Nissan Altima: Common Codes & Fixes

Real-world diagnostic data for the Nissan Altima. These are the codes techs see most often. Tap any code for the full vehicle-specific fix and the exact part.

54 codes have specific fixes for the Nissan Altima
C1109 C1109 on Nissan and Infiniti is an ABS control-unit power-supply fault, and it is far more often a supply problem than a failed ABS module. 2003-2015 · easy DIY · 30 min (battery/ground testing) P0018 Timing chain stretch is the primary cause on VQ35/VQ37 engines. 2007-2015 · hard DIY · 8-12 hours P0019 Timing chain stretch between the intake and exhaust cam on Bank 2 is the root cause on VQ engines. 2002-2008 · hard DIY · 10-14 hours P0021 Intake camshaft timing over-advanced on bank 2 is most often caused by dirty oil or a stuck variable valve timing (VVT/VTC) solenoid. 2007-2015 · moderate DIY · 1-2 hours P0036 Nissan downstream O2 sensor heater failure usually means the sensor itself is dead. 2007-2019 · easy DIY · 30 min - 1 hour P0050 The bank 2 upstream O2 sensor on Nissan VQ-series V6 engines is located on the rear exhaust manifold, which makes access difficult. 2007-2019 · moderate DIY · 1-2 hours P0101 The MAF sensor (Hitachi) on Nissan QR25DE engines gets contaminated quickly. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 10 min (clean), 20 min (boot replacement) P0102 MAF signal is too low -- usually a dirty or failed sensor element. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 10-20 min P0103 High MAF signal can be caused by a contaminated sensor element or an electrical short in the wiring. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 10-20 min P0110 IAT sensor is integrated into the MAF on Nissan QR25DE. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 10-20 min P0120 TPS circuit has a dead spot or erratic signal. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 30 min P0129 Barometric pressure sensor (integrated into MAP on most VQ35) reads too low. 2005-2015 · Easy DIY · 20-30 min P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire on the VQ35DE V6. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 30 min P0305 Cylinder 5 on the VQ35DE is on the front bank. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 30 min P0306 Cylinder 6 on the VQ35DE is the rear bank passenger side. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 30 min P0325 Knock sensor is buried under the intake manifold. 2002-2015 · moderate DIY · 2-3 hours P0327 Knock sensor under the intake manifold has failed or the wiring harness is damaged. 2002-2015 · Moderate DIY · 2-3 hours P0330 Bank 2 knock sensor has failed. 2002-2015 · Moderate DIY · 2-3 hours P0335 CKP sensor is located near the transmission bellhousing on the passenger side. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 30 min P0340 Camshaft position sensor failure is extremely common on VQ35DE engines. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 30 min P0341 Camshaft position sensor signal is out of expected range. 2002-2015 · easy (sensor), hard (chain) DIY · 30 min (sensor), 6-8 hours (timing chain) P0345 Bank 2 camshaft position sensor (exhaust side, rear of engine) has failed. 2002-2015 · Easy DIY · 30 min P0391 Bank 2 (passenger side) camshaft position sensor B circuit fault. 2005-2015 · Moderate DIY · 45-60 min P0420 Nissan has a known issue with premature cat failure. 2004-2018 · easy (PCV) DIY · 15 min (PCV), 2 hours (cat) P0432 The Nissan engine is generally reliable, but the Bank 2 main cat can fail at high mileage. 2005-2018 · moderate to hard DIY · 2-3 hours P0440 The EVAP canister vent control valve (located near the charcoal canister by the fuel tank) sticks closed or open on Nissan vehicles. 2004-2018 · moderate DIY · 30-45 min P0446 The EVAP canister vent control valve sticks closed on Nissan vehicles. 2005-2015 · moderate DIY · 30-45 min P0447 P0447 indicates the EVAP vent control valve circuit is open. 2005-2018 · moderate DIY · 30-45 min P0448 P0448 means the EVAP vent control valve circuit is shorted. 2005-2018 · moderate DIY · 30-45 min P0499 P0499 on Nissan = EVAP vent control circuit high voltage. 2008-2016 · moderate DIY · 1 hour P0500 The output shaft speed sensor on Nissan CVT and automatic transmissions fails around 100-120K miles. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 30 min P0505 Clean the IACV and throttle body together. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 30-45 min P0506 The electronic throttle body accumulates carbon deposits that reduce airflow at idle. 2002-2012 · Easy DIY · 30-45 minutes P0507 The electronic throttle body on the QR25DE accumulates heavy carbon deposits. 