2009 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 95about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,547 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 95 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 6% of the 1,547 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was in motion going 55mph on highway. Suddenly started to lose power and car began to decelerate no matter how much gas I gave it. I had my 3 kids and wife in the car. We're lucky I was able to somehow coast off to the side of the road and wait for a tow. This happened more than once on local roads.”
NHTSA complaint #11138768, filed 2018-10, 170,000 miles“When it's really hot outside and I drive for more than 3 hours my car starts to lose power. When holding the gas pedal down to the floor much car will not accelerate. I have to stop and let the car sit for 20 to 30 minutes before I can drive. The temperature gauge doesn't ever say that the car is hot though. This has happened multiple times now. Each time on a hot day after driving approximately”
NHTSA complaint #11104258, filed 2018-06, 125,000 miles“I have a Nissan Altima just bought 2016. When driving 20 min or more when you come to a stop about 3 seconds after. You feel a shift or jolt, in the engine the harmonic balancer or timing chain. I was driving 70 down i45 busy traffic, as audial and all a sudden my car starts loosing power and I was almost hit in the rear by a mac truck. When I was safely at a stop, I killed it and it cranked back up with half the power. 1500 rpms”
NHTSA complaint #11194367, filed 2019-04, 140,000 miles“Takata recall can't drive too far cuz losing power after hour....we cant go to family vacation on long tripif its lower than $200 that's ok but if it's CVT transmission it's way over my budget it's cost over $5,000......I look over on google n seen a lots of ppl had this problem.....”
NHTSA complaint #11011143, filed 2017-07, 100 miles“Coming home from florida in 2013, the car lost all power going down the interstate. We were able to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and the car would not go any faster. Once we stopped and let the car sit for 15-20 minutes, we were able to go another 100-150 miles before it happened again. This has also happened twice driving home from murfreesboro. We went to florida for vacation this year and the same thing happened on the way there and on the way home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11020210, filed 2017-08, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10091575Sep 9, 2016"altima, sentra, and rogue; cvt fail-safe condition service information this bulletin has been amended. The applied vehicles section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10052883Aug 15, 2014Nissan: the cvt fail-safe logic has caused a reduction with the vehicle's maximum speed. *js updated 11/16/2013 *js updated 9/29/14.
- 10192115Jan 25, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: After having been parked overnight in ambient temperatures between 5°C to -25°C (40°F to -14°F) the vehicle is hard to start or cranks and will not start. And *…
- 10044570Jul 6, 2012Nissan: if continuously variable transmission (cvt) fluid temperature rises above a certain threshold, it will go into fluid protection logic mode (fail safe mode), as designed.
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10038552Apr 11, 2011Nissan: there is a trouble code stored due to software. Some 2009 vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 506 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima
859 complaintsElectrical system
466 complaintsOther or unknown
146 complaintsEngine
107 complaintsAir bags
91 complaintsBody and structure
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsElectronic stability control
26 complaintsWheels
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology