2015 Nissan Altima Transmission Problems: Frequency, Costs, and How to Avoid

Published September 29, 2020
in Reliability

Nissan Altima by EurovisionNim - CC BY

The 2015 Nissan Altima is a solid family car: it’s roomy, has good fuel economy, and is safe. However, like any other car, it has issues – primarily with its transmission. Here’s what you need to know:

FAQ: 2015 Nissan Altima Transmission Problems

Is the transmission reliable? Unfortunately, no. CVT transmissions are not tough, and the CVT in the 2015 Altima is no exception. Multiple recalls have been issued for the 2015 model, including the transmission.
What problems am I most likely to encounter with a 2015 Nissan Altima? Major transmission problems. Problems with the engine/brakes/suspension are much less common.
How much do these problems cost to fix? The transmission itself will cost $3000-$4500 to repair. If you have transmission problems while the car is under warranty, that’s OK, but keep in mind Nissan dealers are not very cooperative on this issue once the warranty expires.
Should you buy a 2015 Nissan Altima? In all honesty, no. The lack of transmission reliability is a serious issue that shouldn’t be overlooked. Unless you buy the car under warranty, you’ll pay out of pocket for those expensive repairs.

Transmission Issues Are The Biggest Problem With 2015 Altimas (By Far)

The single biggest issue with the 2015 Nissan Altima is the transmission. It’s a CVT, which means forward motion is generated through a system of belts and pulleys instead of gears. However, the belt and pulley systems wear much faster than conventional transmissions and can’t handle the power. This means the belts slip when driving and don’t deliver the power to the wheels, which is extremely dangerous. According to a writeup of the 2013-2015 Altima transmission problems by Cars.com,

“Affected Nissan Altima vehicles may exhibit a whining or grinding noise while driving at highway speeds; the noise level may increase with vehicle speed. This condition may be due to a faulty bearing inside the constantly variable transmission, or a faulty CVT itself”.

In simple terms, the CVT transmission isn’t made to handle the higher loads, temperatures, and wear associated with highway driving. It’s essentially a ticking time bomb

ARE YOU ABOUT TO BUY A RECALLED VEHICLE?

Factory recalls are issued when a vehicle fails to meet safety or quality standards. If you’re shopping for a used car, see if any factory recalls have been issued before buying.

How To Avoid Buying A Nissan Altima With Transmission Issues

Not only are transmission issues frustrating and expensive, but they’re also a safety hazard. According to one 2015 Altima owner,

“The transmission would stall from taking off from a stop. It didn’t send any warning lights. The dealer stated they could not repair it because it didn’t send any warnings. I needed to drive it until it failed. Awful idea if the car were to stall in an intersection. I was the only one to drive the car, it was maintained according to service records. The transmission failure is understood to be a common problem with this car. What a waste of time and money.”

This issue suggests two significant problems here. The CVT does not apply the power to the wheels, which is extremely dangerous, especially on busy roads. Two, not only did Nissan fail to make a safe transmission, their dealers were unwilling to deal with the problems they caused.

There are multiple complaints from owners about their cars’ transmissions and the dealers being uncooperative, like this owner:

“So I called my local Nissan Dealer and scheduled a service department check. The Nissan shop looked at my car and told me I would need a complete new CVT Transmission install at a cost of $4,654.83. The dealer told me to call 1-800-NISSAN-1 and check to see if I could get help covering the costs of my transmission repairs from Nissan USA. they all but laughed at me on the phone. My car currently has 123,972 miles on it. It only had 120,000 on it when I bought the car in February of 2019. I feel like the transmission should last longer than 123,972 miles.”

No matter what make and model of the car you own, the dealer should be willing to fix it for you, and the transmission should last longer than 124,000 miles.

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

Wondering what to look out for when buying a used car? With such a large purchase, it pays to be a cautious shopper. Check out this list of red flags to look out for when buying a used car.

Cost to Fix a 2015 Nissan Altima Transmission: $3,000 - $5,000

If you need to replace the transmission, it will cost between $3000-$5000, which is more than the car is worth as used. Here’s what one owner was quoted for a transmission replacement in his Altima after he took it to the dealer to diagnose a trans issue:

“Took it to the dealer and asked them to diagnose the issue and they charged me $185 for diagnosis.

Dealer did a transmission software flash and sent me back. But the same issue was happening even after the flash. Took it back again on the same day.

Dealer mentioned that the valve body and transmission needs to be replaced. Got an invoice of $4400”.

If you are considering buying a 2015 Altima, get a full inspection, especially on the transmission, before you buy it.

A Service Bulletin Covers the 2015 Nissan Altima Transmission

The 2015 Altima transmission has been a big enough issue that it’s under recall by Nissan. Nissan has issued a bulletin for only 2013-2015 Altimas based on the transmission issues. They won’t always replace it, but they will inspect it and replace parts or the whole unit if necessary. Unfortunately, the 2015 Nissan Altima is unreliable enough based on the transmission alone that we can’t recommend you buy one. If you purchase a 2015 Altima, have the dealer check for any problems or active recalls.

Common Symptoms of Transmission Issues

Transmission woes are some of the most common mechanical issues you may encounter as an Altima owner. Here are some of the most common symptoms to look out for:

Won’t shift gears: If your Nissan Altima suddenly refuses or struggles to shift gears, you likely have transmission issues. This is a relatively common symptom and may mean you’re low on fluids or have a downright broken transmission system.
Burning smell: Call your mechanic immediately if you experience a strong burning smell while driving. This could indicate an overheating transmission or old fluids.
Slipping gears: When your gear shift suddenly slips to another gear while driving, it indicates a transmission problem. Not only is this jarring for the driver, but it’s also potentially dangerous.
Transmission fluid leaks: If you notice a red, sweet-smelling fluid under your vehicle, you should bring in your car to check for potential leaks and low fluid levels.
Shaking or grinding: Another classic symptom of transmission issues is the unsettling shakes and vibrations while changing gears.
Unusual sounds: Clunking, humming, and whining are sounds you never want to hear while driving. Again, this may indicate an issue with your Altima’s transmission system.

THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN PRICE AND RELIABILITY

When it comes to buying a used car, you want to find the perfect intersection of savings and reliability. See how much you can save buying nearly new vs. new with CoPilot Compare. With cars 5 years or younger, low mileage, and CPO coverage, you can get a nearly-new car at a great price.

Unfortunately, this issue is serious enough that you should think twice about purchasing this car. In conclusion, the 2015 Nissan Altima is too likely to need expensive repairs for us to recommend purchasing a used one. If you’re looking for an Altima or something similar, the CoPilot app searches all the dealerships in your area at once and automatically notifies you when great deals become available.