CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2016 Nissan Altima shows multiple problem trends, continuing the poor reputation of the 2013-2015 Altima, prompting us to give it our "Beware of the Clunker" badge.

Owners are complaining about transmission problems related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
76,000 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. replace transmission (2 reports)
2016 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2016 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #12

May 202023

Altima 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My mother drives this car she's retired. Having no funds to pay for the issues she's having. The car doesn't run!!! It's been down a couple weeks now. Was given sensors codes bought them. Still not running. Now we got another code for transmission issues. But not pin pointing what kind it needs such as parts, fluids, or needing a new transmission! She was on her way home when she broke down along side of the freeway, in the heat! She said it jerks, stalls, and battery was jus replaced, also it failed the smog test! She still has $18000 to pay on it. Only had it for 1 year 7 months. The dealership we got it from ain't much of any help! I had bought a car from them and had nothing but issues with that car. Till it finally broke down, breaking so many things under my car. So upsetting that we can't afford to get this car fixed. She's got no warranty on it to cover it. Now I find out that it may be recalled due to these issues!!! Help please. What can we do!!!

- Melissa G., Mesa, US

problem #11

Oct 142022

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 97,000 miles

This car keeps having problems with the gear shifting.

We've changed the transmission fluid 2x in the last year and the problem comes back in 1,000 miles or so.

Update from Oct 31, 2022: Transmission is no longer functional.

- Romney O., Spanish Fork, UT, US

problem #10

Jun 062022

Altima 4S 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I purchased this use car in May 2022. Then June comes in, I'm at a red light, light turns green and I can't move for seconds. I think when you have been driving the car for a while and the transmission is really hot - that's when I experience this pain in the ass. Have took it to the dealer. They don't see anything wrong, no codes, no recalls or any lights on. I love my car but sometimes, I just want to get rid of it before it causes a really bad accident. I need some help on what to do next.

- Latoya H., Augusta, US

problem #9

Feb 272019

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We need to get 2016 Altima owners together and try a class action suit against Nissan for continuing to ignore their customers problems with their CVT transmission. My Nissan has been having the same hesitation from a stop (when the engine/trans is warm) as countless other owners out there. And there are horror stories of owners being as little as 750 miles out of warranty not getting any help from Corporate Nissan. For the rest of us that are past warranty, we are looking at at least a $4000 bill!

- boidies, Shoreview, US

problem #8

Aug 142019

Altima 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Last year my 2016 Nissan Altima started not accelerating and jumping when trying to take off from a stop. Then it died twice at different times, but started up. I looked on-line & found that there is a major problem with the CVS transmission, and that the problem matched what my Nissan was doing. Thereafter, it started to jolt after a stop and accelerate fast, to where I had to apply the brakes. Then, I received a recall notice telling me about the CVS issue.

I took it to two dealerships and they said that there were no codes, so they could not do anything? YESTERDAY, (2-26-20), I was at a stop, trying to merge into the traffic, when I put my foot on the gas to merge the car accelerated on it own to 56 miles an hour from the stop, I applied the brakes to slow down, but got pulled over for going 56 in a 35. That ticket is going to cost about $300.00 to $400.00, and I am very upset! Somebody has got to do something about this - it is very dangerous!!

- Deanna M., Manteca, CA, US

problem #7

Sep 152020

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 39,500 miles

I JUST sent in a 11k payment on my Altima which is only mine for 2.5 years. Approaching 40k miles. The car all of a sudden out of nowhere started jerking while accelerating from stops, stalling and or lack of power. I have scheduled an appointment but because of Covid demand is high and I'm 3 weeks out.

This is very dangerous, not being able to count on the car to move when pressing the gas is an issue of utmost importance, and I'm not about to replace the transmission at cost to me when I haven't even hit 40k miles yet.

I have driven this car 12k miles in the 2.5 years I owned it, this is unexpected and disastrous.

