Q: Car engine turns off and dies when car is put in reverse or drive.

asked by on November 30, 2016

Vehicle starts up fine. Engine idles regularly, in neutral the engine can be revved up with no problem. When car is put into reverse or drive, the engine sputters and then seizes up and dies. Check engine and oil light comes on after car engine dies. Oil recently changed.

My car has 85000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hello there, many common faults will cause your 2008 Nissan Altima to shut off when put in drive or reverse. The first step in diagnosis is to check the transmission for leaks, and the fluid level and condition. Once the transmission fluid is checked most common faults are the torque converter, Idle air control valve, vacuum leaks, or a wiring harness fault. A qualified Technician such as one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your engine shuts off when put in drive and make any repairs required.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Rock knocked out my AC, is it bad quality?
Honda knows about this condition on the Odyssey model (along with other models) and there is plenty of evidence on this issue. The issue is that a small rock (pebble) is able penetrate the front grille at a sufficient speed...
Oil pan leaking and smoking
Oil leaks are common especially as vehicles get older. The smoke you see/smell is from the oil falling on hot metal from the engine running. As the oil burns off you see the smoke and get the odor. Once we...
P0017 check engine code
Most of the time, replacing the components that you did will take care of the P0017 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0079-obd-ii-trouble-code-crankshaft-position-camshaft-position-correlation-bank-1-sensor-b-by-jay-safford). Lack of oil flow to the actuator can contribute to the code. Also, using motor oil that has a different viscosity rating...
Loud noise coming from front part of my car starting at 30 kph
From what you are saying it sounds like you may have a failure in the power steering pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pump-replacement) or possibly the belt. If the noise only occurs when the vehicle is moving then it is more than likely a...
Have a ford Ka and the gears are getting stuck 2007 Ford Ka
Hello - it sounds like the clutch or the clutch hydraulic system is failing to disengage (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-does-a-clutch-engage-and-disengage) the clutch. This causes all the clashing and grinding when shifting into any gear. I would recommend a clutch system inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-is-not-fully-disengaging-inspection) by...
What is usually the ball park figure to have my rear brake pads, rotors, and calibers replaced?
Billing question sent to CS for the cost of parts and labor to replace the brake pads, rotors, and calipers on a 2003 Cadillac DeVille with a V8-4.6L engine.
Strong smell of gas in my 2002 volvo v70. 161,000 miles
Hello there. Anytime you smell gasoline inside the cabin of a car, truck or SUV; it's typically an indicator of a fuel leak. This is a situation that should not be avoided, as although it might seem to be a...
Have a 91 Lincoln town car and it stalls when I put in park and while driving.
This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear, making turns (which makes use of the power steering pressure switch) turning on...
I just had a tire replaced on the rear of the vehicle. Now I hear a "clicking" noise when I apply the brakes. What could the probl
Depending on if you have rear drum or disc brakes the noise is usually caused by a warped surface of the rotor or drum. The mechanic may have took off the rear drum to inspect the brakes and knocked out...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan LEAF
The The introduction of the LEAF represented the beginning of an age many car experts were skeptical would even happen – true mass production of a 100% electric vehicle. Not only did it happen but the LEAF was grabbed up...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Nissan Titan
With With the 2012 Titan, Nissan continues its march into domestic territory. This model lives up to its name, but it’s also quite impressive inside as well. Even if you are in the market and wouldn’t normally consider a truck,...
Industry News for Automotive Techs: November 5 - November 11
Tesla buys Grohmann Engineering, Ferrari's future hybrids, next-gen Dodge Charger and Challenger, Nissan e-Power system, and YourMechanic recognition.