CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2015 Nissan Altima shows multiple problem trends, continuing the poor reputation of the 2013 & 2014 Altima, prompting us to give it our "Beware of the Clunker" badge.

Owners are complaining about transmission problems related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

5.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
26,050 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. recall: reprogrammed transmission (1 reports)
2015 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2015 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #6

Feb 152016

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 46,603 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have bought this car as "used" 1 year old, and 5k from factory warranty expiration. I have, like many others have the awful vibration at 2k rpm. Its is not subtle! only at 2k rpm too, no matter the speed except at idle. Since it only happens at 2k rpm, I am going to say its a balance problem internally in the transmission. When I went to the dealer, in just a few words, told me it was common and "normal". I find it VERY hard to believe that a transmission that brags about seamless drive experience would call THAT normal. I have NEVER had this happen to me with a regular transmission.

NISSAN, you need to smarten up and get a fix for this. I chose NISSAN this time for a car, my first IMPORT EVER!!!! After 20+ yrs of driving domestics. Its a brilliant car, except for this main issue. From what I have read.... its common, I feel ashamed every time when I hit that 2k mark, and-new-to-the-car passengers ask, "What the hell was that!?" And the look I get when I tell them, NISSAN says its "normal".

I have been to, the Cambridge Nissan, Kitchener Nissan, even Waterloo Nissan, all have said its "normal".

- Gordon S., Cambridge, ON, Canada

problem #5

Nov 182016

Altima S 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 41,000 miles

Not satisfied with John Sinclair Nissan Cape Girardeau Mo I Asked Service manager about the problem. He wanted to charge over $200. And replace the transmission fluid but admitted he had no idea what the problem was or if that would fix the problem. I'm sure with the number of complaints I've found researching it is the junk CVT transmission problem. If anyone knows a reputable dealer that can fix the problem please post it. It should still be under warranty. If I Nissan can't fix the problem I won't own it much longer and will never buy another Nissan.

- Charles P., Sikeston, MO, US

problem #4

Apr 072015

Altima S 2.5L 4-cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 11,000 miles

Yet another complaint, in my long list of complaints about the 2015 Nissan Altima.

When the transmission works it's great, it saves gas, and it's pretty smooth, but when it doesn't it rumbles and stutters and sometimes it feels like you're not getting any acceleration. I have a feeling this transmission will get worse at 25k, I'm at 17k now. and completely fail between 50k - 100k. By then we will have gotten rid of it and moved away from Nissan altogether.

If you wonder why you see so many of these in used car lots with low mileage and why the resale value took a $5,000 plunge as soon as you drove it off the lot while new, well now you know.

I guess if more people keep complaining about this issue, Nissan will have to address it eventually. Instead of hiding behind their 'stealer'ship service departments!

Update from May 28, 2017: So Nissan finally issued a recall on these transmissions... Took mine in to get reprogrammed and now it is worse than it was before... When going downhills now it's a harsh shift and it really stutters and clunks... When pulling off it still stutters and clunks...

I'll be taking it back next week to tell them that the transmission is worse now than it was before; hopefully getting a new one replaced under warranty.

- Jason H., Kennesaw, GA, US

problem #3

Feb 012016

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 14,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Took the car to the Nissan Dealer where I bought it from. Ken Garff Nissan. They reprogrammed the transmission and it helped 50% for a couple of days. I took the car back in and they said that was as good as it was going to get. They said 2015 Altimas just make that vibration because of its design. I have owned 2 Altimas before this one and their CVT transmissions never gave me a problem. This is my last Nissan if they won't fix it under warranty.

- Vern W., Hooper, UT, US

problem #2

Jan 022016

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 42,200 miles

I just purchased a used Nissan Altima S (42,200 miles) and noticed that between the speeds of 40 mph and 60 mph, there is a definite vibration located (I believe) in the transmission area or at least the front portion of the vehicle. The vibration is only upon acceleration and once I reach 60 mph it ceases. The dealer told me that it was a "characteristic" of the Nissan Altima. It is hard for me to believe that all Nissan's do this. Since I still have warranty left on the transmission, if it is a problem with the transmission, I want it fixed before the warranty expires.

- Dorinda T., Jackson, TN, US

problem #1

Oct 102014

Altima 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 1,000 miles

My Nissan 2015 Altima w/ CVT Transmission VIBRATES - steering wheel, floorboards, seat, etc. - and RUMBLES at speeds of 20-65 mph.

Told by dealer reps after 5 test drives that it was a design problem and could not be fixed.

After talking to other owners of same model I found only one had the same complaint.

No help from Nissan America or dealer. I believe mine is defective.

I would not recommend this car to anyone EVER!

Noise is irritating , annoying!

- Bob G., Smyrna, DE, US

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