When starting from a dead stop, accelerate to about 2400 rpm, and hold gas pedal at this position. As the car accelerates, RPMs go up, and can get as high as 4500 -5000 RPM at about 50mph. If you notice this, you can let off of the gas, and watch the RPM gauge until it drops below 2000- RPM. If you then accelerate, all works normal. Driving at 60 mph shows about 2200-2400 RPM. However, if you start out from a stop, with RPM’s at 2000 – 2100 RPM, and slowly accelerates; the transmission seems to be shifting as designed.

Rattle Noise when driving slowly, or slowing down at a traffic light. (Recall programming already performed on this car.)

How to hear the noise: Drive car at 10-15 mph, coasting in "D" while off the throttle. RPM range is about 1300 -1600. Driver window down, all other windows up. A/C and Radio off. Drive near a sound-reflecting surface on the left side like some parked cars or a wall. The sound is a rattling/chattering/grinding sound, kind of like the sound that bicycle gears make when you're coasting, except much more rapid and louder.

Steering wheel vibrates between 32 and 40 mph affecting steering ability. I read that there a TSB on this, and it suggested the CVT. Not sure if this is true, but, this needs to be checked.

Took my car to the mechanic before planning a long 2200 mile trip to California. After getting the rear rotors, pads, and caliper replaced for $600 he said that he noticed a "whining" noise on the car and that I should take it to the dealer to get looked at. I then jumped on Google to see if this was a normal problem with Altimas. I was blown away by the number of complaints I saw about the transmission failures and was very worried I had purchased a lemon. So I took it into the dealer this morning and signed a form stating that I would pay $140 test for the diagnostic check if in fact the problem was related to a problem that was covered under warranty. I got a call back this afternoon saying that they will replace the transmission under warranty for free and they will replace it with a brand new transmission. I applaud the dealership for doing this quickly and without a drawn out argument.

Few notes:

1) note that I only have 58,500 miles on my car. A blow transmission at this point is very alarming for a car manufacturer

2) Nissan extended the transmission warranty to 10 yr, 120K, voluntarily, to all customers, because this was such a reoccurring issue with the transmission (also, very alarming)

3) I'm guessing that the new transmission I will get will also be defective and last for 50-60K miles, that is unless, these sets of transmissions were re-engineered, which I can't confirm for deny.

If you have an Altima, and your transmission makes a high pitched whining noise, I would get your car checked out, but if it isn't that bad of an issues, then they could make up some bs that it isn't too bad and charge you $140 for the diagnostic test.

I just bought this car after researching it online and reading Consumer Buying Guides, this brand of car was rated highly for many years I purchased it on 4-2-15 and while driving from Ohio to Georgia on 4-4-15. While traveling through Tennessee I noticed a low pitch whining noise.

When I got to my destination I took the car to a repair shop in Stockbridge Ga and was told the noise was probably coming from the transmission, but they were not completely sure what was going on. A few days later I took it to Aamco Transmission and was told that the differential inside of the transmission was causing the problem and that it will cost twenty five hundred dollars to replace it with a used transmission that have forty thousand miles on it. I was told by Aamco that it cannot be rebuild because parts are not available.

The dealership gave me a 50% ninety day or 3000 miles warranty, but they are trying to avoid honoring it. I am not sure what to do at this point, since I don't want to replace it and have the same problem after a few thousand miles. From what I am reading this maybe a problem inherent to that particular transmission. Also the shop told me the transmission will last several months and not to worry until the noise gets much louder and it was safe to drive it back to Ohio, never again will I buy a Nissan.

Same old problem, whining transmission, was hoping it was in the wheel hub, unfortunately turns out after a second opinion at two different repair shops the transmission, noticed it originally on the interstate driving about 75mph @ about 80,000 miles several years ago (a low pitch whine) which seemed to go away but didn't think a lot about it, now at 168,000 it has gotten much louder. Since now way out of the Nissan extended transmission warranty (120,000 miles) priced a lower mileage used transmission @ $1,200 and am now trying to figure out if I will be throwing my money away?

