2015 Nissan Altima: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Transmission · NY

Subject: Dangerous Transmission Failure in 2015 Nissan Altima While my 2015 Nissan Altima has always exhibited questionable performance—including abnormal acceleration, hesitation during throttle response, and mismatched RPMs relative to acceleration—the transmission has now begun to severely slip. I have also experienced sudden loss of power, pronounced shuddering, and complete power failure while driving. On multiple occasions, these issues have placed me in dangerous driving situations. It is important to note that I have regularly maintained the vehicle and kept it in mechanically decent shape throughout my ownership. I believe it is critical for other drivers to be aware of these ongoing problems, especially since Nissan appears to be avoiding responsibility for manufacturing such faulty powertrains. New car buyers and those purchasing used vehicles are becoming victims of this defective transmission, which poses a serious risk to passengers, drivers, and others on the road.

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly shift gear. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

I was on the highway and my car would not accelerate at all, during up hill or flat portions of the highway . This was was super scary because I’m on the highway in Pennsylvania so there’s semi’s flying by. So I pulled off an exit turned the car off waited, unplugged the battery and after a few mins I plugged the battery in and started the car. This did not work at all, so I took a backroad home, later on the car started working correctly. I made an appointment to get the car looked at (thank goodness for extended warranties) but it happened again while I was getting on the highway, I almost got hit by a semi hauling a reefer, almost peeled myself swerved into the side of the highway. Cause a ton of traffic, cuz I could not get home any other way, so I took it in that same day freaking out cuz I almost died. The said it was a bad O2 sensor and that it was covered under the warranty. So they fixed it and everything was fine until last year I got sideswiped by this old lady in a old af Hyundai suv. And she literally took my entire front fascia so my insurance covered all the repairs and the rental I needed but once they gave it back I noticed the car was hesitating again I legit took it right back. I think I only had the car for 20mins. So they took it to a Nissan dealership so they could run their own test because the O2 seemed fine. Turns out the tranny needed an update… didn’t know that transmission could get an update like my iPhone. Anyway the car has been working perfectly fine since I did have to buy aftermarket head lights since the oem are trash and in PA there’s tons of deer everywhere. I do take very good care of my car it is currently at almost 180,000 and still runs super well. I do keep up with all maintenance since I do it myself. Haven’t had any real issues that I can’t fix. With the exception of the AC not working but the car is obviously out of warranty and I haven’t had the time to get under the beauty cover to look at it.

Filed Apr 9, 2021 · Transmission · 63,148 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 nissan altima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle intermittently hesitated to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that an unknown warning light illuminated once when the failure occurred. The contact also stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard for the vehicle to respond, causing the vehicle to accelerate at an unsafe, high rate of speed. The vehicle was taken back to the place of purchase but the contact was then referred to another independent mechanic for assistance. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defect within the transmission and referred the contact to an authorized nissan dealer to ensure that the repair would be covered under warranty. The contact had taken the vehicle to state line nissan (10401 madison ave, kansas city, mo 64114) where they were unable to diagnose the vehicle and refused to service it under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,148.

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 185,000 miles · MD

My 2015 nissan altima began stalling when I engaged the accelerator pedal. It stalled and eventually sounded as if it were struggling to shift gears began moving forward. While driving 55 MPH, I was forced to abruptly engage the brake pedal to avoid crashing into another vehicle; however, when I applied the accelerator pedal the vehicle strained to move forward and accelerate but within a few minutes I was able to drive the normal speed. The vehicle does hesitate every time I drive it.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · TX

P17f1 CVT judder code...there are recalls on v6 nissan altimas from 2015, but it does not apply to the 4 cylinder models, yet the cars are having the same issues. Most likely the transmission will need replaced. Very costly for a 4 year old vehicle ($3500 from non-dealer, $4000 - $5000 dealer estimate). Dealer charges $140 just to diagnose the issue. The vehicle hesitates when accelerating to get on the highway. Transmission company I spoke with said this was the 4th altima he had seen this week with the same issue....typically happens between 100,000 - 120,000 miles. My vehicle has 111,000 miles.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 85,031 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 nissan alitma. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate without warning. The contact called all star nissan (27700 juban rd, building 3, denham springs, la 70726, (225) 272-9330) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,031.

Filed May 26, 2019 · 84,000 miles · CA

My car started this issue around 84,000 miles. Once a month it looses power usually after I'm stopped. I try to take off it sometimes hesitates for a few seconds and takes off slowly a lack of about 75% power. I had a couple close calls in the city. I get out there and then it acts up while I'm trying to pull out in traffic. It's seems to not shift gears also the engine will just scream. I also learned by shutting car off problem goes away like other peoples cars.

Filed Mar 6, 2019 · Fuel system · 69,500 miles · NY

I parked the car for a few minutes left it idling. When I returned, strapped my child in the car seat then got in waiting for her mother. When she got in pulled out of the spot the car hesitated to accelerate, I drove a few miles in what I got to know as limp mode trying to understand what's going on. When we reached destination, turn car off and then back on it was fine. Returned them home then on my way home it happened again. I diagnosed the car and got p0776 solenoid stuck/off. It seems these cars have an issue not being addressed I just buy the car with 68000 miles if this happens again I'm going to the dealer and they better fix it at no cost to me or give me another car I don't need expensive problems. Why hasn't these car been recalled. Clearly this is a safety issue.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 25,000 miles · NM

Car will suddenly lose ability to accelerate during hot or cold weather. When this happens, the car will hesitate to move for about 5 seconds then will suddenly begin to accelerate at a very low speed. If I pull over and turn the car off for a few minutes, it behaves normally again. I have almost been involved in several accidents this winter and summer when this has happened in heavy traffic. Please help.

Filed Oct 6, 2018 · Transmission · 34,900 miles · CT

While driving at approximately 50 MPH on a state highway, when I encounter a hill or attempt to accelerate to maintain speed the vehicle does not respond but instead hesitates and starts to slow. Only with a second or third application of pressure to the gas pedal does the vehicle start to accelerate. This has occurred several times within the last month. Also, while attempting to enter the interstate from a shopping center that I frequent I have to cross two lanes of high speed traffic to enter the third lane highway entrance. From a standing full stop I apply pressure to the gas pedal, the vehicle advances two or three feet and then comes to a complete stop. Additional pressure to the gas pedal produces no forward movement. The engine is running, the gearshift lever is in drive but the car does not move. Approaching high speed traffic is now swerving to avoid my stopped vehicle. This life threatening situation has occurred twice in the last month. On both occasions I have brought the vehicle to a nissan dealership for resolution of this problem. On the last occasion the vehicle was left for four days and I gave permission to the technician to operate the car at will to determine the problem. No problem could be detected. The vehicle has 34,000 on it. I believe operating this car in the present condition puts me at great risk. It is apparent to me that the transmission is defective and should be replaced or repaired while it still under warrenty.

Filed Aug 23, 2018 · Transmission · 71,020 miles · VA

I own 2015 nissan altima, I want the federal safety agency to be aware of serious problem with CVT transmission issue. I was on 95 south in washington dc when my vehicle hesitated for several seconds as I pushed my gas pedal all the way to the floor my car would slightly move forward. When I was trying to move to the far right shoulder, I was almost hit by mack truck. My car was barely moves. The almost caused serious accident and possible my life. This happened again today 8/23/2018 on my way to work. I was at stop light I push the accelerator and my vehicle barely moved. I was told by the nissan dealer that it CVT transmission. The dealer said they are getting a dozen 2015 nissan a week with this same issue. This is ridiculous my car is only 3 years old. This is too expensive for me to fix.