CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Nissan Altima have filed 229 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
229
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Altima | 144 |
| 2013 Altima | 490 |
| 2014 Altima | 195 |
| 2015 Altima | 157 |
| 2016 Altima (this page) | 229 |
| 2017 Altima | 129 |
| 2018 Altima | 22 |
| 2019 Altima | 9 |
| 2020 Altima | 16 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 229 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 229 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IN THE TCM This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Nissan Altima with CVT transmission has a critical, repeating failure pattern. Owners describe sudden, dangerous acceleration delays: the engine revs to 4,000–6,000 RPM, the accelerator pedal does nothing for 3–10 seconds, then the car lurches forward violently. This happens without warning lights, often after 30+ minutes of driving or in hot weather, and strands drivers in intersections and highway merge lanes.
Transmission jerking and shuddering start around 35,000–50,000 miles and worsen over time. Vehicle enters limp mode, capping speed at 40–60 MPH with the pedal floored. Complete loss of power while driving—engine screaming at 5,000+ RPM while the car crawls or stalls—has put owners inches from serious collisions.
Owners have spent $1,500–$5,000 per transmission replacement; multiple replacements within 1,500 miles are documented. Diagnostic codes P0776 and P0841 (pressure control solenoid and transmission fluid sensor) appear inconsistently. Nissan extended the powertrain warranty to 84,000 miles via class-action settlement, but failures routinely occur immediately after that cutoff. Service bulletins exist (NTB13-054D, NTB16-121a) but dealers report no effective fix. Nissan Consumer Affairs consistently denies assistance beyond warranty mileage. One service manager explicitly recommended buying an extended warranty because CVT failure is "a common thing"—an admission Nissan has done nothing to redesign the transmission.
Same Nissan Altima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Delayed/loss of acceleration from stop
Engine revs but vehicle does not move for 3-10 seconds when depressing accelerator from complete stop, then suddenly lurches forward. Occurs after extended driving, especially on hot days. No check engine light initially; some cases show transmission codes later.
When: After 30+ minutes of driving; typically after 50,000-100,000 miles; some at 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal unresponsive for 3-10 seconds; RPM increases but no vehicle motion; Sudden lurch/jerk forward at high RPM; Worse in hot weather; Resets temporarily after restart; Creates dangerous intersection/merge scenarios
Codes mentioned: P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off), P0841 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance), Transmission-related codes (exact codes often unreported)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report $3,000–$5,100 CVT transmission replacement; some report transmission rebuilt at 40,000 miles; repeated replacements failing within 1-2 years in some cases; parts cost excludes diagnostic fees ($99–$169)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended powertrain warranty to 84,000 miles via class-action settlement; extended to 120,000 miles for some owners; Nissan Consumer Affairs denies assistance beyond warranty period; some offered 60–80% cost assistance; dealer reprogramming of transmission and ECM noted (NTB13-054D); no formal recall issued despite widespread complaints
Inadequate acceleration at highway speeds / limp mode
Vehicle cannot exceed 40–60 MPH, RPM stuck at 2,000–5,000, severe slowdown during freeway merges and intersections. Difficult to diagnose without active failure. Vehicle may oscillate between limp mode and normal function.
When: While driving at highway speeds; typically 50,000–100,000+ miles; some onset at 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM capped at 2,000–5,000 while pressing accelerator fully; Vehicle tops out at 40–60 MPH despite full pedal; Takes 20+ seconds to accelerate from 60 to 75 MPH; Limp mode engagement during driving; Loss of power while merging or crossing intersections; Dangerous traffic situations (near-misses with trucks, oncoming traffic)
Codes mentioned: P0776, P0841, Transmission-related codes (not always triggered)
Repairs/costs cited: $3,000–$5,100 CVT replacement; transmission reprogramming by dealership mentioned in some cases; no consistent fix documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended powertrain warranty (84,000 miles) via class-action settlement; Nissan refuses diagnostics if no check engine light; floor mat blame deflection reported; one dealer duplicated issue and contacted Nissan tech support; warranty denial after 60,000–84,000 miles is standard
Transmission jerking, shuddering, and hesitation
Transmission exhibits jerking and shuddering during acceleration from stops or while driving. Hesitation lasts 5–10 seconds before vehicle moves. Severity increases over time. May be accompanied by RPM fluctuation and high RPM without corresponding speed gain.
When: Typically 40,000–90,000 miles; some onset within 2 months of purchase; worsens progressively
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking/shuddering while accelerating from stop; Hesitation 5–10 seconds after pressing accelerator; RPM jump without proportional speed increase; Transmission feels as though it will not shift or change gears; Requires car restart to temporarily correct; Occurs in stop-and-go traffic, on highways, and during turns
Codes mentioned: P0776, P0841, Sub-assembly failure code, Pressure fluid sensor failure code, No codes in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: $1,100 valve body replacement or $4,000–$4,500 full CVT replacement; some require transmission rebuild at low mileage (40,000 miles); multiple replacements reported to fail within 1–2 years
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty to 84,000 miles; diagnostic cost $99–$169 with no guarantee; dealers sometimes reprogram transmission (NTB13-054D); Nissan Consumer Affairs denies assistance outside warranty; one case: Nissan sent engineer to inspect multiple times with no resolution
Transmission loss of power / stall while driving
Vehicle loses all motive power while in motion, engine revs but car will not move forward. Vehicle may stall or enter limp mode. Requires car restart to regain function. Extremely dangerous in highway and intersection scenarios.
