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).

3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,620 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Nissan Altima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #19

Aug 222018

Altima 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was taken to kraft Nissan (3277 mahan dr, tallahassee, fl), but was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where they recommended that the continuously variable transmission sub assembly and valve be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not provided. Consumer stated had the transmission repaired, two days later power stering pump failed. Updated 11/20/18

- Midway, FL, USA

problem #18

Aug 122018

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
My 2016 transmission has an internal error. The car is 2 years old the transmission is defective. I have 90000 highway miles and it's out of warranty

- Le Roy, NY, USA

problem #17

Aug 212018

Altima

  • 36,900 miles
Rpms were jumping up during normal driving and even when the car was coasting. Eventually (about 30 minutes later while trying to make it to a safe stopping point) the car would not move forward or in reverse. This occurred while driving on hiwhay and on smaller roads (35 mph) also. When stopped at traffics light is when it wouldn't move. We were able to move it from the middle of the highway after about an hour of it sitting idol. Had it towed.

- Empire, AL, USA

problem #16

Aug 102018

Altima

  • 66,010 miles

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

I was driving on the freeway, as I approached the ramp, my car started moving slow. I press the accelerator to pick up speed, my car jerked a bit. As I proceed to exit the freeway it picked up speed. I arrive at the traffic signal, stopped, when the light changed, I had trouble with my car picking up speed. Previously experiencing this situation from an old Chevrolet vehicle I knew it was the transmission. I called my personal mechanic and explained what was going on with my car, and I think the transmission is going out. My mechanic explained my car is too new to have transmission issues, he asked I bring it to the shop. My mechanic is an honest mechanic if he is unable to repair your vehicle, he will not touch your vehicle. I brought my vehicle to my mechanic he drove my vehicle himself, return to the shop in 5 minutes, express to me, "take your car to Nissan right now! there must be a recall on the transmission your vehicle is too new for transmission issues." My 2016 Nissan Altima, I purchased ocober 15, 2016 started out with 22 miles, I put those 22 miles after test driving. Now at 66,048 miles, I am faced with transmission issues. I found no factory recall for the transmission. Nissan found two recalls, the transmission was not on the list. I am devastated I read Nissan's are the 3rd best vehicles. My Altima is a year and eight months old. Currently my Altima's transmission is getting repaired at a Nissan dealership.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #15

Aug 062018

Altima

  • 40,039 miles
My car only has 40,000 miles I bought it brand new at least they sold it new in July 2016 at serra Nissan in bormingham al. And now 2 years as of 2 mths ago 40,000 miles later. The repair shop here in chattanooga, tn informwd me that they had to take the whole transmission out and rebuild it, what? rebuild ut at 40000 miles, this is unreal. Please help. I nolonger have confidence in driving this vehicle. This car is covered still thank god under the powertrain warranty but having confidence in a rebuilt transmission at 40K mileage is unheard of.. basically I drove from tn to al came back car didnt hardly move after getting off freeway and stopping at a red light, it was disgusting and very frustrating. So I took it to the dealer Nissan East and. Mechanic guy by the name of mike called me and told me that they had to take the whole tranamission out and rebuild it. I have never heard of a car's transmission having to be rebuilt at 40000. I have owned plenty of new vehicles never ever experience this before. Look like Nissan is on my black list and confident in knowing that they produce vehicles with terrible transmissions and seemingly lemons. Contwmplating seeking legal representation regarding this matter.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #14

Aug 112018

Altima

  • 53,000 miles
I was driving the car pulled up at stop light when light turned green I press the gas call would not get power until a few second the car would jerk an shift while driving was almost hit from the rear by another car due to this issue took it to autozone code read P0841 something with transmission I just got the car rarely drive it it has 53,909 miles an now it's in the shop hoping I don't have to pay for this

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #13

Apr 012016

Altima

  • 64,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. While driving 40 mph, the speed decreased to less than 20 mph and the transmission hesitated. In addition, the RPM gauge raced each time the failure occurred. The dealer (leckner Nissan of springfield, 6570 amherst ave, springfield, va 22150, (703) 451-1970) indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer advised that the dealer diagnose and replace the transmission. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #12

Jun 192018

Altima

  • 61,000 miles
I was driving on the highway at about 80 mph when my RPM started to go up and down in a way that I'd never seen. Immediately following that, my check engine light came on. I took my car to advance auto parts to see what was wrong and it read, 'P0841 transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch a circuit range/performance'. I took my car to my local Nissan dealer and told them what was wrong with my car, and right away without looking under the hood of my car they said that I needed a new transmission which would cost me $4,000. I thought maybe I needed to replace the transmission fluid pressure sensor, so I called around looking for the part and every shop told me to call Nissan.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #11

Jun 292018

Altima

  • 47,000 miles
While driving I felt a slight stutter or jerking of the vehicle. I noticed that as I depressed the accelerator, speed did not increase. The car would slowly move forward then all of a sudden the car stalled. No lights illuminated on the dash to indicate a problem and I had the oil changed at a Nissan dealership two days prior. I called the dealership to find out if there were any similar issues reported and I was told I would have to bring the car in. I called the services of my extended warranty and reported the issue.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #10

May 272017

Altima

  • miles
Car was unable to switch gears when in stop and go traffice conditions.jerky acceleration during this situation.engine reeves up when giving gas.I had to turn the car off in order to get out of this mode.took it to the dealer and the dealer got code P0776. They told me it has transmission problem and they are going to put rebuilt transmission.this happened frequently after buying the car.this problem never triggered check engine light until recently.took to the dealer on 05-28-2018.

