CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $4,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,400
Average Mileage:
102,150 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (17 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
2007 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2007 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 012020

Altima SE 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased it used in Texas. It was for my girlfriend, I paid $8000. It had 89,000 miles on the the car. This was in March 2017, then 3 years later the transmission just went out. I'm a poor man and that's hard to swallow.

- Larry S., Baton Rouge, US

problem #19

Apr 022019

Altima 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I purchase in 2007 a new Nissan Altima, 4 speed, automatic. I first had transmission problems at approximately 102,000 miles. Nissan was offer free transmission replacements before the 100,000 but since I past the mileage by 2,000 miles they charged me $1,500. Now at $130,000 the transmission went again and I only had 1 year warranty. OMG I will never purchase a Nissan again. Horrible experience. I currently purchase a new car and have mine parked in the garage until I can decide what to do with it. smh

- Nancy M., Winter Springs, US

problem #18

Jun 182018

Altima S 2.5L V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 136,500 miles

I had my Altima maintained at the same dealership I bought it from for as long as I owned the vehicle and was never informed of the CVT transmission issues. Over the last few years I mentioned that the car whined when I accelerated on the highway, but they never recommended that I replace the transmission while it was under warranty (10 years or 120,000 miles). The transmission failed at 136,000 miles. I called the manufacturer and they would not honor the warranty even though I reported the symptoms when I was within the window.

- jcarroll58, Melrose, US

problem #17

Jul 112016

Altima SE 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this car used. 2 weeks after I bought it, the transmission failed. I found out that when I tried to order a new one that they were on back order. When I began investigating I found that this was a widespread problem. I ended up waiting almost 6 months before I got my car fixed.

- Pam S., Petal, MS, US

problem #16

Jul 042014

Altima SL 2.5L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 67,000 miles

The local dealer told me to pay for a rental and they would comp it. They didnt comp it and I had to escalate the case to Nissan America who admitted to terrible customer care by the dealer and took care of a portion of my rental cost.

The service manager lied to my face about it.

Then the transmission started to fail again (jerking, whining, not shifting properly, not starting to move from a stop almost causing a bad accident where a tractor trailer almost slammed into the back of me on a highway at a light going down hill....) at only 78,000 miles! They just throw a refurbished trans that has the same problem the original did.. Trans fluid gets too hot by design of this CVT causing it to lose its lubricating properties resulting in transmission failure. It has been proven.

DO NOT BUY this generation Altima or CVT.

Dangerous, I will never buy another Nissan as long as I live, I was the only owner and took care of it.

- Pdubz13 .., Saddle River, NJ, US

problem #15

Jan 302017

Altima 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 159,000 miles

Sometimes when switching gears the car would jerk sometimes. Other times the car would stuck in gear and I would have to place the car in park or turn it off to get it out of gear. As time went on when I would step on the accelerator and the engine would rev up but the car would not accelerate. I took it a Nissan dealership and they informed me the transmission was failing.

- kaine14, Richmond, KY, US

problem #14

Aug 252016

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car had a slight whine when accelerating for a couple of years, did not know that was the transmission until we looked it up. Wife decided to ignore the issue since it wasn't a loud noise. We never got anything from Nissan either indicating there might be a problem with the CVT and that the warranty was extended to 10 years 120k miles. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, after driving the car for 15 minutes, the car would not accelerate when stopped even with the foot on the gas. After a few seconds, the car would finally accelerate.

Shutting off the car and turning back on would help solve this for a little while longer. Did this a couple times and then the car just stopped accelerating all together and the fastest I could go was 20mph and the check engine light came on. Ending up calling a tow truck. Came up with 2 error codes for the solenoid and another I forget. Took it to my mechanic to diagnose and he said it needed to have the transmission replaced. Googled the problem and saw the transmission extended warranty so decided to take it to a Nissan dealer to see if they will still cover it. Nope, Dealer charged me $130 diagnostic fee and Nissan North America declined to repair the vehicle since it was out of warranty. They should have told us about this extended warranty earlier that way I would have known to look out for this issue. Never buying another Nissan again. Ending up trading in the car and buying a more reliable Honda instead.

