2017 Nissan Altima: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Seats · NM

2017 Nissan Altima purchased used from large used dealer chain location in Albuquerque, NM on 11/24/25. At delivery, salesman demonstrated driver seat moved up/down and stated it just needed a bolt/belt. Co-signer who was present witnessed. Component failed: Driver seat front mounting bolt missing — seat not secured to floor, moves up/down and wobbles side to side. Vehicle was sold with this defect present at delivery. Safety risk: In crash or hard braking, unsecured driver seat can shift, ejection risk, loss of control, seatbelt and airbag will not protect correctly. Driver and any passenger at risk. Elderly co-signer also at risk as passenger. Reproduced/confirmed: Yes. Dealer had vehicle 10/09-10/12/26 for service, did not repair seat, attempted to charge $5,000 for transmission codes P0965 and P0776 limp mode. Vehicle returned 11:05 AM 10/12/26 by tow driver still with same defect. Video taken night of 10/12/26 shows seat still wobbling same as delivery 11 months earlier. Mother-in-law thought it was fixed at 3:19 AM same day, video proves it was not. Inspected by: Dealer service department, independent quick lube shop, tow driver. Warning lamps: Transmission limp mode, check engine light for P0965/P0776 — seat has no warning lamp. Vehicle available for inspection upon request — currently at home address on file, not driven due to safety.

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · NM

Driving on the freeway and car goes into limp mode very dangerous situation as spend was reduced and almost got rear ended by truck

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Driver assistance · NJ

Multiple times the car will brake while triggering the forward collision warning, sending the car into a limp mode of 40mph. This occurs at a stop sign/light, or while passing a car. I had the part replaced and the problem continues.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Transmission · TN

CVT Transmission issues The car looses power starts high RPM and will not shift then accelerator fails to respond altogether causing car to suddenly slowdown in traffic. This is second time this has happened; first occurrence was on 3/27/22. the dealership reprogramed the cars computer that time. 4/23/23 This time I had to have the car towed back to the dealership.

Filed Mar 3, 2023 · Acceleration · CA

I was driving my 2017 Nissan Altima SV, today on 3/3/23, and had just got on to a busy highway. I had my foot on the gas pedal trying to get to 60 mph. However, the car wouldn't accelerate past 40mph and was making a humming noise, even as I floored it. I looked to see if the car was in another gear but it was in drive. I had to pull the to slow lane and try to find a place to turn off. I came to an intersection where I had to stop, and again, couldn't accelerate to the 60mph that other traffic was traveling. It would only go about 40mph. People were changing lanes to pass me in busy Friday afternoon traffic. I finally found a shopping center to stop as I didn't want to get on the freeway to get home. I stopped the car but ended up eventually getting on the freeway and didn't have the problem again for the 15 miles. No check engine light came on at all during the acceleration problems. I have been researching the problem and the car may have gone into limp mode. I am taking the car to the shop tomorrow. I don't drive the car a lot, and it doesn't have a lot of miles on it, so I'm very surprised and terrified now to drive the car. I've been reading people with Altimas saying they have had a hard time getting a diagnosis for this problem because it doesn't occur sometimes at the shop. It's distressing to think this problem may come and go and I could be in 70mph traffic on a busy freeway, which I often am. I have not been in an accident, so no inspections until tomorrow when I go to the mechanic. This if the first time this has happened and I had no indication there could be a problem. I have barely been driving my car for the past two years as I have been working remotely. I bought Nissan 100% because it had a good reputation, but now I'm reading about this weird and potentially deadly problem.

Filed Sep 16, 2022 · NC

On September 14, 2022 at about 7: 30 PM I attempted to shift from park to reverse and the gear shift would not move from park. I reset the park brake and released it once again thinking perhaps the brake did not fully release but it would not go into reverse. The gear shift was locked. I restarted the car and did everything I normally do and still nothing. I wiggled the shift after making sure I pressed the release lock on the shift at the same time and made sure the break was not the cause. Finally the shift released and I was able to put it into reverse. The next morning the same thing happened. I am taking it to the shop for an evaluation. My concern is that this situation is happening more than consumers are reporting and I suggest that NISSAN should look into having a recall for whatever the fix is to correct this so that wear and tear is not what it is considered as. As a result I would like to know what can be done to better address this inevitable problem with the gear shift

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Transmission · PA

I've been experiencing ongoing transmission problems with my car for over 2 years now. The most common problem is when I come to a complete stop, then step on the gas, the car hesitates for about 5 seconds and then takes off very quickly. This happens intermittently, usually after the car has been running for about 15 minutes (or more) although I have had it happen after running for shorter periods of time. If I turn the car off and back on, it does solve the problem temporarily. I can't even count how many times this has happened to me - probably more than 100. My biggest concern with this issue is when I'm at a multi-way stop sign with at least 1 other car at the intersection. It may be my turn to go and I'm trying to go, but other cars may perceive that I'm waiting to let them go. I've taken it to 2 different dealerships and they have not been able to replicate the problem, but most recently, I did send one of those dealerships a video showing the problem. My first report to a dealership was on 6/24/2020 and I've reported it several times since, but they have not done anything to fix it since they were not able to replicate the problem themselves. I sent a video on 7/17/2022 but have yet to hear a response from Nissan. Another issue I've had is general loss of power or inability to shift out of low gear (which has only happened a handful of times, i.e., less than 5 times). For example, merging on a busy highway with a short merge lane and my car had very little power to merge in a small window. And once merged, the car wouldn't shift past 2nd gear, limiting my speed. The second example, I was stopped going up a hill and when I stepped on the gas, I had no power, then it seemed to have a little power but would not shift out of first gear. In both instances, I pulled over and turned the car off and back on and it was ok again. I listed a date below but this is an ongoing issue.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · VA

Gear shift gets stuck in park.

Filed May 27, 2020 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · OH

The car has a delay when accelerating, when starting from a stop. You have to be careful not to push too far on the accelerator since the car will eventually accelerate. The tachometer will also go up to 5000 RPM when going between 55 and 60mph. It will not shift down at high way speed. The only way to correct either issue is to turn the car off and on. Both issues are intermittent but if one occurs the other does also. This only happens after come to a stop a free driving for a period of time. The vehicle is just under three years old with 54,000 miles. Recently I had the dealer look at it and I had to have the transmission fluid changed/inspected, codes/computer checked and the program updated for a grand total of $330. Time will tell if fixed the issue. I had to pay for this even though I am under the 60000 powertrain warrant and the 60000 mile recommended transmission fluid change.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Transmission · GA

Car is not shifting properly by itself when accelerating get stuck in the first gear. Also periodically the pedal has a three second delay when pressing on it to accelerate this happens almost daily. The only remedy that fixes it is to shut the car off and restart it. This happens when the car is stopped as far as the pedal goes. The acceleration where it does not shift can happen at any time but at least happens 2 to 3 times a week does it matter if I'm on the highway or on a regular road.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Transmission · 44,256 miles · AL

The vehicle stalls and won't catch when it is put into gear. I was almost stuck in parking lot while trying to back into a spot. The car jumps/stutters and when it was put on cruise control, it would lose set speed and then catch up again. If I gave the car gas, it wouldn't go even with the pedal to the floor.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 nissan altima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle decelerated and the check engine indicator illuminated. Also, when accelerating from a stop, the gear did not shift into drive until the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to nissan of newnan (678‑552‑4957, located at 783 bullsboro dr, newnan, ga 30265) where it was stated that the warranty expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.