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 talked to several Altima owners and they've had very similar experiences with cvts failing between 125K and 140K miles, just past the warranty period. The failure is big, and Nissan says the only option is complete replacement - no way to repair this issue.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

I bought this car brand new when it was released in late December 2006, almost 2 years later, I had informed my tech when I would bring my car in for scheduled oil changes that I hear a slight noise coming from under the car and sometimes a vibration, over these next few months and yeas I have been told it was either a bend in my rim, needing new tires, to having exhaust leaks or alignment needed. So I would take it to another shop and they would tell me different or if they confirmed I would get the service done at a licensed mechanic. Over time the noise grew louder and louder and dismissed each time I bought the car in for service. Until recently I figured out that the noise would only be heard and present after highway driving for 45min or more. So I reproduced the conditions before I took the car to the dealer for diagnostics then the advised me that there was sever rust taking place inside the transmission. The tech preceded to tell me that may have started when my car was in an accident 3 years ago in 2008. I contacted the bodyshop that did the repairs the provided paperwork proving that my transmission was never effected or touched as part of the accident. The transmission is still under warranty, and I even have paperwork from the same Nissan dealership that shows that Nissan did a multipoint inspection where they inspected the transmission and its fluid just 8 months prior and found it to be in good condition N no presence of rust or fluid issues. Nissan is refusing to own up to the malfunctioning of there cvt transmission and cost for replacement.

- Montclair, NJ, USA

I owned a 2007 Altima at the time. The problem occurs at speeds over 45 mph. If emergency brakes are slammed and lockup until vehicle comes to complete stop the throttle becomes totally unresponsive for up to 1 minute. This happened to me at an intersection and scared the'!@#$% out of me. Similar thing occurred a few days later. I decided to test if this issue can be duplicated. It can with almost 100% accuracy. Took car to dealership. Duplicated the issue for their confirmation and left car for examination. According to service rep "it is to dangerous to drive car in this condition\". a few hours later got a call from dealer with the following explanation. They tested this issue and were able to repeat it on 3 identical cars. Apparently manufacturer told them that this is an expected behavior to protect certain components of a car transmission. I have been in contact with Nissan usa and was told that this is not a defect but a design to protect transmission. I have taken several other Altima for test drive and spoke to a number of people. Apparently this issue affects all Altima equipped with cvt but not with ABS. I believe that ABS allows transmission to rotate thus correcting the issue. As far as I am concerned not been able to move a car for up to a minute after an emergency braking could be more dangerous then the emergency itself. Can you visualize your self being stuck at an intersection (happened to me) or on a highway? this issue can be easily duplicated. I have traded my car in as I was too scared to drive it.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

Follow up to complaint number 10198578. The entire cvt transmission was eventually replaced while the car had only 4500 miles on it. At around 60,000 miles the check engine light came on (8/31/09) so I took it to do the dealership and they received transmission codes. Nissan headquarters got involved and determined another transmission was needed. This will be my third transmission on a car that is a little over 2 years old and has only 60,000 miles on it. Nissan has said that the cvt transmissions have had few problems, and instead of repairing them, they are just getting replaced. No further explanation was given. I think it's ridiculous.

- Glassboro, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The vehicle rolled backwards as the passenger was exiting. The door bent backwards and scratched the entire side of the vehicle. The contact jumped into the moving vehicle to depress the brake pedal. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage was 4,600 and failure mileage was 2,500. The consumers daughter injured her arm, when she tried to get out of the way of the rolling vehicle. Updated 12/12/07

- Homestead, FL, USA

After heating up (an hour or so of driving), the check engine light comes on and the transmission begins to fail. Push the gas pedal all the way down, and the RPM's go way up, but car barely accelerates. First attempt at dealership, they could not find the problem. A day later, the problem happened again. The second attempt, they replaced the transmission control module. A day later, it happened again. Currently at the dealership for the third time. Car only has 4,500 miles on it. Beginning to get pretty frustrating.

- New Castle, DE, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. While driving 55 mph, under normal driving conditions the vehicle began to jerk. The check engine light came on and contact pulled over, placed the vehicle in park, and the emergency lights illuminated. The front end of the vehicle quickly caught fire on the front drivers side and consumed the vehicle along with it's contents in less than five minutes. The contact stated that the vehicle did not loose power while it was on fire, but before the vehicle stopped it did loose its gas pressure. While the vehicle was on fire the contact could see liquid burning from the vehicle. The contact did not smell gas before the fire. The driver received bruises exciting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the mechanic. The current and failure mileages were 3,500. The contact has pictures available. Updated 02-01-08 the consumer stated the vehicle was on fire when he stopped. Updated 02/01/08

- Bloomington, CA, USA

On some minor slopes, but not all, the cvt transmission-equipped 2007 Altima will roll backwards several feet while in "drive" posing a hazard to objects and persons behind the vehicle. This is consistently reproducible in our home driveway but not on steeper slopes such as a parking garage. The surprising condition caused my wife to panic and almost lose control, nearly striking another vehicle. The dealership has been very responsive. However, as of this posting, Nissan North America acknowledges but refuses to fix the issue.

- Hayward, CA, USA

1.)when the car warm ups after 15-20 minutes, the slip and traction control off light come on. 2.) the speedometer fails, the wipers sometimes fail (in the rain!), and now the headlight go on off by themselves (at night!!!) 3.) the car was taken to a dealer. They adjusted a lose wire 1st, second they replaced an ABS actuator, the 3rd time at the dealer they ordered a transmission computer gizmo (is on order and not replaced).

- Lawrence, NY, USA