Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the ABS and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle started to stall. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. An independent mechanic towed the vehicle to the contact's residence. The independent mechanic then diagnosed that the transmission fluid and engine coolant were leaking over the engine compartment. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V267000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the brakes seized. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The Transmission failed at 51,000 miles. It has not come to a grinding halt yet but poses a safety hazard on any long trips. It was only a strange noise that varied with the acceleration that tipped us off that there might be a problem. The car is 14 years old now but my wife put very few miles on it and it still should be working. Regularly maintained by my local Nissan dealer for the lifespan of the car. Having now seen many other notices on Nissan transmissions for this and other model years you think Nissan would have recalled the cars and addressed the problem. I am very disappointed with Nissan and will buy another brand for my wife's next car.
The Altima has 170k miles. We'll taken care off . I was driving to work and out off nowhere the car lost power the speedometer stopped working and wouldn't show me how fast I was going and I had to stopped and it lost all power. I tried looking everywhere for the problem to fix it and they told me they couldn't get the part and told to come here and hopefully this helps, at the moment I dint have enough money to buy a car. The car has not been inspected but but the cops Or insurance. There were no warning prior to this accident it happened outta no where .
I drove my car to work that morning and it was running completely fine. When I went to lunch that same day after 5 mins of driving the car my CVT transmission slipped out of nowhere and lost all power completely while I was on a busy road with lots of traffic almost causing multiple accidents because it happened out of no where and I was unable to get my car off of the road due to having no power. The car gave me no warning signs that anything was wrong until it wouldnt move anymore.
I was driving to work on the freeway about 65 mph and after about 20 minutes the engine made a whirring noise, overheating and slight smell of burnt rubber and delayed to Accelerate luckily I was close to my exit I parked vehicle let it cool down. But still has this issue after about 20-30 minutes of driving more than 60mph
Tl 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. …
Vehicle lacks sufficient ability to move forward following an emergency hard braking event (where the wheels lock up; I do not have ABS). Once the car comes to a complete stop, it feels like it has no power to move forward, pressing the accelerator to the floor does little to help. It seems like the CVT stays in whatever high gear it was when I hit the brakes. I believe this constitutes a critical safety issue because the vehicle is now essentially blocking traffic, the driver is unable to get out of harms way/moving traffic. I have experienced this twice now, both within city limits <=45 MPH. The only way I am able to get the car moving again is to stop/start the engine or put transmission in park (p) then drive (d) to get the CVT to "reset". Shifting into neutral (n) then drive (d) does not help. …
While driving on hwy ** a very busy street the transmission acted up. Would not shift into 1st gear after pulling into traffic. Car started jerking and lost power almost causing a accident. Had to stop the car put it in park turned it off and back on and then it was normal for a short bit, the once you hit 50-60 MPH the car began jerking again. We managed to get over to the side of the road to try to restart and take off again .we never know when this can or will happen. I have read several people complaining of this same issue. This needs to be addressed before someone is killed in a accident over this problem. There are several of these vehicles on the road with this same problem. Would hate to hear of my love ones or yours hurt or killed over this transmission issue. Thank you
I own a 2007 Nissan Altima with only 79K. The transmission went out of warranty by 6 months. I did some research and it looks like thousands of people have reported issues with the CVT transmission. All these transmissions were going out below 85K. I reach out to Nissan for any assistance and they say "no we are sorry, after looking at your file you never complained previously to Nissan with any transmission issue so you are out of warranty." seriously!!! You allow them to build junk and they know it and they only use 10 years or 120K warranty. I am a victim with 79K. Nissan needs to stand by there product? I ask you this one question. Do you think that you own a car with 79K that a transmission needs to be replaced? This is not just me but thousands with the same issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. While driving between 5-45 MPH, the transmission began to slip. The vehicle would jerk while stationary or while driving at low speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to round rock Nissan (located at 3050 n interstate hwy 35, round rock, tx 78681, [phone]) and was informed that nothing could be done besides replacing the transmission. The dealer stated that diagnostic testing could not be performed on the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 33599371. The approximate failure mileage was 109,600.
Transmission complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Nissan Altima, 13% of the model year's 471 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Altima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Nissan Altima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Nissan Altima transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.