2018 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,104miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Nissan Altima, 11% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,104 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on the highway, during the morning, my car activated the brakes on its own, this is the second time this happens the first time I took it to the dealer and asked for the sensors to be removed, and kept it for a whole day and apparently nothing was done, secondly the (front radar obstruction) is becoming annoying. …”
NHTSA complaint #11280707, filed 2019-11, 10,000 miles“Air cooling system does not work. It will not blow any cold air. Attempted to put freon only for it to burst out a pipe. I was told there is a leakage. When driving and trying to change gears to drive there is a very ugly grinding noise and gear switching is hard. Back up camera goes in and out. Sometimes it's just a black screen. This only happens when reversing.”
NHTSA complaint #11321061, filed 2020-04, 5 miles“Driving along interstate slowed down for traffic light and when I stepped on the gas to accelerate, vehicle would not go even if the accelerator was on the floor could not get above 40mph and RPM were between 4&5 was almost rearended by other traffic. Happened two more times on the highway. Also when driving through slow traffic feels as if transmission is jerking and power is lost.”
NHTSA complaint #11206476, filed 2019-05, 20,000 miles“On several occasions my vehicle fails to accelerate putting passengers and myself in grave danger. Nissan mechanics say they cannot replicate my incidents however they are aware that the problem exists with CVT engines made by Nissan. Nissan of America refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem although thousands of people have posted exact issue on owners forums for years.”
NHTSA complaint #11449664, filed 2022-02“CVT transmission failure while in transport. It put my family at risk being stranded on busy highway. No warning lights or indication of issue except vehicle stopped performing effectively. The dealer acknowledged issues in this and other models and had transmission repaired at my cost. Vehicle was diagnosed by dealer which using OBD they found transmission failure codes..”
NHTSA complaint #11430920, filed 2021-08Related service bulletins
- 11001192Jun 7, 2024CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001202Apr 18, 2024DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IN THE TCM This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10248651Dec 15, 2023CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10246457Nov 2, 2023CVT Warranty Extension REVISION 1 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from May 23, 2023 has been revised to include the following: ⢠The voucher…
- 10236629May 23, 2023CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns…
- 10237565May 9, 2023CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10237563May 8, 2023CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10229597Dec 15, 2022CVT Class Action Owner Notification In mid-December, current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator…
- 10227268Nov 23, 2022DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or…
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 2018 Nissan Altima
60 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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