I drive a 2008 Altima SL trim with the 2.5. I do a lot of highway miles and at the 60,000km point I noticed a whining noise and after the tech and I took it out he agreed that it was the transmission. It was replaced. At 128,000km the same whining noise and the same result....a new transmission. I then received a letter in the mail from Nissan stating that all Altima owners with the CVT transmission were covered to 200,000 km.

I am now at 146,000km and it is whining again.....WHAT THE HELL! including the original this will be 4 transmissions in just over 3 years or 146,000 kms.

This time however the dealer has been giving me the run around saying they have paperwork to fill out and they are waiting for the Nissan technical specialist to come and inspect the vehicle. Its now been almost 2 weeks. I have had it.....GIVE ME A NEW CAR ALREADY! :(

I hear this Lemon Law stuff being thrown around and was wondering if there is such a thing in Canada. I was told I should pay a lawyer $500 to draft a letter and send it to Nissan stating that we request a new vehicle because of what I have gone through.

I have had enough already and an super frustrated but its like taking on the government....you don't seem to get anywhere. So much for my hard earned money I guess.

This is BOGUS!

Nissan's idea of the CVT that they first came out with in 2003 is ridiculous! This thing, hunts, jerks, & wines at speeds below 40 MPH and is very f'in annoying! Nissan has no fix for this. Nissan's NS-2 CVT fluid is very expensive $20.00 per QT. No trans filter, & no fuel filter. Sounds like a real winner designed this. I have a friend that has an 03 Murano FWD with the CVT, had it serviced at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change (quick lube joint) who flushed the trans, with the wrong fluid, and 20 K later, no trans. Nissan's cost to replace with a reman: $5785.00 ANYONE WITH A CVT: U MUST USE NS-2 or a REDLINE BRAND FLUID. THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTES! Fuel pump replacement in the Murano, $980.00 2 fuel pumps in the tank, and no fuel filter. Seems like another design issue Nissan will not admit to....... I bet the dirt in the fuel clogs the screens in the tank and burns the pump's out!

I had this checked by the dealership and they brushed me off saying there was nothing wrong. I am now dating an AES certified Mechanic who says my transmission whines on accleration and I've just grown used to the problem. The car runs great otherwise with the exception of the ignition problem I'm now having. The push button does not work sometimes and this began in August 2010. I took it once again to the dealership and since they could not replicate the problem, charged me $100 for checking my electrical system and sent me on my way. My boyfriend is now looking at the starter to see if this is the problem. I guess I'm not fixing the transmission as it is now out of warranty.

I am truly amazed at what I have read! I thought I was the only one going through this with a car this new!!! I have the same complaint with the 2008 Altima. My transmission whines while driving or slowing down to stop! I believe all dealerships have been told to tell customers the same thing! I stop in to have an oil change and tire rotation on July 12th, 2010 and when pulling off the lot my husband noticed a loud whining sound. When taking the car back the service manager knew just from my explanation that I needed a new transmission. He said that mine did however sound different from any of the others he had heard. WHATEVER!

He said he would call Nissan and contact me shortly. Two weeks passed and I called 5 times leaving messages, never got a return call. FINALLY on August 10, 2010 I spoke to the service manager who stated, " There are so many of them (Transmissions) going out that they are on back order from the factory, so we'll just have to wait until one comes in to fix yours. Oh and it's ok to continue driving the car, ha you could drive it to California if you want to." Well since then the sound has only gotten louder and the car tries to die when I try to accelerate from a stop.

I feel as if I am getting the run around with this and that Nissan is trying to keep this hidden. I think it's crap if you ask me. On top of this my radio display keeps fading out.. the words out of the service man's mouth were, "Oh you'll have to get a whole new radio. The LCD crystal goes out in the display. It's very typical in the Altima." Well if it's typical, why don't you do something different!? I love how the commercial says, "The reliable Altima!" WHATEVER! I just want to get rid of it!

