Nissan Altima: common faults & what to check

Which Nissan Altima are you looking at?

Pick the year and the engine. The faults below narrow to that exact combination, because a 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way. Free, no account needed.

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The checks worth doing on a Nissan Altima before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Drive at light throttle between 40–80 km/h and feel for shudder or vibration through the drivetrain.

  See why

  QR25DE CVT Failure and Shudder

  The Jatco CVT paired with the QR25DE 2.5-litre four-cylinder is the most significant known fault on 4-cylinder Teana variants across J31 and L33 generations. Early J31 units (2003–2008) suffer outright CVT failure from belt and pulley wear, particularly on high-mileage JDM imports without transmission service records. L33 units (2013–2022) exhibit CVT shudder at light throttle and overheating under sustained load — a pattern specifically warned about by NRMA and Australian consumer groups. Use of non-Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid or delayed fluid changes greatly accelerates failure. Replacement units from Japan are common but carry their own mileage risk.

  What you would notice

  • Shuddering or vibration during light-throttle acceleration from 40–80 km/h
  • Slipping or flaring RPM with no corresponding acceleration
  • Overheating warning or limp-home mode under sustained highway driving
  • Whining or grinding noise from the transmission tunnel
  • Delayed engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse

  Typically $2,800–$6,500 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for chain rattle from the cam cover area.

  See why

  VQ35DE Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle

  The VQ35DE 3.5-litre V6 fitted to J31, J32, and L33 Teana models shares the well-documented secondary timing chain tensioner failure pattern common across Nissan VQ-series engines. The secondary chain on the driver-side bank loses tensioner pressure as the hydraulic tensioner fatigues, causing a pronounced metallic rattle on cold start that typically clears within 30–60 seconds as oil pressure builds. Continued use risks chain skip and catastrophic valve damage. Oil maintenance history is critical — sludged oil from infrequent changes accelerates tensioner wear and blocks the feed galleries. At the mileages common on NZ JDM imports this fault is frequently already present.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start metallic rattling from the top of the engine, typically driver's side
  • Rattle clears within 30–60 seconds of warm-up
  • Rattle worsens after overdue oil changes
  • Check engine light with camshaft timing codes in advanced cases

  Typically $900–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test drive and feel for vibration at 20-60 km/h under light throttle.

  See why

  CVT RE0F09A Belt Judder

  The Teana CVT develops shudder from belt and pulley wear. Very common on examples used for urban short trips. Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid is critical — incorrect fluid accelerates belt damage.

  What you would notice

  • Rhythmic shudder or buzz from drivetrain during light acceleration
  • CVT fluid that is dark rather than the correct clear pink with a burnt smell

  Typically $600–$3,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check for cracked or split ball joint boots leaking grease.

  See why

  Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure

  Front lower control arm ball joints on J31 and J32 Teana models wear prematurely, particularly on JDM import examples that have accumulated 80,000–150,000 km before NZ or AU registration. The original ball joints are not independently serviceable on some variants, requiring full lower arm replacement. Failed ball joints produce clunking over bumps and compromise steering geometry, leading to tyre wear and handling instability. NZ road conditions and the age of these imports make this a near-universal WOF advisory finding.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps or when turning on full lock
  • Vague or wandering steering
  • Uneven or accelerated front tyre wear
  • Visible play when wheel is shaken at 9 and 3 o'clock positions

  Typically $350–$900 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check for pulling under braking.

  See why

  Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure

  Front brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking
  • One front disc hotter than the other after use

  Typically $200–$600 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Scan for EPS fault codes.

  See why

  Electric Power Steering Failure

  EPS system can develop a fault causing loss of power assistance.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden or gradual loss of power steering assistance with EPS warning light
  • Heavy steering requiring significant effort at low speeds

  Typically $700–$2,200 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Nissan Altima’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• CVT Gearbox Repair Cost

Other Nissan models