RoadVitals

2010 Nissan Altima Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
62
Latest Jun 21, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 380 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 62 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 62, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 21, 2025

I am having problems with my ECU malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my O2 sensors to malfunction. I'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number NTB 12-040 d

NHTSA ID
11668297
Incident
Jun 17, 2025
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2023

At some point on the highway the car throttles down to less than 60 mph. Mashing the gas pedal to the floor results in nothing happening. This causes a dangerous road situation with the slower speed, but the worst part is when it suddenly begins to accelerate again, potentially hitting the car in front of you unexpectedly. No mechanic can reproduce the effect as it only takes place after driving on the highway for an hour or so.

NHTSA ID
11535771
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2023

My name is [XXX] and I can be reached at [XXX]...The dashboard has many cracks on it and it looks like it's melting too by the sun rays. It's very sticky when you touch it too. Vehicle tends to slow down a lot when I am driving as if I am about to get transmission problems soon. I see many people who already complained this transmission issue. My car has about 130,646 miles on it. The passenger air bag is consistently on and I hope it won't deploy on its own. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11528871
Incident
Jun 26, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)Seat belts
Filed Jun 21, 2023

Ever since i got the car in May of 2022 I have had problems with my transmission, engine and problems with excessive oil leaking. I’ve tried to get it fixed. None of the repairs have fixed my car even with my warranty and I’m still having problems with it. I have also needed to get a valve cover replacement and many repairs to my engine. My dashboard also has difficulties working and turning on. Sometimes my brakes are faulty and require changes frequently. I also have no seatbelts in my backseat

NHTSA ID
11528114
Incident
May 17, 2022
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated without warning. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was then towed to a different local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11442151
Incident
Nov 11, 2021
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,324.

NHTSA ID
11400316
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Mileage
106,324 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 4, 2021

I DROVE MY CAR THE DAY BEFORE IT WAS FINE. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR A 2010 ALTIMA 3.5 SR I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . I PRECISELY PRECEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO GO TO WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE OVER 20 MPH. CAR INTERMEDIATELY STARTED OVERHEATED AND DIED . I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL INFINITI DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THE CAR BUT THE 1ST OWNER NEVER FIXED IT. THE PROBLEM WAS A STEP MOTOR , THE CAR HAD NO POWER , NOW AFTER PAYING 3K FOR A NEW RADIATOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DATES BACK TO A RECALL YEARS BACK NISSAN HAD. THIS IS UNSAFE . I COULD'VE LOST MY LIFE . I STILL HAVE A LEAN ON MY VEHICLE IT HAS WORN CONTROL ARMS , AND CVT ISSUES GALORE IF THIS IS NOT FIXED SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED I PROMISE YOU . TOTALED OVER 8K IN REPAIRS SHAME ON NISSAN AND COMMON FUCCIN SAFETY BRO !!!!!! TOTAL JUNK AND UNSAFE AND IS INOPERABLE AND STILL ISN'T PAID OFF WHOOO HOOO JUST KILL US ALL NISSAN !!!!

NHTSA ID
11386344
Incident
Jan 4, 2021
Mileage
137,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 19, 2020

ERROR CODES THROUGH SENSOR WARNINGS, I REPLACE ONE SENSOR NOW ANOTHER SENSOR ERROR. I'M ABOUT 1000.00 IN REPLACING ELECTRICIAL ISSUES AND MECHANIC SAYS THE CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND HE CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. CAR WON'T RUN LONGER THAN 30 MINS. REPLACED CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND APP SENSOR.

NHTSA ID
11384184
Incident
Jun 4, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2020

MY CAR LOSES POWER ON THE FREEWAY AND IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I TYPICALLY DRIVE ON NORTH DALLAS TOLLWAY IN DFW AREA AND THE OTHER DAY I HAD TO EXIT BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST POWER AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR 60 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING INTERMITTENT ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE. I FOUND ONLINE THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11350572
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 21, 2020

AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN LATE 2019, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. I LATER FOUND THAT THE YEAR, MODEL, AND MAKE OF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS, AMONG OTHER SAFTEY ISSUES. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS, THE CONCLUSION WAS MADE THAT IT WAS INDEED THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND STEPPER MOTOR CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PARTS AS OF YET. THE CAR HAS ONLY 96K MILES ON IT. WHEN THE ISSUE ARISES, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO A "SAFE" MODE. THIS MODE CREATES A THROTTLE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE CANNOT TRAVEL FASTER THAN 40 MPH WITHOUT A HIGH PITCH WIND UP SOUND AND A CUT IN POWER OF ALMOST 50%.

NHTSA ID
11340766
Incident
Jul 21, 2020
Mileage
96,667 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2020

SEAT SLID OFF THE BRACKET .. PASSENGER AIR BAG NEVER WAS ON AND THE TRANS SOMETIME WOULD NOT SHIFED WHEN IT SHOULD ..

NHTSA ID
11318049
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
2,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11278860
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Mileage
127,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2019

TRANSMISSION SKIPPING

NHTSA ID
11232170
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2019

CAT TRANSMISSION GOING OUT

NHTSA ID
11232167
Incident
Jul 3, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2019

MY CAR HESITATES TO PULL OUT UNTIL OVER 20 MPH I HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH IS THROWING A CODE I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A CAR LOT!

NHTSA ID
11229969
Incident
Mar 12, 2019
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jun 22, 2019

MY STRUTS BEGINNING TO SOUND HORRIBLE. I WAS TRAVELING AND AS I WOULD SPEED UP THE RPMS WOULD GO HIGHER MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER AND IT'S SAID TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID.

