SERVICE 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 actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
severe 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 56 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 56 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SERVICE 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 driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: THE CVT FAIL-SAFE LOGIC HAS CAUSED A REDUCTION WITH THE VEHICLE'S MAXIMUM SPEED. UPDATED 11/16/2013 UPDATED 9/29/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Altima's powertrain, particularly the CVT automatic transmission, generates the bulk of complaints in this cluster. The most common failure is sudden, dramatic loss of acceleration: the engine RPM climbs but the vehicle will not move faster than 30–55 MPH, even with the throttle floored. This happens without warning during highway driving, city traffic, or on hills, trapping drivers in traffic lanes or at intersections. Many owners report whining, grinding, or clicking noises before or during the failure. Another major issue is transmission overheating on sustained hill climbs or long highway stretches—the vehicle can maintain speed only until climbing a grade, then tops out at 45–55 MPH.
A serious safety defect affects CVT models without ABS: after hard emergency braking, the transmission locks in a high gear and the vehicle becomes dead-stick for up to a minute—the throttle is unresponsive and the car will not move. The only recovery is to restart the engine or shift Park-Drive. Owners also report the CVT rolling backwards on minor slopes while in Drive, and rare cases of backward roll at very low mileage (around 1,000 miles). One owner reported transmission failure preceded by jerking and Check Engine light at just 3,500 miles, followed by engine fire on the front driver side.
The manual transmission also exhibits critical issues: one 6-speed manual would not upshift, downshift, or release from its engaged gear—an unpredictable failure that persisted even after multiple warranty replacements of the clutch master cylinder, pressure plate, disc, and transmission itself.
Failures occur across a wide mileage range (4,500 to 180,000+), but cluster heavily between 50,000 and 140,000 miles. Many occur just past the 120,000-mile powertrain warranty cutoff. Nissan has issued technical service bulletins (NTB-13-079, NTB-12-057, TSB-NTB10-143A) addressing CVT cooler and fail-safe issues but has not issued a recall. Dealers consistently state the only fix is full transmission replacement, costing $4,200 to $6,000+. Some owners report having the transmission replaced three times on the same vehicle before 110,000 miles—all under warranty—yet the problems recurred.
Same Nissan Altima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure—loss of power/acceleration
The continuously variable transmission suddenly loses the ability to accelerate or maintain speed, often without warning. The engine RPM climbs high but the car does not move forward, or movement is severely limited to 30–55 MPH regardless of throttle input. This occurs during highway driving, city traffic, or on inclines, and sometimes traps the driver unable to move the vehicle out of traffic lanes or intersections.
When: Ranges from 4,500 miles to 181,000 miles; many failures reported between 50,000 and 140,000 miles, often shortly after or just past the 120,000-mile warranty limit
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM rises but car will not accelerate beyond a fixed speed (typically 30–55 MPH); Sudden complete loss of forward motion or severe hesitation; High-pitched whining or grinding noise from transmission; Check engine light illumination; Jerking or shuddering during driving; Loss of power on hills or inclines
Codes mentioned: Transmission failure codes, Catalyst converter codes (misdiagnosed), Transmission sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: Full CVT transmission replacement required; owners report costs of $4,200–$6,000+. Some owners had transmissions replaced multiple times under warranty (three replacements reported on one vehicle before 109,000 miles). No repair possible—only full replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs referenced: NTB-13-079, NTB-12-057, TSB-NTB10-143A (relating to CVT fluid cooler/fail-safe); Nissan offered limited warranty coverage (10 years/120,000 miles); partial reimbursement in some cases ($2,403 on $4,200 repair); Nissan claimed transmission failures are rare and refused coverage on vehicles past warranty mileage despite systemic complaints
CVT transmission overheating and reduced power on hills
After extended highway driving or when climbing hills, the CVT transmission begins to whine and overheat. The vehicle's ability to maintain or gain speed on inclines deteriorates significantly. On steep freeway grades, the car may top out at 45–55 MPH and cannot accelerate further until the grade levels off. Fluid cooler failure or insufficient heat dissipation appears to be the root cause.
