2010 Nissan Altima: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Altima report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 11 owner complaints, average mileage 133,950 miles.
NHTSA has 75 owner complaints for the 2010 Altima in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11668297 (filed 06/21/2025): “I am having problems with my ecu malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my o2 sensors to malfunction. i'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number ntb 12-040 d…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11535771 (filed 08/01/2023): “At some point on the highway the car throttles down to less than 60 mph. mashing the gas pedal to the floor results in nothing happening. this causes a dangerous road situation with the slower speed, but the worst part is when it suddenly begins to accelerate …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmisson (9 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,840 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto