With a little under 68,000 miles on my 2018 Nissan Altima the transmission started shuttering and slipping. No lights came on the dash but the car was difficult to control. After going to get some dry gas and see if it was motor related the car made a loud squealing noise, the check engine light came on and then the car shuttered the rest of the way home . The car goes in to the Nissan dealership …
2018 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The car doesn't move and the car shakes above 55 miles and I can smell smoke under the hood.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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