- Derek C., Hoffman Estates, IL, US

problem #13

Aug 202016

Altima ES 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 91,000 miles

On vacation, never made it to our location. Broke down about 20 miles after going 300 miles, transmission blew out all the fluid and we were glad it did not catch fire. Had to get towed to a garage where they put in transmission fluid and told us to take it to the dealer for service. Told by dealer that transmission is bad and the part is on back order. We are 175 on the list to get the part, told it would take about a mount to get it fixed. At this point I have to rent a car and get it towed home to get fixed. This is the worst service I have ever seen.

- Brian S., Howell, NJ, US

problem #12

Aug 272016

Altima 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,565 miles

My car Altima 2017 2.5 L suddenly not moving in D position and I tried change to position 1, then moved. Mechanic says to change whole gear box!

- arulgurudev2016, Manama, Bahrain

problem #11

Oct 012015

Altima V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 118,000 miles

I had just had this car for two months when the transmission went completely out. I had noticed a lot of jerking, or when I would put the car in reverse it would jerk really bad and stalled,I would have to put it in park then reverse again and it would finally snap out of it, when I test drove it it drove great of course. But I was on the highway with my two kids when it went out, very scary...I thought I was gonna get smoked from behind, thank God we didn't get hit...but it was on a Sunday so I had to wait for the dealership to open the nest morning. I had to pay for the tow..they did reimburse that, then they sent it to a Nissan dealership wehre they put a rebuilt CVT transmission in it because, luckily again...I was under the extended warranty.

- Selina H., Columbus, IN, US

problem #10

May 022016

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 184,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased the car in Aug of 2007... Transmission replaced in 2009 by the dealer ... today it died again.. I've never had transmission problems ever before... all my cars always went 250,000 miles before... I would never buy a Nissan ever again.. REAL JUNK

- drajczi, Red Hook, NY, US

problem #9

Mar 162016

Altima S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS 60,000 MILES AND HAVE BEEN BARELY DRIVEN ....MAINTAINED WELL BUT LAST MONTH STARTED MAKING THIS AWFUL NOISE. TOOK IT TO GET DIAGNOSED (I THOUGHT THE WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN BEARING OR CV JOINTS BUT WAS ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NOT WORTH REPAIRING ?????

AFTER INQUIRING MORE THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED NISSAN HAS BEEN HAVING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ....I WILL NEVER IN MY LIFE CONSIDER PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE. NOW MY SON IS LEFT CAR- LESS AND IT'S A HASSLE SHARING ONE VEHICLE ...I AM DEVASTATED !!!!!!

- Annmarie H., Lauderhill, FL, US

problem #8

Oct 082012

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 129,000 miles

The car began jerking when shifting into another gear. Took it to a nissan dealership. They did a diagnostic and informed me that I would need a new transmission at a cost of 4000 plus dollars. Called 1 800 Nissan 1. Took my report got back to me and said there is nothing they could do to help. Anyone got any thoughts on what I should do. Needless to say I am angry about this. I have owned other vehicles that had transmissions with over 250000 miles them still run fine. Based on the lack of assistance or care from Nissan I will never by one again.

- Ryan R., Stroudsburg, PA, US

problem #7

Mar 292012

Altima SE 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 121,000 miles

Nissan informed me that the transmission fluid that was initially put in my Nissan when new was not red??? We performed routine maintenance on this vehicle as Nissan standards. They have denied the warranty. We are filing a lawsuit against them for replacement cost and damages

