Your car’s transmission is one of its hardest-working systems. It channels power from the engine to the wheels, making sure you can accelerate smoothly, handle hills with confidence, and cruise comfortably down the highway.
But when transmissions go bad, they can turn your car ownership experience into a frustrating and expensive ordeal.
We believe in helping drivers make smart, informed decisions. In this guide, we break down five vehicles widely known for their transmission troubles.
These models — the Nissan Altima, Infiniti QX60, Ford Focus, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chevy Traverse — have earned reputations for jerky shifting, early failures, and pricey repairs.
We will explain the common problems, what owners have faced, and offer suggestions for better alternatives so you can drive with more peace of mind.
1. Nissan Altima
What Went Wrong
The Nissan Altima’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has been at the center of thousands of complaints. Models from 2013–2018 — especially the 2016 version — are most affected.
Common issues include:
- Jerky acceleration — drivers report lurching and hesitation when picking up speed.
- Whining or grinding noises — often a sign of serious internal wear.
- Metal shavings in the transmission pan — a red flag for premature damage.
- Early failures — many Altima owners experience problems between 42,000 and 77,000 miles, much earlier than expected.
Owner Impact
For owners, these problems bring not only mechanical headaches but emotional and financial stress. A failed transmission can cost $4,000–$6,000 or more to replace.
Even worse, the unpredictable performance — sudden power loss or hesitation — can pose real safety risks on busy roads. Altima resale values have taken a hit, as buyers steer clear of CVT-equipped models.
Manufacturer Response
While Nissan has faced class action lawsuits over these problems, it has not issued a formal transmission recall for the Altima. Some owners have seen extended warranty offers, but coverage often falls short.
Smarter Alternatives
Looking for a reliable midsize sedan? The Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat are frequently recommended for their robust automatic transmissions and stronger long-term reliability.
2. Infiniti QX60
What Went Wrong
The Infiniti QX60, Nissan’s luxury sibling, unfortunately shares the same problematic CVT design. Trouble spots include:
- Early failures — some drivers experience breakdowns at just 90,000 miles or sooner.
- Shuddering and jerking — noticeable vibrations during acceleration or cruising.
- Delayed acceleration — you press the gas pedal, but the car hesitates or revs without picking up speed.
- Complete transmission failure — leaving the vehicle undrivable.
Owner Impact
QX60 owners expect luxury, but many get headaches instead. High repair bills — often $4,000–$7,000 — combined with multiple trips to the shop quickly erode confidence.
More importantly, the delayed throttle response can be dangerous when merging or overtaking, adding stress to daily driving.
Manufacturer Response
Infiniti settled a class action lawsuit covering 2019–2021 models and extended some warranties. Older models, like 2013–2014, have also been covered by previous settlements.
Smarter Alternatives
For those wanting luxury without the drama, the Lexus RX is widely praised for its durable transmission and smooth driving experience.
3. Ford Focus
What Went Wrong
The 2012–2016 Ford Focus is infamous for its Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission — a system meant to blend manual and automatic performance but often fell short.
Typical complaints:
- Overheating under moderate driving stress.
- Slipping gears that cause jerky, unpredictable shifts.
- Holding gears too long, leading to sluggish acceleration.
- Early failure — many owners see major issues as early as 30,000–60,000 miles.
Owner Impact
Focus owners often face not just mechanical problems, but safety concerns. Reports of sudden power loss or gear slipping have left drivers feeling vulnerable on highways and city streets alike.
Repairs can cost $3,000–$5,000 or more, sometimes exceeding the car’s value. Even worse, many owners have complained that repeated repairs under warranty did not fully resolve the issues.
Manufacturer Response
Ford issued several recalls, including for the Transmission Control Module (TCM), and settled class action lawsuits by extending warranties to 10 years or 150,000 miles. But many owners remain frustrated.
Smarter Alternatives
For compact car shoppers, the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 offer dependable transmissions and a far better track record.
4. Nissan Pathfinder
What Went Wrong
The Nissan Pathfinder, another CVT-equipped SUV, has had major transmission headaches in the 2013–2014 and 2019–2021 model years.
Typical issues:
- Shuddering and lurching under acceleration.
- Delayed response — worrying lag when you need to accelerate or merge.
- Frequent transmission failures starting around 58,000 miles.
Owner Impact
For families looking for a dependable SUV, the Pathfinder’s CVT problems have been a major disappointment. High repair costs — between $4,000–$7,000 — plus multiple recalls have made many owners wary. The lag in acceleration also raises safety concerns, especially in stop-and-go traffic or when crossing intersections.
Manufacturer Response
Nissan settled a class action lawsuit for 2019–2021 models, paying out nearly $277 million and extending warranties. Still, many owners of earlier models were left to face repairs on their own.
Smarter Alternatives
The Toyota Highlander is a standout alternative, praised for its reliability, smooth-shifting automatic transmission, and family-friendly design.
5. Chevy Traverse
What Went Wrong
The Chevy Traverse, particularly the 2013, 2018–2020, and 2023 models, has been criticized for its 6-speed automatic transmission (and later, other issues).
Known problems:
- Slow shifting, especially on hills.
- Gear hunting, where the transmission struggles to choose the correct gear.
- Oil leaks due to missing bolts on some models, increasing the risk of transmission failure.
- Early rebuilds — some 2013 models needed full rebuilds around 100,000 miles.
Owner Impact
Traverse owners have faced some of the most expensive repairs in this group, with transmission rebuilds and replacements running up to $9,500.
Oil leaks add another layer of risk, sometimes causing sudden loss of power on the road. These issues have significantly damaged the model’s resale appeal.
Manufacturer Response
General Motors issued several recalls, including one for 2018–2020 models over missing bolts and another in 2023 for incorrect sun gears. But long wait times and repeated failures have left owners frustrated.
Smarter Alternatives
Once again, the Toyota Highlander shines as a reliable midsize SUV with a stellar transmission reputation.