles · AE

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.

Filed Jul 28, 2007 · Engine · 95,295 miles · CA

My husband and I were driving when the car started to jerk and run very rough. Not long after that the check engine light came on and it just shut off right in the middle of traffic. Aaa towed the car to cerritos nissan. The next day they looked it over and said it was a chamber and a mass air filter and injector a. They gave us the total of $1384. We had no choice I needed my car, so we told them to fix it. When we went to pick the car up,we paid our bill, I drove off and it started doing the same exact thing. We took the car back and the head of service was there. My husband tried to explain to him but he was not understanding. My husband ask if he would go on a test drive with him. My husband asked him to drive. When they came back, my husband said not only was it doing the same thing but it cut off on them as well. The service manager said he would write a note about what it was still doing. We had just begrudgingly forked out nearly $1400 and the car was doing the same exact thing. We were upset and wanted to know what did they fix? He assured us that they would fix it. He asked us what we wanted him to do. My husband said that we just needed a rental. He agreed and set us up with one. Finally we were able to pick the car up and while it still ran a bit rough it didn't jerk and it didn't cut off. We ask what was wrong with it and they said it was something with the engine 9500 int and enterprise inv d907447 po 151165. So we asked why we were charged for all that other stuff. He said cause it still needed it. And at this time we also had asked about recalls. They said there were none. Ironically in going through our old a few months later mail we found a safety recall notice that talk about everything that my car did. We notified our lawyer and ask if we should proceed and he told us to first report it and see what happens. Although I really like my altima I have had to many problems. A year after I got it I had to get the entire engine replaced.

Filed Apr 25, 2007 · Engine · AZ

I have a 2004 nissa altima and I have been feeling big jerks in the car while driving and now I am having trouble starting my car. The check engine light is on and I had it checked and was told that my crank sensor is shut down and will eventually make my car not start at all and can leave me stranded. I was also told that this is something that should not be happening to a car that is a 2004 and that this is a major malfunction that will cost a lot of money.

Filed Jan 28, 2004 · Fuel system · 710 miles · IL

Car stalls while driving, has severe difficulty starting and jerks in second gear. Car idles at about 100-200 RPM.