- Michael S., Shelbyville, TN, US

problem #6

Mar 292012

Altima SE 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 121,000 miles

My 2007 Altima was brought into the Cool Springs location with 121,000 miles on it on 03/29/2012 . We were experiencing the telltale signs of a CVT transmission going down. Prior to this asset going to your Cool Springs facility it was taken to a repair shop and 4 quarts of transmission fluid was drained and 4 quarts was replaced and it made no difference. We were told to take it to a Nissan dealer right away which was done. After arrival a service writer at your location called to inform me that the transmission fluid was not touching the dipstick. After I explained and sent the receipt for 6 quarts of transmission fluid (only 4 was needed for refill) that was purchased from Nashville Nissan he changed his mind and said it was touching. Kevin, 2 techs and I all checked that transmission fluid and it was fine after cycling the transmission through several cycles and a drive around the block. Then we were informed of some disturbing practices. We of course ask for coverage on the 1700 miles past normal warranty due in part of the reoccurring issue and the fact that we have purchased the extended warranty when the car was initially purchased. (by the way this is our 2nd Nissan product) The service writer then stated since we had not brought our Nissan into a Nissan facility there was no leniency on the small amount of miles our vehicle is over. On Friday a young lady (CSR) called and left a message around 4.45pm and I immediately called her back only to get voicemail and I of course left a message. That brings me to today. We have been without a vehicle since 03/29/2012 and have still not resolve on if Nissan is going to cover it under warranty or if I am on my own. I apologize for involving you but I am in need of your help.

- Michael S., Shelbyville, TN, US

problem #5

Sep 012010

Altima 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 33,793 miles

My car was a deal to say none the least as far a getting it under market value at the time (27,000) and knocking an extra 500 off the price. At 33,800 I hear a slight rattling sound from the engine/transmission the car drive train gives out and stops in the middle of traffic. Please have yours checked as soon as you see signs of the problem.

- s1reetr1der, Antioch, TN, US

problem #4

Jul 052010

Altima SL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,182 miles

The fourth transmission has failed on this piece of junk. The first one went at around 30k, the second around 90k, the third around 119k. This transmission only lasted 18k. When this transmission was put in at 119k I knew the "new extended warranty" was going to expire at 120k. I asked the dealer how long the transmission was warrantied for and they said 12k. So when this one went I called Ni$$an, they said I had to take it to the dealer, pay them $100 to get a diag and then call them before they will do anything. Average life span on these CVT's for me is around 36k. I've been through more transmissions than tires!!!

- Mark V., Worcester, MA, US

problem #3

Nov 212009

Altima LS 2.5L V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 56,000 miles

Took it in to dealer after warranty with another problem. Found transmission was one issue. But covered under 120k mile basic warranty.

- lordapophis, Waukegan, IL, US

problem #2

Mar 292008

Altima SE 3.5L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 50 miles

I purchased the car on Saturday morning (18 April 2009), drove about 20 miles and returned to the dealer to give them a copy of my insurance card as promised. I then drove out of the parking lot and on to the highway and when shifting into 2nd gear, the manual transmission locked up and I coasted into a parking lot about 100 yards from the dealer. Service was still working and they had no idea what happened so they pushed the car back to the garage and gave me a loaner. Turns out that something in the clutch snapped so they replaced it. Four days later I return to get the car and no sooner as I drove it out of the lot again, I noticed grinding between most of the gears when shifting. Returned to the dealer and started ranting about the issue and why didn't they friggen road test the car before I came to pick it up.

Long story short, they now had to replace the transmission and it's been fine ever since; 1 year and 15,000 miles with no issues. Although the service tech & manager screwed up by not road testing after replacing the clutch, they were otherwise great, realizing their mistake and seeming to feel bad for my issues. I asked for, and they gave me, a premium 100,000 mile extended warranty at no cost for my trouble.

Nissan Corp Customer Service was absolutely no help at all - basically told me to call back if I have the same problem 2 more times ^%^%$%!

- craignj, Bridgewater, NJ, US

problem #1

Aug 312008

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

My transmission went out twice in the first 34,000 miles, and second time was 500 miles from home, on vacation, and after it was repaired, Nissan customer service refused to help with transporting vehicle back to my home and my rental beyond 5 days is not covered and other expenses, lost work, motel, etc. have not been covered thus far retrieving my car from Nissan service where it broke down. A real disappointment, as I like the vehicle. Nissan service at local dealers have been kind, national Nissan customer service deserves the black eye.

- Charles A., Rapid City, SD, US

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