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.
2016 nissan Altima powertrain problems
moderate 228 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
228
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 m…
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 fl…
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
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 228 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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