Having issues with the CVT transmission in my 2014 altima, the symptoms are while sitting at a stop and engine idling at a normal RPM in drive the car will at random begin to lurch forward rpms will fluctuate and at times engine will die. After the engine dies at times restart is difficult and may take two of three attempts before the car (engine/transmission) will function properly. I have…
2014 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
moderate 195 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
195
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 195 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 195 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.
Among the 17 model years of Nissan Altima in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Altima CVT has a well-documented failure pattern at 40,000–80,000 miles with serious safety implications—stalling in traffic, sudden power loss on highways, and unresponsive acceleration. Nissan's warranty cuts off at 60,000 miles and the manufacturer denies coverage post-warranty despite acknowledging the problem is widespread; transmission replacement costs $3,500–$4,400 out of pocket.
Owners of the 2014 Nissan Altima describe a pattern of catastrophic CVT transmission failures beginning as early as 25,000 miles and most commonly between 40,000 and 80,000 miles—conveniently just after the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty expires. The complaints cluster around two core scenarios: complete transmission failure where the vehicle will not shift into gear or stalls repeatedly at traffic lights, and severe drivability issues including sudden power loss, uncontrolled engine revving, violent shuddering, and hesitation from stops.
Multiple owners report being stranded in active traffic with no warning—intersection stalls, highway speed loss from 75 mph to 35 mph, and limp-mode activation that leaves the vehicle crawling through busy intersections while oncoming traffic approaches. Dealers consistently report finding no diagnostic fault codes, yet many tell owners this is a "known issue" or "common problem with CVTs," then claim they cannot help because the vehicle is out of warranty. Nissan issued a CVT reprogramming recall, but owners report symptoms worsening or beginning immediately after this service. Transmission replacements cost $3,500–$4,400; some remanufactured units failed again within one week. One owner documented that a second replacement also degraded rapidly, mirroring the same symptoms as the first failure.
Same Nissan Altima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure — Complete Loss of Drive
Transmission becomes unresponsive or loses drive engagement without warning, leaving the vehicle unable to move forward or reverse. Owners report the car stalling at traffic lights, intersections, and highways, sometimes requiring multiple restart attempts before engagement. Several owners paid $3,500–$4,400 for replacement units.
When: Most common between 40,000–80,000 miles; warranty ends at 60,000 miles on powertrain
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift into drive or reverse, even after multiple attempts; Engine stalls as soon as gear is engaged; Complete loss of power and mobility, car stranded until towed; No check engine light or diagnostic codes retrieved by dealers
Codes mentioned: P17F0 (CVT imminent failure code), P0776 (transmission pressure solenoid fault)
Repairs/costs cited: Full CVT transmission replacement; cost $3,500–$4,400 per owner reports. Some owners received factory remanufactured units that failed again within one week.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued CVT reprogramming recall (noted in complaints but does not address underlying hardware failure). Nissan extended CVT warranty to 7 years/84,000 miles for some vehicles but denies coverage once mileage exceeds limit or warranty period expires, citing 'computer cannot replicate concern.'
CVT Transmission Shuddering and Jerking — Low Speed
Vehicle shudders, jerks, or violently shakes between 10–35 mph during acceleration from stops or at traffic lights. This occurs spontaneously with no clear trigger. Owners report the vehicle feels as though the drivetrain will fall out or transmission is confused about gear selection.
When: Occurs randomly during low-speed driving, especially at traffic lights and intersections; some complaints from vehicles with under 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and jerking at low speeds (10–35 mph); Transmission appears to 'lock up' during slight turns or acceleration; Stuttering between gears; Hesitation lasting 3–5 seconds when attempting to accelerate from stop
Repairs/costs cited: Some dealers replaced valve body; others could not replicate issue during service. Nissan service bulletins acknowledge issue but claim it is 'normal CVT shifting characteristic.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claims jerking/hesitation is a 'normal characteristic' of 2014 CVT design, per service bulletins. No official remedy offered.
Sudden Loss of Power and Engine Revving
While driving, engine RPMs spike unexpectedly (often 4,000–6,000+ RPM) with no throttle input, or the throttle becomes unresponsive despite accelerator pedal being fully depressed. Transmission slips into neutral-like state. On highways, this loss of power creates immediate collision danger.
When: Can occur at any speed; highway incidents at 50–75 mph reported most dangerous
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs spike suddenly without driver input; Accelerator pedal has no effect; vehicle feels in 'neutral'; Rapid loss of vehicle speed on highway (75 mph → 35 mph in seconds); Engine revving without vehicle moving forward; No brake lights illuminate when speed drops, confusing following traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose; no fault codes retrieved. One owner cited 'valve body failure' requiring transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins address this specific failure mode. Dealers report 'nothing found' and tell owners to return if problem recurs.
Limp Mode Activation with VDC Light
Vehicle unexpectedly enters 'limp mode,' cutting engine power and limiting acceleration to a crawl. VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) warning light illuminates. Car becomes unsafe in traffic, unable to clear intersections or merge.
When: Reported from nearly new vehicles through mid-life; unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs drop suddenly; vehicle acts sluggish; Pressing accelerator to floor produces minimal response; VDC light illuminates on dash; Vehicle crawls through intersection at critical moments; Cycling engine off-on may temporarily resolve until next occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealers report no fault codes found despite clear symptoms. Vehicle may return to normal operation after restart.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB issued for this symptom. Dealers advise monitoring and reporting only if problem recurs.