- Festus D., Portland, ME, US

problem #6

Dec 152020

Altima SL 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 93,875 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 2016 Nissan Altima's transmission started being hesitant when starting off at signal lights or from being fully stopped. Sorta felt like the cars floor mat was caught under the gas pedal to start with. Now the Altima will mostly move just a few feet when trying to accelerate from a stopped position, and then the RPM's will rev and the Altima will lurch forward. Totally scary think what will happen when your grandchild is in the Altima and you give it gas to go and it won't with another car moving toward you. NOT GOOD NISSAN!!! Family Safety Comes First!!! Nissan doesn't want to own up to the problem!!!!!!!!

- Tim F., Hartsville, US

problem #5

Jun 122020

Altima SV

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

This car jerks so bad I feel like trading it in although I really can't afford and don't want to purchase a new car.

- K Y R., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #4

Oct 042019

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 78,510 miles

Driving down the road and when I let my foot off of gas, car jerking very bad. Pull up to stop sign and then proceed to press gas to take off and car would not go. Car stalled on very sharp curve. Pulled over and cut car off and then cut it back and pressed gas and car took off but engine light came on. Took it to Nissan dealership and cvt transmission gone out and need new transmission. Waiting on extended warranty adjuster to come inspect car to make sure that dealership is correct with diagnosis.....and I was wanting to upgrade to 2020 Altima but not anymore...

- Felicia C., Fairmont, NC, US

problem #3

May 012019

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 70,000 miles

2016 Altima. I bought the car in 2018 used from Apple Subaru, who had the car "Apple Certified". I had no issues with the car until around May of this year, when I noticed that I would have little to no acceleration from a red light or stop sign. It would eventually start moving again, and I thought it may have been a one time issue. The problem continued and has now become incredibly annoying and dangerous. My mother in law was driving it the other day and she was making a left turn. Traffic was coming and she could barely make it through the intersection when the acceleration decided to kick in. Luckily she was not in an accident.

I had an appointment at Apple Nissan, who told me that there was an update that needed to be done to my CVT transmission. They did that, and then they ran the diagnostic again. It was then reported to the mechanic that my entire transmission would need to be replaced. 3800 dollars. I'm sure that's not with labor. This was after 125.00 for the diagnostic fee. Many of the employees there told me that they see this all the time and she gave me the number for Nissan corporate for consumer affairs. I spoke with a very nice gentleman who took all of my information and said I would have a response today about the situation. I told him that there was only 2 outcomes that would be acceptable. Put me in a different vehicle or replace my entire transmission at no cost to me. I will update this complaint when I hear back.

This vehicle is not safe to drive at this point, but I have no choice. I have a 40 mile commute and my wife needs her truck during the day. My youngest daughter will be turning 16 soon and the Altima is the car she was going to learn on, but that is definitely not happening now.

- James B., Felton, PA, US

problem #2

Jul 292019

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 74,000 miles

This car is only 3yrs old. My son just made his 2nd payment on this car and the transmission went. There needs to be a recall with NISSAN paying to fix this issue, pay the labor & rental expenses. Especially since I just read through the other complaints of the 2016 Nissan Altima. And I noticed Nissan has had recalls on other vehicles for the same problem!!!

- Missi P., Elmira, NY, US

problem #1

Apr 102019

Altima L 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,550 miles

My daughter purchased the Altima July, 2018 with 30,000 miles on the car. It is now nine months later and she is coming from work and stop at a light. When the light changes, she pressed the accessing go, the does not move. She then pressed hard and the car takes off fast. This is dangerous and hazardous TRANSMISSION problem at 60,000 miles. Now she has to make payments and pay $4,000.00 for a new TRANSMISSION. Some people are going to get killed because if you are in traffic on the interstate or any place driving and your car hesitate it will be an accident. Nissan is overlooking the problem and not having a recall on the TRANSMISSION. You have complaints about the same thing from other people. Some cars at 30,000 miles and 60,000 miles. One day someone will see that there is a problem with the TRANSMISSION. I will never buy a Nissan and NEVER recommend this DEADLY Brand to anyone. There are going to be deadly accidents from these vehicles.

- Ann B., Tucker, GA, US

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