When: At various mileages; documented from 35,000 to 112,000 miles; some recurring after transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 5,000–6,000 RPM but vehicle will not move or move at crawl speed; Complete loss of acceleration despite full pedal depression; Vehicle stalls or loses all propulsion mid-drive; Shuddering and jerking before loss of power; Check engine light may or may not illuminate; Restart temporarily restores function
Codes mentioned: P0776, P0841, Transmission failure codes (often absent until complete failure)
Repairs/costs cited: $2,000–$5,000+ for CVT replacement; repeated failures documented (one owner had transmission replaced twice in ~1,500 miles); transmission shops require Nissan OEM parts, limiting cost options
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action extended warranty covers up to 84,000–120,000 miles; Nissan Consumer Affairs refuses assistance outside warranty mileage; warranty void on branded-title vehicles; one case: Nissan instructed owner to continue driving until warning light appears; dealer offered 60–80% cost assistance in some cases but withheld responsibility
Transmission fluid pressure sensor / solenoid issues
Diagnostic codes indicate pressure control solenoid or transmission fluid pressure sensor failure. Often accompanied by check engine light and drivability issues (hesitation, jerking). Multiple sensor failures reported on same vehicle within short timeframe.
When: 35,000–90,000 miles; recurring failures documented
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Hesitation and loss of acceleration; Jerking and shuddering during shift; Inability to accelerate on green light or during merges; RPM fluctuation; Multiple recurring sensor codes on same vehicle
Codes mentioned: P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off), P0841 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance), P0775 (Pressure Control Solenoid A Performance)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite O2 sensor replacement ($1,500 in one case), brake light switch replacement, Mass Air Flow sensor replacement, and carburetor kit purchase as failed diagnostics; multiple service visits with same complaint and no resolution; sensor replacements have not resolved underlying transmission issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple technical service bulletins issued (NTB13-054D, NTB16-121a, TSB 2022 on A/F sensor); dealers reprogram transmission and ECM per bulletins; service advisors unfamiliar with fixes; one dealership stopped working on the issue entirely after 10 service visits; Nissan engineers inspected vehicles multiple times without resolution
Shifter / gear selection issues
Gear shifter locks in Park or fails to engage intended gear. Vehicle unable to shift from Park to Reverse or Drive. Work-around: inserting pen into shifter mechanism (often unsuccessful). Separate from transmission failure but safety-critical.
When: Unknown exact mileage; documented at 83,470 miles and early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter locked in Park, unable to move to Reverse or Drive; Shifter fails to engage intended gear; Work-around with pen often unsuccessful; Vehicle becomes undriveable
Repairs/costs cited: $1,158.75 independent mechanic repair; owner paid out-of-pocket with zero insurance/manufacturer reimbursement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but failed to respond; no warranty coverage documented
A/F (Air/Fuel) sensor failure with intermittent acceleration loss
Check engine light comes on repeatedly with A/F sensor codes. Vehicle experiences intermittent loss of acceleration (feels like neutral), RPM increases but vehicle does not move, then suddenly accelerates. Issue persists after multiple sensor replacements.
When: Starting at 35,000 miles; recurring throughout ownership; documented to 120,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light repeats after each clear; Gas pedal unresponsive—feels like neutral (RPM up, no motion); Sudden acceleration after delay; No acceleration for several seconds, then violent jerk forward; Service unable to resolve despite multiple visits; Issue transferred to next owner upon sale
Codes mentioned: A/F sensor codes (specific codes not always detailed), O2 sensor-related codes
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple A/F sensor replacements ($1,500+ in diagnostics and repairs); carburetor kit purchases; Mass Air Flow sensor replacement; none resolve issue; dealership eventually stops accepting repairs for this issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple technical service bulletins (2022 bulletin mentioned); dealership unable to implement fixes; Nissan suggested owner sell vehicle; engineers inspected vehicle multiple times without resolution
Synthesized from 229 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The car has a CVT transmission that is not functioning properly. The transmission shudders, acclerates on its own, or turns off completely when it warms, it is not safe to drive on the freeway or drive in warm weather due to the fact that the car shuts off when it heats up. It is unsafe to drive, it continues to be a problem with many of nissans CVT transmissions that they are not fixing.
My car has several problems with accelerating either during highway speeds or from a dead stop. First , the car starts fine and engine runs fine, does not idle rough or stall out. The problems arise after driving for a few miles and I come to a complete stop, either at a stop light or sign. When the light turns green and I attempt to move the car, there is a severe lag in response to get the car…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the RPM’s revved up and the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed and went all the way to the…
My 2016 altima sr is experiencing a sporadic delay when accelerating from a stop. It won't rev or do anything for a couple of seconds no matter how far down the pedal is. Then all of a sudden it'll go. There is no check engine light and no codes. If I turn the car off, it's like it resets and has more power afterwards. The dealer has consulted their 'tech line', this happen twice…
Locks are unlocking themselves driving and when parked
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 229 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 131 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,540 and 83,470 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,540; a quarter make it past 83,470. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.