P0744: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - watch for rpm flare at steady highway speed.
Symptoms
- Lock-up engaging and dropping repeatedly
- Rpm flaring intermittently at cruise
- Occasional shudder
- Code returning after clearing
Likely causes, most common first
- Intermittent wiring fault to the TCC solenoid
- Case connector seeping fluid into the terminals
- Solenoid failing when hot
- Worn converter clutch mechanically slipping
Read P0744 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0744 is the intermittent flavor: lock-up works, then drops, then works again. Heat is the usual accomplice - a solenoid or connection that behaves cold and fails after twenty highway minutes produces a code that never reproduces in the shop parking lot.
Transmission case connectors have a known habit worth checking first: fluid wicks up the harness into the connector, softens the terminal seals, and creates exactly this kind of heat-dependent intermittent. Pulling the connector and finding fluid where electrons should be is a common and satisfying diagnosis - and far cheaper than the torque converter that might otherwise be blamed.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0744
“P0744. Torque Converter Clutch Circuit. Intermittent issue, TSB issued back in 2008 but only affected certain models in that year. (NTB09-148a). current vehicle-2013 Nissan Rogue has intermittent code and has issue traveling down highway above 70 mph.”2013 Nissan Rogue · Dec 2024
“The Car seems to always have a strange issue with power. I have taken it for all services and recall but nothing has every fixed that issue. From talking to other Ford fusion 2013-2014 owners the transmission is bad on these cars from the start. It would be bad to loose or have the transmission go out on any major road people could get hurt. I am now getting p0744,p0741. I believe it is related to other issue suck as car clutch assembly malfunction causing high rev because car pop into wrong gears while driving. This should be a ford issue and google search and you will find everyone who own a ford fusion having this problem.”2014 Ford Fusion · Apr 2023 · 120,712 mi
“Oct 9, 2021 had issues including loss of power, transmission jerking, transmission slipping while driving. Just returned from dealer for service on my 2015 Nissan Rogue with 55k miles saying it needs a new CVT and it's not covered under warranty. First occurred on Oct 9, the dealer applied the reprogram on Oct 12, but issue came back that night. Took it back today and the new code is the P0744 shudder saying replace CVT. CVT issue causes hazardous driving conditions as the vehicle jerks, loses power, then quickly accelerates, then lunges, etc.”2015 Nissan Rogue · Oct 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle loses power on long er drives and slows speed to unsafe speed on hwys. Rpms go high about 4. Check engine light came on. Code P0744 torque converter clutch circuit power train system.”2013 Nissan Rogue · Sep 2021
“The engine light popped on and then the car wouldn't accelerate the odometer didn't pass 0mph you have to repeatedly restart the car to even get the car to 20 mph. When going up a hill the car wouldn't go fast enough so I started to roll back. Got the car scanned and the things that popped up was p0744, p285a, p0715”2016 Nissan Sentra · Jan 2021
“Lock/unlock request button on the outside handle does not respond,exterior lamp fogging, engine,equipmet ,igition swtch, p0744 torque converter clutch solenoid circuit intermittent, p1778 transmission reverse I/p circuit, p0345 camshaft position sensor a circuit, p0051 ho2s heater control circuit, p0150 o2 circuit this vehicle was in motion on the highway and shut down”2007 Nissan Murano · Nov 2019
“Torque converter malfunction diagnostic code p0744 requiring replacement of transmission at 66,000. Noticed stalling at highway speeds.”2013 Nissan Rogue · Oct 2019 · 66,000 mi
“My vehicles transmission warranty ended at 120,000 miles. My vehicle has about 145,500 miles. I've read online these vehicles with cvt transmission have issues with repair code p0744. They have a service bulletin for older vehicles except mine to replace transmission valve body assembly. I called nissan consumer affairs and was told they cannot help because warranty expired and vehicle is old. All I'm asking for them to cover most of the repairs or all of it. In this case vehicle car was being driven. Vehicles rpm fluctuated? Jerked and lost speed, then speed would increase. Repairs is going to cost me over $1200.00.”2009 Nissan Sentra · Jun 2019 · 145,500 mi
“Traveling to arizona over the mountain hill, all of a sudden car loss power. My rpm stays below 3 with gas pedal all the down the floor and my engine light turned on. Pulled over and sat 30 minutes. Was able to drive the car to the nearest shop and pulled the engine light code to p0744.”2015 Nissan Rogue · Mar 2019 · 190 mi
“I had stopped briefly to pay a toll and when I was ready to drive the car hesitated and the rpm went to 4 and it started to go slowly then the engine light came on. Drove slowly to nearest repair shop and the codes that came up were p0744 and p1740. Had to tow my vehicle home at the cost of $360.”2013 Nissan Rogue · May 2017 · 110,000 mi
Cars that report P0744 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0744?
Yes - watch for rpm flare at steady highway speed.
How much does it cost to fix P0744?
Typical US repair costs range from $100 for the simplest fix (connector repair) to $3,000 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0744. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.