8.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,320
- Average Mileage:
- 117,450 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 26 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (19 reports)
- replace transmission (5 reports)
- rebuild transmission (2 reports)
Slips hard and jerks when going into first and second gear, minor slip into third.
- jjames1392, BUENA, NJ, United States
Screw NISSAN'S! Nothing but problems after problems. I put $3000 just in the car itself and still having problems!! I'm getting rid of it and sticking with Chevy, Dodge, Toyota or Honda. I'm sick of the merry-go-round. Anyone wanna Altima? Lmao! I'm just gonna give it to a junk yard just to get it outta my site...
- Matthew M., Orting, US
The car has been very well maintained. This seems to be a manufacturer's defect.
- Delores T., Upper Marlboro, MD, US
Will be taking into Nissan to have a look at the transmission. I hope they replace it.
- Jenna C., Colorado Springs, CO, US
The car has delayed acceleration. It has trouble getting into third gear and cannot get into fourth. It burns oil and makes loud noises when in drive and rides rough.
- John D., Blackwood, NJ, US
daughter paid for car first loan and upset that altimas have a reoccurring transmission problem that are ignored by nissan!!! engine access transmission slips and shifts hard bang
- 1970_gremlin, Bismarck, ND, US
Automatic Transmission. When shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear (around 20 mph) the transmission shutters. It sounds and feels really awful. Afraid of further damage, it is not being driven, since this started. I'm afraid, from the multiple complaints, just like this, that the transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced. That's a huge expense! Because there are so many identical complaints, Nissan should be recalling these transmissions, and installing good transmissions. It's certainly not my fault. I shouldn't be the one paying for Nissans error.
- Linda K., Destin, FL, US
There seems to be a common theme amongst owners of this car. A tech at a local Nissan dealer told me there is a recall that covers this fix, but it expires at 120,000 miles. Not sure if this is true, but I never knew about it.
My car jerks and slips all the time, but it seems to happen a lot more when I have been driving longer and it is hot outside. My kids won't even ride in my car any more because it makes them sick. I am getting rid of this very soon.
- redskinmikey, Gilbert, AZ, US
I never drive my car. No really. My last job was 5 minutes to work just by taking one freeway exit. I had that job for a year. Prior to that? Just to school and 20 minutes one-way to my previous jobs. 83500 miles were what I logged before my transmission started slipping. At first it was minor slippage, something that a slow delay to acceleration from first to second. Then it dropped. I could only max to 50 mph. I immediately knew this was not a joke.
I was driving to the mechanic when as I was pulling into the parking lot, I was rolling backwards because of the grade of the entrance. No car in drive should ever go in reverse. Especially not after 83500 miles. That's the quality Nissan puts out. The type of cars that will fall apart on you when you never drive them, and take care of your car.
- surgical702, Las Vegas, NV, US
Upon accelerating, the car jerks and it feels as if I've been rear ended. Its like a bump. Is this an actual transmission flaw? What's up with this? Its annoying AND makes me nervous for the life of my car. :(
- cjay10, Atlanta, GA, US
I just bought a used Nissan, I felt a vibration in the engine area had a mechanic look at it he tells me engine mount is weak, they would replace it and 2 days after signing paperwork transmission starts acting up. Go on Google to find out that it's actually the transmission causing the motor mounts to get weak. Unbelievable, Nissan should have to fix this for so many people having issues with it.
- Kimberly M., Gainesvill, FL, US
Nice car. Seats are comfortable. Transmission sucks!
- Kevin P., Wall Township, NJ, US
Vehicle transmission is having trouble shifting into second gear and will violently jerk when it does.
- lado52217, Honolulu, US
My transmission is famous with all the transmissions shops.... only way to fix is to completely rebuild! Paid for one already out of pocket... NO help from Nissan was offered... No recalls officially 3 years ago when done. Since then - seeing tons of people have this issue on this year especially! Apparently it is a design defect though Nissan won't admit it. No aftermarket fixes that I have found since and checked with local shops! Not sure another rebuild is worth it! Any guidance appreciated... Anti slip additive is my next step...