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #9

May 242018

Altima

  • 64,500 miles

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

While driving on highway the car slowed to approx. 40 mph, while RPM's remained high. This is the third time it happened. Seems like transmission is slipping. Pull over shut vehicle off and problem goes away. No check engine light or anything. Had it to shop each time and dealer unable to duplicate. This will be third time in shop for same issue

- Townsend, DE, USA

problem #8

Apr 242018

Altima

  • 60,750 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to bill seidle's Nissan (10500 nw 12th St, miami, fl 33172) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that nothing could be done to assist. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 60,750.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 182018

Altima

  • 32,000 miles
While already in motion the vehicle accelerated extremely slowly once again as I have reported on this website before, but this time it was more dangerous because as I was merging onto the freeway, I was pressing on the accelerator and when the RPM got to 2000, it stopped and the vehicle was accelerating extremely slow. There was a 18 wheel truck approaching me fast from behind, but I could not get any speed. Luckily he swerved on to the next lane and passed me. The RPM meter stopped at 2000 and it took 22 seconds to get from 60 mph to 75mph as the video shows. It happened several more times during this drive and I was able to record each instance panning from the gauge display to the accelerator showing I am pressing it all the way down and the vehicle doesn't respond. I took the vehicle to Nissan and when I showed the video to the service representative, he immediately tried to blame the issue on my floor mats. He said that it appears the floor mats were preventing the accelerator from going down thus causing the vehicle to not gain speed. However I explained to him that that is not the case as the floor mat was not touching the accelerator at all. You can clearly see my foot pressing it down all the way without any interference from the mat. In addition, if the floor mat was preventing the accelerator from being pushed all the way down as he claims, how is it possible for the vehicle to continue to gain speed, all be it extremely slow? that right there proves his theory wrong because if the accelerator was indeed stopped by the mat, then the mph as well as the RPM would maintain at the same rate. I also reminded him that this happened on a local street when I was only going 35 mph and the accelerator would have been no where near the floor board. Nissan advised me they were able to duplicate the issue and are contacting Nissan tech support for direction

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 302018

Altima 4-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
For the second time while in the middle of driving, this time on the freeway, the car would not accelerate when the gas pedal was pressed. I pressed it all the way down and the RPM would not go up and the car was slowing down. It happened before on a local street with the same scenario. On the freeway I was at 70 mph when it happened and on the local street I was at 35 mph. It started accelerating after I had to let the car cruise for about ten seconds as it was losing speed. Also I am now having to take the car in to service for the 5th time because the reverse back up camera will not work. The camera goes black and nothing is visible. Nissan tried to say it was because of my phone connected to bluetooth in the car and to try it without a phone connected. I did and it still happened. I recorded a video of the incident again but if I can't have a phone connected to blue tooth to be hands free, then I am violating the law. I can't see behind me which is very troublesome when it is foggy outside and can't see very well out the windows. I have provided to images. One showing no bluetooth device connected and the other with the black reverse camera.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 042017

Altima

  • 3,000 miles
Purchased 4/2017 brand new. July 1st, notice the airbag sensor light is on on the instrument panel, take it in; they replace a sensor, didn't fix, replace another sensor, light goes off. In August, the vehicle again has the light on, take it back to dealer; they replace the first sensor (the one that wan't bad) and the light goes off. However I am told that the tech thought it may be a wiring harness issue; "lets see if this corrects it"; since the airbag won't deploy if the sensor is bad!! December 19th; driving in a snowstorm, the light comes on again. Since it's a safety issue to drive it as without the sensor; the airbag will not deploy. So here we are third time to go out; and it seems like wiring shoudl have been looked at first.

- Lakeview, OR, USA

problem #4

Jun 152017

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
My transmission stopped working while I was driving first in the city and it continued to when I went on the highway to the point I had no power and the when I pressed the gas nothing would happen. I had to have the computer in the transmission replaced and the car still idles as if it will cut off at any moment. That was at 40K and I just had to replace the O2 sensor at 60K

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #3

Sep 272017

Altima

  • 40,076 miles
My transmission is constantly kicking back at me, this morning 2017-09-27 my transmission completely gave out. Reving is to 5-6 RPM not being able to exceed 10 mph. The drivers side curtain airbag keeps tripping my airbags to deactivate. Have to had the code reset several times. The back up camera looks like it is loosing signal even though it is hard wired, the lane sensor warnings fail, failing to inform of a vehicle in your blind spot. The key fob continuously says key invailed dashboard.

- Adams Center, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 312017

Altima

  • 1,500 miles
I was driving on Florida turnpike South and out of no where I hear a big boom noise. My car started over heating and I noticed my engine light has come onto the dashboard. Once I pulled over on side of turnpike, I notice sticking out of my front bumper a big piece of metal.

- North Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #1

May 052016

Altima

  • 2,000 miles
The front passenger air bag off light continues to come on with passengers in the seat at various speeds. Nissan has attempted to correct this issue at least four times without success. There is also an noticeable vibration in or near the drive train when ever engine is operating at or near 1750 RPM that also has not been eliminated.

- State College, PA, USA

Not what you are looking for?