When: Typically after 1+ hour of highway driving or on sustained hill climbs; failures reported from 45,000 miles onward
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whine from transmission during acceleration; Significant reduction in power on hills or inclines; Top speed drops to 45–55 MPH on steep grades; Transmission feels like it is failing to shift properly; Overheating smell or visible transmission fluid leaks
Codes mentioned: Transmission codes (owner-reported; specific codes not always provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; some owners report replacing the entire CVT unit rather than servicing the cooler system
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs NTB-13-079 and NTB-12-057 address CVT fluid cooler/fail-safe issues; Nissan has not issued a recall; owners state warranty denied for overheating-related failures
Manual transmission—inability to shift, grinding, or loss of shift control
A 2007 6-speed manual transmission exhibits unpredictable inability to upshift or downshift. The transmission remains locked in whatever gear it was in and will not move out of that position. The failure is intermittent and not reproducible on dealer test drives, despite multiple warranty repair attempts including clutch master cylinder, pressure plate, and disc replacement. The failure creates a critical safety hazard.
When: Failure began November (year not specified in narrative) and reported January 2009; recurs unpredictably with no pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not upshift or downshift; Transmission remains locked in current gear; Transmission will not release from engaged position; Occurs on both highway and city streets; Intermittent and unpredictable; not reproducible during dealer diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch master cylinder replaced, pressure plate and disc replaced, transmission replaced—none resolved the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle serviced under warranty multiple times; Nissan dealership performed extensive repairs; no satisfaction achieved; owner filed ODI complaint
CVT transmission—inability to move after hard braking
When the driver performs emergency hard braking (wheels lock up, no ABS), the CVT transmission becomes stuck in a high gear and the vehicle loses all power to move forward after coming to a complete stop. The throttle becomes unresponsive for up to one minute. The only recovery is to restart the engine or shift to Park then Drive. This creates a hazardous traffic situation, especially at intersections.
When: Occurs at speeds over 45 MPH when hard braking is applied; affects vehicles without ABS
Symptoms owners cite: After emergency braking, throttle becomes completely unresponsive; Vehicle cannot move forward even with accelerator floored; Vehicle essentially dead-sticks in traffic after braking; Can be reproduced with near 100% accuracy; Only recovery is engine restart or P→D sequence
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; Nissan stated this is design behavior to protect transmission components
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claimed this is expected behavior and a design feature to protect transmission; not a defect; affects all CVT-equipped Altimas without ABS
CVT transmission—backwards roll on minor slopes in Drive
While parked on minor slopes (not steep) with the transmission in Drive, the vehicle rolls backwards several feet without driver input. This is reproducible and poses a hazard to people and objects behind the vehicle. The vehicle's transmission does not hold the vehicle stationary even in Drive gear.
When: Occurs on some minor slopes but not on steeper grades; mileage range unclear from complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backwards while in Drive; Rolls several feet before stopping; Consistently reproducible on some slopes; Poses hazard to nearby objects and persons
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged the issue but refused to repair it
Engine fire—fluid leak and ignition
While driving at 55 MPH under normal conditions, the vehicle jerked, the check engine light came on, and the driver pulled over. The front driver-side of the vehicle caught fire and was consumed within five minutes. The vehicle lost gas pressure before the fire, and liquid was visibly burning. The driver sustained bruises exiting the vehicle.
When: At 3,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking sensation while driving; Check engine light illumination; Fire ignited on front driver side; Visible burning liquid; Loss of gas pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicle destroyed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Heat shield rattle—cracked or misinstalled
A loud rattling noise emerges when starting the car, becoming louder and crisper when RPM is increased. Dealers initially replaced the heat shield, but the noise returned two weeks later. A second dealership found the heat shield was installed incorrectly. The dealership mentioned many complaints about this same noise.
