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Nissan Altima transmission failure problems

443 of the 15,497 owner complaints about the Nissan Altima describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
443
worst model year
2013
typical repair cost reported
$4,000
typical mileage
77,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

CVT failure 154Stalling 77Jerking 59Check engine light 52Shudder 33Loss of power 32Hesitation 26Slipping 19

Trouble codes mentioned

P0776 9P0841 5P2813 3P17F0 2P0965 2U1000 1P17F1 1P1778 1P1715 1P1700 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · DC

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 stranded in an extremely hazardous location with vehicles, including large commercial trucks, traveling nearby at highway speeds. I feared for my life because I had no way to move my vehicle to safety or protect myself from a potential collision. The situation was so dangerous that a State Trooper with Highway Patrol had to intervene and arrange assistance to have my disabled vehicle removed from the highway. Had Highway Patrol not arrived, I genuinely believe I could have lost my life. This was not a minor inconvenience or an ordinary vehicle breakdown. It was a potentially fatal safety incident caused by the vehicle's sudden and complete inability to move. Following the incident, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle and determined that the transmission requires replacement. The diagnostic findings included P17F0 (CVT Judder), P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B performance/stuck off), and P2813 (Pressure Control Solenoid G control circuit range/performance). Before the complete failure, the vehicle had experienced hesitation, vibration, and difficulty accelerating. I am extremely concerned that this type of transmission failure can occur suddenly while a vehicle is operating in active highway traffic, potentially resulting in a serious or fatal collision. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this incident as a significant vehicle safety concern and determine whether a safety-related defect exists in the CVT transmission system of the 2018 Nissan Altima. I have supporting diagnostic documentation and towing records, and the vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · NC

The HVAC system in my 2016 Nissan Altima produces cold air, but the airflow is not properly directed through the dashboard vents toward the occupants. Instead, the airflow is primarily directed toward the floor and windshield. This problem has continued throughout the summer of 2026. I have two children, ages [XXX] and [XXX], who ride in the vehicle. My [XXX] daughter rides in the vehicle frequently because I transport her to and from her year-round school. She has repeatedly complained about being extremely hot in the vehicle and has become visibly red and sweaty because the cold air is not adequately reaching the passenger area. My [XXX] son has also been affected by the heat. I have tried to compensate by driving with the windows and sunroof open to create additional airflow. However, this does not adequately address the problem when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly. On XXX, while waiting in a drive-thru with several vehicles ahead of me and vehicles behind me, my [XXX] daughter repeatedly said that she was very hot. She became visibly red, sweaty, increasingly uncomfortable, and eventually began crying because of the heat. I could not immediately exit the line because vehicles were positioned both in front of and behind my vehicle. This incident caused me serious concern about continuing to transport my children under these conditions. I previously took the vehicle to an independent repair facility regarding the HVAC problem and was advised that this repair needed to be addressed by a Nissan dealership. I subsequently contacted a Nissan dealership regarding diagnosis and repair. This vehicle has also experienced two previous transmission failures and a prior A/C compressor failure. The manufacturer previously provided assistance with repairs involving the transmission and A/C compressor. I am reporting the current HVAC airflow failure because I am concerned about the safety consequences of conditioned air not being adequa INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

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. Transmission replacement recommended and my car only has 53,000 miles on it but is outside the 84 month extended warranty drafted from class action lawsuits and settlement. I was not aware of these lawsuit when this vehicle was recommended to me by Hall Honda as Hall Nissan sent it to them for me to see. No additional warranty was given nor was I informed that since the car only had 21,000 miles it was covered under the settlement of 80,000 miles 84,000 month. I WOULD HAVE WALKED, NO RAN, AWAY FROM THIS CAR IF I HAD BEEN TOLD OF THE LAWSUITS. Nissan wants me to pay nearly 6,200.00 for a new transmission that they knew was faulty to begin with. The only other option they gave was that they would give me a 3,000.00 allowance for them to purchase my car and apply that to another (probably faulty) vehicle from them. The issue I have with this is that I still owe 8,700.00 on a car that cost me over 17,000.00 which would make me have to roll the remaining 5,700.00 into another loan. Ludicrous that the dealerships are able to get away with this because they don’t want to admit their cars are faulty! I need Nissan to own up to this and perform a “goodwill” repair at no cost to me for the transmission. Nissan consumer complaints was not helpful at all. The only option I have after this is to file a claim in small claims court which I will probably lose.

