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 ↗2009 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
severe 81 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
81
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 81 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.
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 ↗IF 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 * Occurs only on first attempts to start before engine begins running. And * Will not occur after engine has been started and run for any period of time. ACTIONS: * Confirm this bulletin applies and if so reprogram the ECM. See this bulleitn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Nissan Altima's CVT transmission exhibits multiple serious failure modes that owners describe as safety hazards, particularly on long highway trips. Most common is sudden power loss: after 45 minutes to 2 hours of sustained interstate speeds (65-80 mph), the transmission enters a restricted mode, capping vehicle speed at 20-40 mph regardless of throttle input. The transmission becomes stuck in high gear and won't downshift, even with manual override attempts. Owners report whining noises and must pull over for 15-30 minutes for normal operation to return—a temporary fix.
In stop-and-go traffic, the CVT exhibits slipping, jerking, and surging; the engine revs without proportional acceleration, making highway merges dangerous. Some owners also describe transmission overheating (despite no engine overheat warning), with Nissan mechanics confirming the transmission lacks a factory cooler.
Complete transmission failure—where the vehicle stalls or loses all power—occurs without predictable pattern, sometimes at low mileage (36,000 miles) and sometimes at high mileage (200,000+ miles). Metal debris in the oil pan signals internal destruction. Dealers cannot recreate faults during diagnostic visits, cannot find diagnostic codes, and charge $275-$390 for fluid service that doesn't resolve the problem.
Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 120,000 miles but refuses coverage beyond that and denies claims for vehicles even slightly out of mileage range. Replacement transmissions fail again within 1-3 years. Multiple owners report being stranded in dangerous situations—merging traffic, interstate shoulders, unsafe neighborhoods—with no resolution from Nissan or dealerships.
Same Nissan Altima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
CVT power loss and limp mode on highway
Transmission enters a reduced-power state during sustained highway driving, typically after 45 minutes to 2 hours at speeds above 65 mph. Vehicle speed drops suddenly to 20-40 mph regardless of throttle input. Owners report the transmission gets stuck in high gear and won't downshift, even with manual override attempts. Restarting the vehicle or pulling over for 15-30 minutes restores normal operation temporarily.
When: 45 minutes to 2+ hours of highway driving at 65-80 mph; on inclines; in hot weather
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power and deceleration while on interstate; Transmission stuck in high gear, won't downshift; Engine RPM rises but vehicle speed drops; Whining noise from transmission; Manual downshift attempts fail; Vehicle enters 'limp mode' capped at 40 mph; Recovery after pulling over and restarting or waiting 15-30 minutes
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (not always present)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid service ($275-$390 charged by dealers) does not resolve the issue. Dealers unable to recreate the fault or find codes. Some owners report metal belt pieces found in CVT oil pan after failure ($4,600 replacement cost, sometimes 50% covered by Nissan). Transmission replacement is the stated fix, but replacements fail again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended transmission warranty from 60,000 miles to 120,000 miles. Service bulletin issued for transmission fluid changes. Dealers cite TSB-10052883-6508 but claim it does not cover the transmission itself. Nissan refused warranty coverage beyond mileage limits; some partial coverage ($2,300 of $4,600) offered in isolated cases.
CVT slipping and jerking during acceleration
Transmission exhibits slippage, surging, and jerking when accelerating from a stop or during stop-and-go traffic. Engine revs without corresponding vehicle acceleration. Vehicle hesitates and shudders when driver applies throttle. On highway merges, vehicle cannot accelerate smoothly from 0-60 mph.
When: Stop-and-go traffic; highway on-ramps and merges; from cold start or after the vehicle has been running
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revving without proportional acceleration; Jerking and shuddering during acceleration; Hesitation when pressing accelerator; Grinding noises; Vehicle surges and vibrates in low-speed transitions; Inadequate acceleration for safe highway merging
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid service recommended but does not resolve underlying slippage. One owner reported transmission fluid was 'wrong color' after using Valvoline CVT oil at an independent shop; dealer blamed the aftermarket fluid and denied warranty coverage. Transmission replacement eventually required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty to 120,000 miles. No recall issued. Dealers state slippage is characteristic of CVT function, though factory-trained technician acknowledged Nissan tightened transmission specs in 2013 model year to address slipping.
