Nissan Altima transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
416 of the 1,737 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Altima 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (235), 2017 (133), 2018 (23). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Nissan Altima transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 17 | 11% | — | 30 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 23 | 10% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 133 | 34% | 68k | 52 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 235 | 42% | 67k | 78 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 5 · 2018: 31 · 2019: 79 · 2020: 71 · 2021: 50 · 2022: 55 · 2023: 36 · 2024: 48 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 12
Across the model years, half of the 205 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 50,000 and 82,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was driving on the freeway, as I approached the ramp, my car started moving slow. I press the accelerator to pick up speed, my car jerked a bit. As I proceed to exit the freeway it picked up speed. I arrive at the traffic signal, stopped, when the light changed, I had trouble with my car picking up speed.
My car only has 40,000 miles I bought it brand new at least they sold it new in july 2016 at serra Nissan in bormingham al. And now 2 years as of 2 mths ago 40,000 miles later . The repair shop here in chattanooga, tn informwd me that they had to take the whole transmission out and rebuild it, what?
While driving on the highway vehicle suddenly began experiencing problems with acceleration and began a slow shuddering or shaking. 15 minutes later the engine malfunction indicator light came and lucky for me I was already home. However began experiencing problems keeping the vehicle in gear and the vehicle hesitated to reverse.
2017 Nissan Altima CVT transmission stalls and jerk when driving at 60-65 miles per hour highway and at a red light have to push start to continue driving which can cause injuries or death
My 2018 Nissan Altima just now reached 100,000 miles on it. I was heading home from work on the interstate when my RPMs started revving up and down and it felt I lost power when I was hitting the gas. My transmission started sputtering, vibrating, slipping. When I place it in drive or reverse now it takes time to go in gear.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 7, 2024
- CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Nissan Altima
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Nissan Altima problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Nissan Altima years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 235; 2017, 133; 2018, 23. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (42%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Nissan Altima?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Nissan Altima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 66,010 miles across the model years; half of them between 50,000 and 82,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.