When: Began 2 months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling noise on startup; Noise louder and crisper at higher RPM (1.5 RPM+); Noise disappears briefly after repair, then returns
Repairs/costs cited: Heat shield replacement required; second dealership reinstalled correctly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Second dealership confirmed many complaints about this issue
Transmission—cold-start clicking noise
When starting the car cold (without warm-up) and accelerating, clicking noises emerge from the transmission or belt area. The noise disappears when the car warms up after 8 minutes. The pattern is reproducible: cold start = noise, warm start = no noise. Dealers failed to diagnose the issue because they checked the transmission when it was warm.
When: Cold starts; noise disappears after 8 minutes of warm-up
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noises when accelerating from a cold start; Noise is reproducible and consistent; Noise stops once engine is warmed (after ~8 minutes); Possible issue with clutch motor or serpentine belt
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired due to dealer error in not testing when cold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner contacted dealer; dealer did not check when car was cold as advised
Transmission slipping—loss of traction and jerking
While driving at low speeds or stationary, the transmission slips, causing the vehicle to jerk. The vehicle exhibits loss of driving force and hesitation when engaging from a stop. Mechanics diagnose transmission failure and replacement as necessary.
When: Between 5–45 MPH; at low speeds and in stationary situations
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping; Vehicle jerking while stationary or at low speeds; Delay when putting car in gear; Vehicle shaking while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; dealers state no diagnostic testing possible on CVT
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers offered no assistance beyond replacement option
Engine stall—sudden loss of power
The engine stalls without warning while driving at speeds around 50 MPH. The failure recurs sporadically. Dealers diagnose transmission failure requiring replacement.
When: Approximately 50 MPH; failure at 118,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls unexpectedly; Occurs sporadically; Happens while driving at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; technician also noted incorrect oil dipstick was installed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB associated with failure (NHTSA item 10030088 for automatic transmission)
Transmission—unusual noise and hesitation with power loss
At 65 MPH, the transmission exhibits unusual noise accompanied by extreme hesitation during acceleration and a significant reduction in engine power. After turning off the engine for ten minutes, the vehicle resumes normal operation. The failure recurred eight times. Dealers were unable to detect a trouble code despite multiple visits.
When: Occurs during highway driving at 65 MPH; failure at 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unusual noise from transmission; Extreme hesitation during acceleration; Significant reduction in engine power; Temporary resolution after engine shutdown and restart
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; no trouble code detected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaint
Transmission—independent acceleration while parking
While parking, the vehicle independently accelerates without driver input. The failure recurs twice. Dealer advised bringing vehicle in for diagnostic testing but no diagnosis or repair was performed.
When: At 37,000 miles; occurred twice
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates independently while parking; Occurs without driver throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised diagnostic testing; no results provided
Vehicle rollback—insufficient hold in Drive gear
At low mileage (1,000–4,600 miles), the vehicle rolls backwards while in Drive position when parked, even at the ignition start. One incident involved a passenger trying to exit; the vehicle rolled backwards, bending the door and scratching the side. The passenger's daughter was injured when trying to get out of the way. Dealers were unable to determine the cause.
When: At 1,000–4,600 miles; occurred as early as 1,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backwards while in Drive; Occurs at very low mileage; Transmission does not hold vehicle stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealers unable to determine cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised shifting to Park before exiting vehicle
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I own a 2007 Nissan altima with only 79k. The transmission went out of warranty by 6 months. I did some research and it looks like thousands of people have reported issues with the CVT transmission. All these transmissions were going out below 85k. I reach out to Nissan for any assistance and they say "no we are sorry, after looking at your file you never complained previously to Nissan with…
The vehicle is just past the 120k mile power train warranty period and the transmission/CVT began hard-shifting/clunking at around 40mph. Took it to a certified mechanic who diagnosed it as a failing CVT and requires replacement. Called Nissan dealer and they said "yup, that happens." offered no guidance, their only solution is to replace the CVT for $6,000 (plus shop fees, taxes, etc.) I've…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 42 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 52,349 and 144,000 miles, with the median around 105,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,349; a quarter make it past 144,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.