6th Mar 2012, 14:49
I own a 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5L with the 5 speed auto transmission. The car has 77K miles on it, as my wife only drives it to and from work.
The car started shifting very hard, shifting up at low speeds. It also downshifts hard enough to shake the car as it slows to a stop. Took it to my mechanic, and was told many, many cars with the 3.5 litre motor have faulty transmission valve assemblies... I was told that many transmissions in both the Maxima and Altima with the 3.5 liter motor have the same problem of hard shifting. The advice was to flush the transmission fluid and hope to clear the problem.
Also, the hard shifting broke the hydraulic engine mount on the car causing additional vibration. The flush and mount replacement ran $550.00. My only other option was to replace the valve assembly at $1200 dollars with no guarantee of how long it would last (many fail immediately because the factory part is faulty) or replace the transmission for $3500 (with only a 1 year, 12K warranty). I chose to flush the trans, and wait for it to break before replacing the transmission.
This is my fifth Nissan, and we own a Nissan P/U, and I drive an Infiniti I-35. I drove a '92 Maxima for 250K with no engine or trans failures. I wish for those days again.
I will not buy another Nissan sedan if this is what Nissan has lowered itself to quality wise.
26th Apr 2012, 08:37
Did you find out why this happened? I have the same make and model, and have experienced the same issue...
28th May 2012, 00:46
I have Nissan Altima 2005; 2.5 with only 44,000 miles (hardly drive, but out from warranty as 60 months time expired).
It won't shift out from P gear.
Just wonder when this company will start doing the recall?
30th Jul 2012, 14:23
I have the same issue, and was told it would be $850, and that is the cheap price.
24th Sep 2012, 11:06
I noticed this issue on my Altima too. Did you get this fixed? I would like to know what it was.
28th Jul 2013, 21:42
My 05 is doing the same thing. I sure would like to talk to your mechanic. I am taking it in tomorrow. Please respond if the mechanic's name can be shared. TxMack
1st Oct 2014, 03:26
I have the same problem. 2005 Nissan Altima with 123,000 miles on it. Took it to AAMCO, nothing came up. I believe it's the solenoid wire. The fluid is red so it's good. My plan is to change the fluid when it starts turning color. I will drop the pan, and drain a quart of oil. Then I'll add a quart of oil. Then next week, I do the same with another quart. Until I drain all five quarts. This prevents me from putting in completely brand new fluid and damaging the transmission. Also, I bought the car at about 100K miles, and I do not know when the last transmission fluid change was done.
30th Dec 2011, 21:58
I have a Nissan Altima 2005 auto, and the gear shifter get stuck in park, and from neutral to park. Really getting aggravated. 102,000 miles. loved it up till this point, but it seems like a lot of people are having this problem. Any suggestions on exactly what it is exactly?