CVT complete failure and stalling
Transmission fails completely, often without warning. Vehicle loses all forward motion while driving or at a stoplight. Engine continues running but transmission will not engage. One case involved loud noise followed by immediate stall and inability to move.
When: Can occur at any mileage; some cases at low mileage (36,000-62,000 miles), others at higher mileage (120,000-257,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of ability to move forward; Loud grinding or whining noise preceding failure; Engine still running but no drivetrain engagement; Vehicle stalls at traffic light when attempting to accelerate; Transmission will not respond to throttle input
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (sometimes)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete CVT replacement ($4,000-$4,600). Metal belt pieces found in oil pan in at least one case. Used transmissions installed in some cases. Replacement transmissions fail again within 1-3 years. One owner on third transmission replacement with only 1-year/12,000-mile warranty per replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 50% cost coverage offered in one case ($2,300 of $4,600). Extended warranty to 120,000 miles does not help owners beyond that mileage. One customer reported Nissan refused any coverage despite knowing about the issue. TSB exists but does not mandate recalls or repairs.
Transmission overheating and thermal limp mode
CVT overheats during extended highway driving, triggering a thermal protection mode that severely restricts power. Owner states Nissan mechanics confirmed the CVT lacks a transmission cooler. Vehicle enters neutral-like state, requiring 20-30 minutes of cooling before drivable again. Occurs regardless of ambient temperature if transmission is worked hard.
When: After 45+ minutes of highway driving; on hot days; during sustained high-RPM operation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters neutral mode after extended highway driving; Power cuts dramatically, speed drops to 20-40 mph; Requires 20-30 minutes of cooling before vehicle will move normally; Occurs even on cooler days if transmission is worked hard
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission cooler retrofit attempted by one owner but did not resolve the issue. Complete transmission replacement stated as only fix by Nissan mechanics. Service bulletin issued to retrofit transmission cooler, but dealership refused to honor it.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued for transmission cooler installation, but dealerships not enforcing it. Nissan acknowledges vehicle was built without a transmission cooler. Extended warranty to 120,000 miles.
Transmission won't downshift on hills
Vehicle stuck in overdrive (6th gear) on inclines. Engine cannot produce sufficient power to climb grade. RPM maxes out around 2,000-2,500 rpm while speed drops to 40 mph. Manual downshift attempts have no effect. Only recovery is to pull over, turn off engine, and restart.
When: After 1.5+ hours of highway driving; when climbing hills or steep grades
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle remains in overdrive (6th gear) going uphill; Speed drops from 65 mph to 40 mph on incline; Engine RPM stuck below 2,500 rpm despite throttle input; Manual downshift attempts fail; Pulling over and restarting clears the condition temporarily
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to find solution. Owners suspect transmission computer needs reboot.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan looked at the vehicle multiple times but could not provide a solution. No recall issued.
Transmission shifter jamming in Park
Transmission shifter becomes jammed and cannot be shifted out of Park. One case resulted in a rear-end collision when driver was unable to move the vehicle after traffic stopped.
When: While parked; during traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter physically jammed in Park; Unable to shift to Drive or Reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; no recall mentioned.
Transmission fluid leak
Transmission seal failure causes oil to leak out and saturate spark plugs. Vehicle experiences stalling and rough running.
When: At approximately 176,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil smell from engine bay; Oil leaking into spark plug wells; Vehicle stalls intermittently at traffic lights; Rough engine running
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic cost quoted but owner declined; repair not completed in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case number provided, but vehicle not repaired in narrative.
Engine over-revving and long braking distance
Engine continues to rev without accelerator pedal input, particularly while braking. Braking distance significantly longer than normal. Engine speed climbs to 6,000 rpm even in Park if accelerator not being pressed. Only resolved by turning off and restarting engine.
When: Two incidents on same day; vehicle had been started and stopped 5 times and driven 40 miles between incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs without driver depressing accelerator pedal; Significantly longer braking distance than normal; Engine speed climbs to 6,000 rpm when transmission in Park; Condition does not resolve by shifting to Neutral or Park; requires engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified in narrative.
Synthesized from 81 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 81 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 60 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 75,000 and 149,000 miles, with the median around 124,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 149,000. 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/2009/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.