2015 Nissan Altima: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Suspension · 196,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel jerked and caused the vehicle to shift into the left lane. The contact immediately slammed on the brake pedal and repositioned the vehicle into the intended lane, but the vehicle felt unstable as if the vehicle was driving on ice. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to inspect vehicle but found no cause for the failure. The contact drove to the residence. The contact’s husband reversed the vehicle into the garage, exited the vehicle and became aware that the rear passenger’s wheel was pushed into the wheel well, revealing that the rear control arm was fractured. The contact stated that the rear control arm had fractured while driving, causing the vehicle to veer into another lane. While reversing in the driveway, the control arm completely detached, and the wheel fell inward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate from a complete stop and jerked. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed on the vehicle, and it was confirmed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · 190,300 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and made an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that the check engine and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was included in Nissan Manufacturer Recall Number: PC490. The contact was advised that a manager would reach out. However, the contact was awaiting a call from the manager. The contact was advised that the dealer was refusing to repair the vehicle, because the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,300.

Filed Feb 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and made an abnormally loud sound. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the key fob failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 29, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TN

While driving down the interstate at 70 miles per hour, going up an incline, the car lost ALL power & then jerked kicking back into gear. Once off the interstate attempting to get to a safe place, it completely shut off without warning! No check engine lights or any warning lights. Just randomly shuts off. After replacing what was assumed as the mass flow air sensor ($186.00) & the crankshaft sensor ($80) it continues to have issues. The battery (new battery $220) was also replaced & the alternator checked due to randomly shutting off-which checked out to be fine. Come to find out it’s the CVT judder. After reading all the complaints, I’m confused as to why there isn’t a recall or extended warranty on the transmission. My car only has 119k miles! We should not be having issues with these transmission.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally and failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. After several minutes, the vehicle started to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the contact was unsure what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 24, 2022 · Engine · AL

I'm having the same problem with this Nissan Altima 2015 that I had with my Nissan Altima 2010 where it was a recall on the CVT. There are times when I'm pressing the gas, and the car will not and I have to pull over, turn the car off, and turn it back on. When I'm at a stoplight, and I press the gas it will not accelerate with my foot all the way down on the gas. The car will then jerk, and take off really fast. There have been several times when I have almost had accidents.

Filed May 19, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NV

For the last few days my car has been hesitant to accelerate. At low speed acceleration it jerks a few times then the rpms go way high and is slow to shift & accelerate. It is automatic. This problem has been gradually increasing over past 2 years. I did take it to a dealership when the hood latch was replaced due to recall this year and they just suggested I drain/replace the transmission fluid in hopes that it fixes the acceleration issues. They already knew when I went into the dealership that it wasn't in warranty anymore and because I couldn't afford to fully fix the problem they just brushed me off. This isn't a safe car anymore to drive. I have 2 children and this is our primary vehicle. I just know whatever this issue with the transmission and power train stuff is not safe and it's only a matter of time until something major brakes down, I just hope it does not clunk out on us to where we wreck. These power train/transmission issues have started affecting the cruise control, air flow of the car, and possibly affecting the sensors which then could be another ordeal with electrical issues. NISSAN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRANNY/POWER TRAIN > EXTEND THE WARRANTY OR FIND AND FIX THIS ISSUE I bought the car in 2018 with less than 20,000 miles and have done regular maintenance, new tires every year, oils changes, replacing air filters and wipers, replacing brake pads, ive had to replace the brake booster already and flushed the whole brake system because of this acceleration issue I figured the brakes causing the lag but this car is just falling apart these past 2 years, rust on the trunk near the silver trim has caused the trunk to open on its own and the back-up camera feels like its slowly going out, the headlights are too dim to drive at night(even the brights now are dim), the rear passenger window just dropped down one day off the roller and I can't get the window back up and stay on the roller. Problem after Problem. Safety concern after safety concern.

Filed May 18, 2022 · Transmission · CO

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 24, 2021 · Transmission · 148,800 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle felt as if the transmission was slipping due to the fact that the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that she contacted the dealer and was awaiting an appointment. The contact stated she had not yet contacted the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 148,800.

Filed Oct 20, 2021 · Transmission · CA

Moments car will not accelerate after stepping on gas pedal till one completely steps on it all the way down after coming to a stop. Car will roll first then jerk to accelerate after pressing gas pedal down fully. Notice the issue happens when car gets too hot from frequent stops. Had transmission flushed and it solved the issue for a bit but began again recently.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Transmission · TX

My teenage daughter drives this car daily and last week upon traveling to work on the highway the RPMs jumped and her car lost acceleration and she wasn’t able to pick the speed back up. She was losing power. The car was shuddering when she was accelerating and taking off and it was jerking with gear shifting. She was almost slammed into from behind when this happened. Dealership is telling us we need a new transmission. We purchased the car in 2016 and Jan 2017 we had the transmission computer module reprogrammed at the dealership, per Nissan recommendation.