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 Feb 20, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

The transmission failed in my 2015 Nissan Altima. The check engine light is currently on due to a defective transmission. While I understand that Nissan extended the transmission warranty by two years or 24,000 miles following a class action lawsuit, I find this coverage completely unreasonable, insufficient and irresponsible, and most importantly unsafe. My vehicle has only 83,800 miles and has been well-maintained, yet the transmission still failed. While driving in the freeway in San Diego, the vehicle suddenly lost complete transmission engagement and power. My vehicle was almost rear ended by multiple cars. The check engine light appeared after the transmission failure. A Nissan dealer later confirmed the vehicle needs a new transmission. Nissan and the federal safety agency should have done a complete recall after the class action lawsuit against Nissan for putting faulty transmission on Altimas 2015.

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CT

On August 30, 2025, while driving on the highway, my 2019 Nissan Altima displayed a “CVT (AT) Hot / Power Reduced” warning. Power was limited, but the engine did not shut off. I immediately scheduled service at Paul Miller Nissan in Fairfield, CT. At the September 2, 2025 visit, the repair order stated: “Customer states CVT (AT) Hot Power Reduced display in dash. All past codes stored; cleared all past codes stored.” No complete diagnostic test, CVT pressure test, or fluid inspection was performed. The dealership did not preserve the freeze-frame data from the TCM. I was told that no current fault codes were present and that the vehicle was safe to operate. Relying on the dealership’s professional assurance, I continued normal use of the vehicle. About a couple of weeks later, the vehicle began to jerk and lose smooth acceleration intermittently, worsening by the sixth week. I promptly returned for service. On October 21–22, 2025, the same dealership confirmed transmission codes P0776 and P17F0, diagnosing a CVT failure and recommending full replacement. When questioned about prior diagnostic data, the service manager stated that all data from the September visit had been cleared and that the freeze-frame information was deleted and no longer available. This handling contradicts Nissan’s standard CVT diagnostic protocol, which requires documenting stored codes, inspecting CVT fluid condition, and recording internal temperatures before clearing data. Nissan Consumer Affairs later stated their review relied solely on the dealership’s findings and that missing diagnostic data would not be retrieved. Since the confirmed failure, I have been forced to rent a vehicle at my own expense, exceeding $1000 to date. The vehicle’s reduced power and transmission failure created a serious safety risk, especially as I transport my children in this vehicle. The dealership’s erasure of diagnostic evidence prevented accurate evaluation and timely repair. The issue remains unresolved.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine · LA

Check engine light came on will not go off transmission fluid burnt replaced transmission fluid because transmission was slipping out of gear not finding the correct gear I do believe it was starting off in second gear instead of first. Drive slightly better in manual after fluid gets warm but not overheating the car will start jerking and threatening to kill losing power in the accelerator and going uphill also having trouble with the car going into reverse and drive. I had no choice but to replace the transmission fluid myself due to lack of funds and now dealership refuses to touch my vehicle for repairs. I called Nissan to make a complaint and they hung up on me. Car was just paid off October of 2024. This situation with my transmission began November of 2025.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · GA

My CVT transmission has been replaced three times by Nissan. I am currently on the third CVT transmission and it has failed requiring a fourth CVT transmission replacement. I was in a few different situations each time the trasmission failed that were unsafe. I've been at intersections, trying to accelerate forward when the stop light turns green causing me to stop in the middle of intersections or accelerate slowly through the intersection which is very dangerous. I've been on the highway going normal highway speeds over 60mph when I would lose power and try to keep my speed and my car would stay in the 15mph - 40mph, having to turn my hazard lights on so other drivers know I'm having issues accelerating. The first time I took my car to the dealership, they could not recreate the issue after having my vehicle for 30 days. I received my car back and the engine light finally came on after some time and I immediately took my car to the dealership where they confirmed the CVT transmission was the issue.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · OH

My transmission blew out of nowhere on my 2014 Nissan Altima. It’s 6,200 to fix… I had to get it towed.

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Transmission · SC

Transmission was completely replaced by Nissan 8/2023 after failing. June 2025 transmission fails again is needs yet another complete replacement. Nissan will not assist. Claims "warranty period" expired. BRAND NEW transmission fails in under 2 years and around 10k miles???

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported September 2, 1994 · 1,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a bracket to prevent the shift position pin from breaking the shift lever lock plate.

Recall number 94V165000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Altima transmission failure

Which Nissan Altima years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (130 complaints), 2014 (71 complaints) and 2016 (49 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Nissan Altima?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 115 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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