Ok every one i bought my 2008 Nissan Altima coupe new in 2008. In the last 8 months the transmission has been replaced 3 times. I am told by NISSAN that the reason is because i drive so much. Ok i drive 40 miles to work and 40 miles home thats 80 miles a day. The transmission is getting to hot and the oil brakes down causing the problems. It makes the loud whining nose. even the dealer told me there is NO real fix for this problem. They replaced my last transmission and the one that put in only lasted 4000 miles yea my car is at the dealer right now getting transmission number 3 put in.

The bottom line is nissan has no fix for this problem at this time. So if your car is making the noise then take it to the deal and make them put in a new transmission UNDER WARRANTY. I may self am getting and lemon law lawyer and going after Nissan. I suggest every one dose this.

Update from Sep 3, 2010: Update I filed for lemon law with Nissan I did get a call back and Nissan IS buying my car back under the Lemon Law. To me this proves that the problems with the transmission is a issue that dose not have a real fix. I urge all that are having the issue with the winning sounds to take your car to the dealer and make sure they look in to the CVT transmission and have it fixed THIS IS NOT JUST A SOUND don't let the dealer try to pull that crap on you. if you check out www.carlemon.com it will give you more info on how the lemon law works.

I am a nursing student and have a 50 mile commute through backwoods. I have a Wedding to go to in another state. Cleve White Nissan in Statesboro, Ga continues to put me off on when they can fix the problem. When I called and asked for a loaner to go to this wedding, they refused. Told me if it breaks down they will pay to tow if it is normal business hours. If the product is defective then until it can be fixed I should be provided with a safe vehicle to drive. I neede a Nissan number to complain too.

I have the same engine noise/problem along with a CVT trans (52k) that is making a whirrring noise and getting louder. Two dealers said the engine noise in cold and at idle in warm temps is a normal condition of the car... never would have purchased it had it sounded that way!

I'm being told my CVT noise is the 1st one they've heard of.... yeah right; that's why Nissan extended the warranty and reimbursed customers who had what they call "unexpected large expenditures" (like George Carlin said "language is manipulative"... "we don't have slums; no it's low income housing" There are no short people; no, they're vertically challenged"... on and on)

I've got 3 ticket opened with Nissan Consumer Affairs and it's gotten me stonewalled. Nissan could give a RATS A55! The Consumer Affairs staff is just smart enough to run a phone and cash a paycheck so don't even look for more; keep the bar low on that one.

The dealerships are nothing more than slickster clowns who are still stuck in highschool.

My 2008 Nissan Altima was purchased in part due to the level of quiet when running. We took the car to the Nissan dealer to complain about a whining sound when the car runs about 45. They said to bring it back and they would test it. We did and they said it was the transmission (something with-in the transmission and that because it is a sealed transmission we may never know what is wrong) and that it needed to be replaced. They then told us that under the warranty it would have to be approved to order the new transmission and it could be a week to two before it comes in. They also said it is only a noise and will not cause damage to the car to drive it. That was over three weeks ago with a call to them weekly.

The noise is steadily getting louder (now makes the noise at any speed) to the point where the radio needs to be turned up to cover the awful sound (sounds like a plane taking off) but they say it is only a noise. So today I call again (my weekly call) to be told that they still do not have the transmission in and that it is a known problem (news to me as the car owner), that is why they extended the warranties, and maybe they are trying to fix the transmissions before sending them out to the dealers to replace the defective ones. Also, they are being told that the noise is 'normal' in some cars including the Altima. BULL. It was not there for the first 1+ year that I drove it daily!!! And if it were there, or 'normal' as they say, I would never have bought the car. I just want my car fixed before the problem gets too big for them to handle.

Update from Mar 12, 2010: Took the car back to the dealer last Friday for now a new noise on top of the old noise as well as my emergency lights (tire pressure and engine lights) flashing on and off. Turns out that on top of the original transmission issue that needs to be replaced, my belt in my transmission is bad. They contacted the company and gave me a 'release date' for a new transmission on March 19th. I should have a new transmission by the end of the month!