CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION 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 Versa Note powertrain problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 10 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Nissan Versa Note, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 37% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or obvious CV Joint risk due to water intrusion and/or complete grease loss, check for REPAIR KIT-DUST BOOT (CV Joint Boot Kit) availability. ï· If there is a REPAIR KIT-DUST BOOT (CV Joint Boot Kit) available for the vehicle being repaired, do NOT replace the axle. Install a new boot kit following the procedure in the ESM. o Refer to the ESM: TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE > FRONT AXLE > REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION > FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOOT o If the complete axle (drive shaft) is replaced when only a new boot is required, the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS USING FLUORESCENT DYE 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
Transmission problems dominate the complaint cluster on this car. Owners describe sudden loss of speed during highway driving, metal shards found in the transmission pan, complete failure to engage gears, and slipping that sends the vehicle into limp mode—often with zero warning before the car quits. One owner had a transmission replaced under warranty, then faced the same failure 15,000 miles later and was forced to pay part of the second replacement out of pocket.
Several complaints detail dangerous situations: a car losing power on a short street with traffic behind it, another coasting downhill out of control, a third stranded on the freeway when the clutch bottomed out and engagement was lost. Many owners note no warning lights appeared until complete failure.
Nissan extended warranty coverage to 84,000 miles and settled a class action lawsuit, but owners report the company wants $4,000 out of pocket even after warranty coverage, and full replacement isn't always covered even when the same transmission fails again within a year.
A long-standing issue of insufficient power going up hills and shuddering during lane changes appears since purchase on some units. One complaint cites a known code (NTB17-034g) tied to transmission jumping and limp mode, flagged by mechanics as a safety concern.
Same Nissan Versa Note powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission metal debris/internal failure
Transmission develops internal damage with metal shards in the pan, leading to complete failure. Owner reports metal shards discovered during transmission pan inspection at dealership.
When: 101,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexplained speed loss during highway driving (70 mph dropping to 30 mph); RPM fluctuation while driving; Loud scraping noise from engine compartment; No warning lights before complete failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement recommended; not performed by owner at time of report
Transmission failure with no engagement
Transmission loses ability to engage gears. First occurrence in year one; second occurrence one year later where clutch bottoms out and no downshift or gear engagement possible. Creates immediate safety hazard on freeway.
When: First year of ownership; second occurrence approximately two years later
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but no gears engage; Clutch bottoms out; Cannot downshift or shift into any gear; No warning signs before failure
Repairs/costs cited: First failure covered under warranty by dealership; second failure not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First occurrence covered under factory warranty
Transmission slipping and jerking on acceleration
Transmission slips and jerks during acceleration, with the vehicle entering limp mode to protect the engine. Owner reports jumping sensation when accelerating and vehicle entering limp mode randomly.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jumps/jerks when accelerating; Transmission slipping sensation; Vehicle enters limp mode randomly; Reduced acceleration performance
Codes mentioned: NTB17-034g
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic noted this is a known safety issue
Transmission slipping with low transmission fluid
Transmission slips and engine shuts off during operation. Dealership requires transmission fluid check for diagnosis.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips; Engine shuts off; Loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership requires transmission fluid check
Sudden deceleration under power
Transmission fails suddenly while driving, causing unexpected deceleration even with gas pedal engaged. Vehicle shudders or hiccups during acceleration and deceleration without warning. MIL only illuminates after complete failure when vehicle cannot move forward.
When: 120,000+ miles (one complaint); failure timing not specified for others
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shudders or hiccups during acceleration; Unexpected deceleration with gas pedal engaged; Sudden loss of forward motion; Shuddering during deceleration without warning; MIL light only appears after total failure
Repairs/costs cited: Settlement reached with Nissan in class action lawsuit regarding transmission failure issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty to 84,000 miles; class action settlement reached; does not fully cover replacement cost
Erratic idle and hard braking required at stops
Vehicle surges forward excessively when stopping at traffic lights or stop signs, requiring heavy brake pressure to stop. Engine appears to stay in second gear rather than dropping to idle.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive forward movement when stopping; Requires hard brake pressure to stop; Vehicle appears to remain in second gear at stops; Brake pressure requirement increases over time
Oil level loss without visible leaks
Engine loses oil level with no external leaks found. Oil loss causes transmission and engine to operate abnormally with noise on acceleration.
When: After 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops without visible leaks; Transmission makes weird noises when accelerating; Engine makes weird noises when gas pedal pressed; Transmission slipping sounds during acceleration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit settlement reached
Chronic lack of power on hills and lane-change shudder
Vehicle has had insufficient power for hill climbing since purchase and shudders when changing lanes. Long-standing issue reported as common across Nissan vehicles and subject of service bulletins.
When: Since day one of ownership; 46,000 miles at time of report
Symptoms owners cite: Lack of power going up hills; Shuddering when changing lanes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued; referred to as common problem across multiple Nissan vehicles
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open from outside, and sometimes will not open from inside, and the rear hatch will not open at all. The drivers door you have…
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue…
My vehicle was jumping when accelerating. It then went into limp mode to protect the engine due to code NTB17-034g. The mechanic stated this code is coming up and is a safety issue. The car is not accelerating as normal, car is jumping and will go into limp mode randomly.
We have a 2016 Nissan Versa Note with 85,000 miles on it. The car transmission failed while driving. The car suddenly decelerates even with the gas engaged. This is a serious safety issue and could case a serious accident. Nissan extended the warranty to 84,000 miles because they know this is an issue but won't issue a recall. They also want stand behind their vehicle and help with repar costs.…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle would inadvertently decrease in speed to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the RPMs would fluctuate while driving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but could not be diagnosed by an unauthorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired…
Transmission slips, has shut of the engine. Have to go to dealership to have transmission fluid checked!
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Nissan Versa Note?
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 Versa Note?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 88,498 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Versa Note.
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.