At the shop, Nissan transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 10,964 documented complaints across 202 year-model entries from 2005 to 2026 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 36 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Across the 7,775 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 80,489 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin NISSAN / POWERTRAIN
202 model-year entries · 2005–2026
Nissan powertrain problems
10,964 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Nissan vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
10,964
Recalls
0
Year-models
202
Avg fix
$2,500
161crashes
36fires
103injuries
Worst-affected Nissan model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2005 Nissan Maxima
738 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Nissan Altima
490 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Nissan Titan
434 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Nissan Maxima
372 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Nissan Pathfinder
369 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
360 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Nissan Rogue
312 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Nissan Sentra
305 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Nissan Pathfinder
285 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Nissan Xterra
271 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Nissan Altima
229 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2007 Nissan Pathfinder
220 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Nissan Pathfinder
203 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2014 Nissan Altima
195 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2011 Nissan Rogue
189 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Nissan Titan
180 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Nissan Sentra
179 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Nissan Xterra
174 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2007 Nissan Xterra
172 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Nissan Rogue
170 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Nissan Sentra
168 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Nissan Altima
157 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Nissan Versa
153 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2008 Nissan Rogue
145 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2012 Nissan Altima
144 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
Common questions
How many Nissan powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
10,964 complaints across 202 model-year entries from 2005 to 2026. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Nissan.
Which Nissan model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2005 Nissan Maxima leads with 738 complaints in this category. Next: 2013 Altima (490) and 2005 Titan (434).
What does it cost to fix Nissan powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Nissan lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Nissan powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Nissan vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Nissan.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.