NHTSA ID
11221861
Incident
Jun 22, 2019
Mileage
187,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 19, 2018

THE VERY FIRST ISSUE WAS VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE IN AIRPORT TRAFFIC. IT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY BUT CUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED AND DROVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM REFUSED TO REPLICATE. THE CURRENT ISSUE NOW IS THAT THE RPM JUMPS UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP WHILE VEHICLE DE-ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE SOMETIMES RUNS LIKE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED. WHEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO ENGAGE THE GEAR.

NHTSA ID
11162408
Incident
Dec 13, 2018
Mileage
112,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2018

VEHICLE WILL NOT GO PAST 60 MPH, THEN WITHIN 24 HOURS WOULD NOT GO PAST 40 MPH, WITHIN 24 MORE HOURS, VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH AND HAS EXTREME POWER LOSS. WAS EVALUATED BY TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING.

NHTSA ID
11151613
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Mileage
187,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 29, 2018

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 20MPH TO 40MPH THE RPMS INCREASE TO 3RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO CHANGE THE GEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010. IT HAS 220,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THIS US A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. NISSAN ALSO SENT OUT A BULLETIN NTB10-121B. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE ISSUE AT THEIR COST. ATTACHED IS THE PDF OF THE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ID
11143642
Incident
Oct 26, 2018
Mileage
220,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2018

DRIVING ON I95 FROM GATLINBURG MY CAR STARTED MAKE A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISIE, SHUCK IT'S HAS DONE BEFORE JUST NOT THIS BAD, IT HAS BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND JUST STOPPED AND LET IT SIT AND IT STOPPED . NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYTTIME I GET IN THE CAR. OR THAT I HAVE TO BEG IT GO WHEN IT'S IN GEAR, WHEN I PULL OUT I'D DOESN'T GO. I'VE NOTICE IF I SLAM IT FROM TO PARK FORCEFULLY TO DRIVE IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE UNTIL THE WHINING AND JERKING START. I KNOW THIS IS A TRANNY ISSUE AND I I KNOW IT'S WARRANTY RORB10 YRS OR 120000 MILES I'M AT 102! AND I CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ID
11119522
Incident
Aug 6, 2018
Mileage
101,869 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 10, 2018

TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND WITH NO WHERE SAFE TO PULL OVER CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE TOOK SO LONG TO GET UP TO SPEED I THOUGHT SOMETHING TERRIBLE WAS GOING TO HAPPENED. WHEN I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE I PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DECIDED TO TRY AGAIN AND IMMEDIATELY IT STARTED SHUTTERING AND NO POWER I INSTANTLY PULLED OVER CALL MY HUSBAND AND THEN CALLED A TOWING SERVICE. I'VE READ SINCE THIS HAPPENED ITS MORE COMMON AND DANGEROUS THAN I EVER IMAGINED..

NHTSA ID
11119270
Incident
Jul 18, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2018

PROBLEM: ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY AND CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO HIGHER GEAR PREVENTING CAR FROM GOING MORE THAN 20 MPH ON A 75 MPH HIGHWAY. NISSAN TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED 100% UNDER THE WARRANTEE EXTENSION IF THE CAR HAD BEEN WITHIN THE 120,000 LIMIT. OUR CAR WAS JUST 8% OVER THAT LIMIT BUT NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT HELP IN ANY WAY. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND DOUBLED THE WARRANTEE BUT THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE CAUSING THESE CVT TRANSMISSIONS TO FAIL AT 120,000 MILES ARE CAUSING THEM TO FAIL AT 131,000 MILES IN MY CASE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MANDATED. THIS IS A DOCUMENTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11090379
Incident
Apr 6, 2018
Mileage
131,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 11, 2018

CVT TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY GAVE OUT TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS GOING 65 ONE MINUTE AND THEN LOST COMPLETE POWER. STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE FOR MORE INFO ONLY TO FIND HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM ALL MODELS AND YEARS FROM 2007 TO 2016! MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN A SPECIAL WARRANTY ISSUED BY NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT IT'S ONLY VALID UNDER 120K MILES. NOW I HAVE NO CAR, NO MONEY TO FIX THIS ONE OR BUY ANOTHER. THE UNRELIABILITY HAS RUINED MY LIFE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO GET BY. SADLY, THE FEAR OF WHAT I'M GOING TO DO WITH MY FUTURE IS ONLY SECOND TO THE FEAR I FELT THIS MORNING WHEN THE CAR I'VE POURED A LOT OF MONEY INTO AND TAKE TREMENDOUS CARE OF ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. NO DASH LIGHTS. NO WARNING. NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. FINE ONE DAY, COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE THE NEXT. I WAS ON 83 NORTH IN MD AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A SEMI DOING 70+ MPH IN THE LEFT LANE.

NHTSA ID
11084589
Incident
Apr 11, 2018
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 2, 2017

WHEN I DRIVE IT VERY FAR, IT SLOWS DOWN AND WON'T GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 50MPH. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET IT COOL OFF BEFORE IT WILL GO FASTER.

NHTSA ID
11012405
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
126,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2017

ONE DAY ON THE FREEWAY THE CARS RPMS WAD GOING UP AND DOWN WITHOUT ME PRESSING OR TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH. THAT WAS I NOTICED FIRST. THE A COUPLE DAYS LATER CAR WAS SHIFTING HARD INTO REVERSE. I WENT AND GOT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULDNT MOVE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR WONT MOVE. MY SLIP LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON NOW. CAR GAVE ME A CODE OF PO725 ENGINE SPEED SENSOR INPUT CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I HAVE REPLACED IT AND THE CAR STILL WONT MOVE.

NHTSA ID
10984150
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Mileage
112,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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