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 2015 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the transmission seemed as if it was experiencing a failure since the vehicle would jerk while driving with an abnormal odor of coolant burning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,200.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and made an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that the check engine and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was included in Nissan Manufacturer Recall Number: PC490. The contact was advised that a manager would reach out. However, the contact was awaiting a call from the manager. …
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed that the transmission was slipping. The contact's wife drove to their residence and informed him. The contact test drove the vehicle at 40 MPH and noticed that the transmission was slipping into a lower gear. The contact drove to his residence and used an OBD reader to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty would cover half of the repair fee and he would be responsible for the other half. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle and switched gears to drive but the vehicle failed to respond and would not move. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall for the transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate from a complete stop and jerked. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed on the vehicle, and it was confirmed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-35 mph. The contact stated that the engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed her that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced and that there was no warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and discovered that the transmission had completely failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle later failed to start and was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the variable valve timing (VVT) solenoids. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,287.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate immediately. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with CVT judder, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,737.
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate and respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Transmission complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 161 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Nissan Altima, 17% of the model year's 955 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Altima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2015 Nissan Altima, though it has 10 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 2015 Nissan Altima transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 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.