- Richard W., Van Alstyne, TX, US
As much as people trust Nissan, owners should be contacted on all recalls.
- Stacie W., Mountain Home, NC, US
Transmission slipping and jerking while going down the road. It's getting worse each time I drive it.
- Alicia W., Clayton, OK, US
Just wondering if this is a common issue with cars.
- Ann A., Wylie, TX, US
I bought my 2006 Nissan Altima SE-R in 2011 with 75,000 miles on it. I did a lot of research before choosing Nissan. I had always loved Honda but decided to go with the Nissan Altima because I loved the car and Nissan makes such good cars, right??? Wrong!!!!!!!!!
At around 112,000 miles I started noticing that when I would go from reverse to drive my car would hesitate and then jerk really hard into drive. This did not happen every time so I let the issue go on for a month or two and took it into the Nissan dealership and they told me there is an internal issue with the transmission and it needs replaced. My warranty refuses to do anything with the issue until it tore down on some mechanics floor so they can come out and look at it.
As of yet I haven't done so because I know they will just give me the run around and try to either not fix the issue. After I spoke with Nissan and the warranty company, I began doing research and found that Nissan has (had??) a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM for the EXACT SAME ISSUES!!!!!! My Nissan MEETS EVERY CRITERIA. The year, make, model, and transmission type, PLUS ALL TRANSMISSION ISSUES fit to a T!!! Now besides the hesitation and jerking while going from reverse to drive, I am experiencing rough shifting, and when I am driving along and take my foot off of the gas and then try to accelerate again (the car almost completely stops) it does not want to accelerate at first and then the transmission engages with a terrible jerk. The issues are getting increasingly worse and more frequent.
I paid off my car in full within a year of owning it so I cannot just trade it in. I do not have funds to pay car payments at this time. I bought a Nissan expecting QUALITY but I was wrong, and so were HUNDREDS (if not thousands) of other people who invested in these cars. I love my car, but it has been THE WORSE INVESTMENT OF MY LIFE so far. I am highly upset at Nissan's actions, or lack of action in regards to fixing this issue that is effecting many of its customers.
I am in the process of filing complaints with all 3 sites that http://www.nissanproblems.com/trends/transmission-jerking/ has suggested. I am also going to file a complaint with Nissan Consumer Affairs, and my states Consumer Affairs.
I pray to God that this issue will end with a happy resolution where I do not have to pay out of pocket. At this point I DO NOT recommend Nissan to ANYONE because they have failed to acknowledge and resolve an issue that is solely their FAULT that THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE LEFT PAYING FOR. :(
- Shawna P., Indianapolis, IN, US
If you all were aware of the transmission issue, why weren't more people alerted. I am very frustrated due to the expense of spending $3,000 for a transmission. Please help.
- Natalie M., Austell, GA, US
Tranny started slipping out of gear with shift lever in "D." Engine would over rev until I let off the gas or turned off the cruise control. I wanted to change the transmission filter a few years back, but a frame cross member is in the way and you cannot access several of the bolts to remove the filter cover. Literally, you would have to take the whole engine off its mounts and lift the engine/tranny out to change the transmission filter. Really stupid design.
Back to the slipping issue, I barely got the car home on a 70 mile drive. It was really frustrating not knowing if the tranny would re-engage into gear and get me going again. It did it dozens of times. Car is parked and will be scrapped. Sucks, I have brand new tires I just put on it. Tranny replacement cost is more than the car's blue book value, so easy decision to send it to the car crusher.
Never buying a Nissan ever again. I have a 2000 Frontier that's making a weird high pitch sound too. Changed lots of parts, each time hoping that's what is making the noise. Nope. This truck bastard is next for the crusher.
- Phil L., Willcox, AZ, US