Delayed/No Acceleration from Stop — Hesitation Issue
When starting from a stop (traffic light, stop sign, parking lot), vehicle hesitates or fails to accelerate despite pedal input. Car barely moves (0–2 mph) for several seconds, creating intersection collision risk. Issue often spontaneous and intermittent.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; some reports from low mileage (under 10,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: 30-second delay before vehicle moves from complete stop; Accelerator depressed fully but car idles forward only; Car must be cycled between Park-Drive multiple times to achieve movement; Happens at random intervals with no warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers tell owners to 'continue driving until problem gets worse' or claim 'nothing is wrong.' No repair documented as successful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan admits this is a 'common problem with many CVTs' (per one dealer admission) but issues no recall. Requires TSB reprogramming, which does not always resolve issue.
Torque Converter Failure and Transmission Internal Damage
Torque converter fragments into transmission fluid, causing catastrophic internal transmission damage. Vehicle stalls during gear shifts, produces grinding/shuddering noise, and loses power during acceleration.
When: Reported at 74,000 miles and as early as 25,000 miles (after first transmission replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding and shuddering noise during shifts; Vehicle stalls while shifting or accelerating; Tugging sensation under acceleration; Vehicle cannot sustain speed on hills; RPMs race but speed does not match
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; cost $3,500–$3,800. Owners report dealers took a week or more to diagnose and did not initially identify root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined to issue recall despite acknowledging this is a 'common problem' with 2013–2014 Altimas, per dealership notes. One owner reported Nissan Corporate stated they 'do not conduct recalls.'
Transmission Stalling at Traffic Lights and Intersections
Vehicle stalls repeatedly when placed in gear at stops, creating severe safety hazard. Owner must perform multiple restart cycles (Park-to-Drive toggles) before car will move, with stalling recurring unpredictably over days or months.
When: Occurs at traffic lights, intersections, and stop signs; can happen multiple times per trip
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse; Multiple restart attempts required (3–5+ cycles); Stalling at each gear engagement; Event may resolve temporarily after sitting parked for hours or days, then recur
Repairs/costs cited: Some dealers replaced internal transmission components (valve body, solenoid, shift interlock); others recommended full transmission replacement but could not replicate issue in service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued extended CVT warranty (7 years/84,000 miles) for some vehicles, but coverage denied once mileage exceeded or warranty period expired.
High RPM Revving and Erratic Transmission Behavior
Transmission revs engine to 4,000–6,000+ RPM at speeds where 1,500–2,000 RPM is normal (under 30 mph). RPM oscillates without driver input, causing jerky/uncomfortable ride. Issue persists after repair attempts.
When: Throughout ownership; noted in complaints even after transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM climbs to 4,000–5,000+ when cruising under 25 mph; RPM fluctuates between 1,000–1,500 at low speeds; Transmission appears 'confused' about correct gear; Harsh downshifting and upshifting; car shakes during transitions
Repairs/costs cited: Occurs even after CVT transmission replacement. One owner reported dealer replaced loose belt; issue persisted. No consistent repair identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service representatives stated this is a 'normal characteristic' of 2014 CVT per service bulletins. No remedy offered.
Transmission Not Engaging from Park — Shift Interlock Failure
Vehicle will not shift from Park into Drive or Reverse on first attempt; requires multiple cycles or sits for extended time before engagement is possible. Shift lever movement may produce no response.
When: Reported at 48,000 miles and higher; intermittent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever moved to Drive/Reverse but car does not respond; Requires 2–3 shift cycles (Park-Drive-Park) to achieve engagement; Delay of 45 seconds to 1+ minute before car moves; Gear console noted as loose in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced shift interlock solenoid; issue returned. Service records indicate 'could not replicate concern' in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No systematic recall or TSB for shift interlock failure identified in narratives.
Post-Recall Transmission Degradation
After CVT reprogramming recall is performed, vehicle exhibits new or worsening transmission symptoms including shuddering, loss of power, hesitation, and reduced drivability. Owners suspect recall update caused or worsened hardware defect.
When: Symptoms begin within days to weeks of CVT reprogramming TSB; one case noted immediately after oil change where recall was completed at same service
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering and loss of power after recall update; Hesitation and jerking after reprogramming; Vehicle that ran smoothly before recall now exhibits limp mode and speed drops; RPM fluttering and transmission slipping after update
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers deny recall caused problem; attribute to unrelated transmission failure. One owner paid $4,200 for new transmission post-recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued CVT reprogramming recall (TSB) to address 'known issues' but disclaims responsibility when symptoms persist or worsen post-update. Dealers claim recall is precautionary and does not cause failure.
Synthesized from 195 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Have had jerking and shuddering problems while trying to excel, several months after purchasing my car in 2016. At that time it had approx.24,000 miles on it, the dealership took care of the transmission issue. I just recently took it back again with the same issue the car had no power when trying to excel onto the highway ,and was very hesitant and unsafe. The transmission had to be…
After driving car for 173000 miles with no trouble transmission failed to shift it,s like completefailurewith absolutely no movement now
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 195 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 153 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 58,888 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,888; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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/2014/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.