2002-2015 · easy DIY · 20 min P0604 Nissan P0604 means the ECM's internal RAM has failed self-check. 2007-2015 · pro only DIY · 2-3 hours P0615 Check IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) for failed internal starter relay. 2007-2018 · hard DIY · 2 hours P0700 P0700 on Nissan CVT transmissions is a red flag for CVT failure. 2005-2017 · easy (fluid), hard (CVT replacement) DIY · 30 min (fluid drain and fill) P0706 The transmission range sensor (also called inhibitor switch) on Nissan CVTs develops internal contact wear causing intermittent… 2003-2015 · Moderate DIY · 1-2 hours P0715 The input speed sensor (turbine speed sensor) on Nissan CVTs fails from heat and ATF contamination. 2003-2015 · Moderate DIY · 0.5-1 hour P0717 The input speed sensor on Nissan CVTs (JF011E/RE0F10A) loses signal due to metal debris on the sensor tip or wiring harness damage from… 2003-2015 · Moderate DIY · 0.5-1 hour P0720 The output speed sensor on Nissan CVTs fails at a high rate due to heat soak from the CVT running hot. 2003-2016 · Easy DIY · 0.5-1 hour P0722 Nissan CVT output speed sensor (also called vehicle speed sensor) fails when metal particles from the steel belt contaminate the sensor. 2003-2016 · Moderate DIY · 0.5-1 hour P0744 Nissan CVTs don't have a traditional torque converter clutch, but the lockup function can become intermittent. 2003-2016 · Easy (fluid), Advanced (converter) DIY · 30-45 min (fluid), 6-8 hours (converter) P0750 Shift solenoid A on the Nissan 5-speed auto fails from debris in contaminated fluid. 2003-2015 · Advanced DIY · 3-5 hours P0756 The RE5R05A 5-speed automatic uses Shift Solenoid B for 2nd-3rd gear transitions. 2003-2016 · Advanced DIY · 4-6 hours P0770 On Nissan CVTs, P0770 indicates a pressure control issue within the valve body. 2007-2018 · Advanced DIY · 4-6 hours P0776 Pressure control solenoid B performance on Nissan CVTs controls secondary pulley pressure. 2003-2016 · Easy (fluid), Advanced (solenoid) DIY · 30-45 min (fluid), 4-6 hours (solenoid) P0868 Low transmission fluid pressure on Nissan CVTs is a serious code that often precedes complete CVT failure. 2003-2016 · Easy (fluid), Advanced (CVT replacement) DIY · 30-45 min (fluid check), 8-12 hours (CVT replacement) P0894 Transmission component slipping on Nissan CVTs is a critical code indicating steel belt or pulley wear. 2003-2016 · Easy (fluid), Advanced (CVT replacement) DIY · 30-45 min (fluid), 8-12 hours (CVT replacement) P2106 Nissan P2106 often = corroded connector at the electronic throttle body (ETB). 2004-2013 · easy DIY · 30 min P2106 Failed electronic throttle control module on Nissan. 2002-2008 · easy DIY · 30-45 min P2138 Check accelerator pedal ground (chassis ground near firewall). 2004-2014 · easy DIY · 45 min P3182 P3182 on Nissan CVT vehicles typically indicates a fuel delivery problem that can mimic CVT symptoms. 2013-2018 · Moderate DIY · 2-3 hours U1000 U1000 is Nissan-specific and means a CAN communication fault. 2007-2020 · easy DIY · 15-30 min U1266 U1266 on Altima/Maxima is a lost communication code tied to the BCM/IPDM. 2007-2012 · Moderate DIY · 1-2 hours
Parts for this vehicle

Need parts for your Nissan Altima?

PartsGeek stocks OEM, aftermarket, refurbished and rebuilt parts. This link opens their catalog filtered to your make — pick your exact year and model there to confirm fitment. We are a PartsGeek affiliate: buying through this link earns us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common check engine light codes on a Nissan Altima?

The most commonly reported OBD-II codes for the Nissan Altima include C1109, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0036. Each code indicates a specific issue -- tap any code above for the full diagnostic breakdown.

How much does it cost to fix a check engine light on a Nissan Altima?

Repair costs vary by code. Many Nissan Altima fixes like gas cap replacement, sensor cleaning, or spark plug changes are under $50 in parts and can be done at home. More complex repairs like catalytic converter or transmission work can run $500-$2,000+ at a shop.

Can I drive my Nissan Altima with the check engine light on?

It depends on the code. A steady check engine light usually means you can drive short distances safely. A flashing check engine light means stop driving immediately -- continued driving can cause serious engine damage. Scan the code first to know what you are dealing with.

Explore More

All vehicle fixes | Browse all codes | Codes by make