2016 Nissan Maxima Powertrain & Transmission Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was shifted into neutral, and the RPMs revved up. The vehicle failed to move forward and shut off unintendedly. Several hours later, the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was shaking abnormally while driving, with an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while the brake pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Auto Zone, where it was determined that the failure was a CVT failure. The contact called the local dealer, and a diagnostic test was advised. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

I had been trying to get the transmission changed on several occasions but was unsuccessful and was told to wait until 100,000 miles. So, I complied to suggestion. On 7/3/25 for a scheduled oil and transmission service, it was told that the transmission was throwing a P17F1 code and it would be best no to do anything with the transmission. So, at this point with no knowledge of what the code meant I refused the fluid change until I could get the understanding of what was happening. Researched code finding that this is a common problem that affect this make and model for this brand of vehicle. It's the means of transportation I have. How should I proceed?

This is third time this has happened. I already filled out one, but they have already replaced my altenator. My car worked fine for about a month, and then it did the same thing where I can't excelarate and the car limps at 1 MPH till it eventually shuts off and will not start up. If you jump the car it will work again, but not for long until it does the same thing. On the Nissan Forums alot of people are talking about this same issue, but nothing is being done and the only fix is to find an OEM altenator, but Nissan doesn't make one anymore. This is really starting to become a huge problem.

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Alpine Nissan of Denver (2400 W 104th Ave, Denver, CO 80234) where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had stopped routing electricity after overheating. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced and related to failure to Technical Service Bulletin: NTB17-039P (Transmission Judder); which was related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,800.

Alternator loses power and car doesn’t accelerate. Vehicle shuts down and will not start after. When running diagnostics after everything shows fine and after a jump car works again and reads fine. Happens again after driving for 40+ mins

I recently purchased this vehicle from HHGreg in Tampa, Fl in May 2023. We found out it was associated with a recall regarding the brakes within 60days of having the vehicle, which Brandon Nissan took care of. My car only has 40,000 miles on it now. We bought it with only having 36,000 miles on it. Therefore, we've only driven it 4k miles. However, for the last 3 months, this car will literally shut off while driving, mainly when taking a turn. Which, as you can imagine is extremely unsafe, especially in the middle of a main intersection, which has now happened to me three times. We have had 3 mechanics look at the car, including someone from Brandon Nissan, and no one is able to figure out why the car keeps losing power. When you run a diagnostic on it, all the codes come back as passing. After sitting for a day or so, it will start back up, maybe run 24-72hrs, then it will completely power down again. The car has a brand new battery in it. The alternator is giving out the correct voltage. But something in the charging system and or electrical system is not working. There has to be a shortage or a defect in this models engine. A vehicle with this low of mileage is basically brand new and should NOT have these issues! I am paying for a car I can't even use or rely on. Very frustrated. This will be the last time I ever purchase a Nissan Vehicle.

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle started jerking. The contact pulled over and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the crank shaft was replaced. On another occasion while at a stop light, the contact became aware of smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. While driving back to the residence, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,406.

My 2016 nissan maxima has 59000 miles and im having problems with the cvt transmission juddering when pressing gas slowly hesitating to change gears ive seen articles about nissan vehicles having the same issue i guess a death needs to happen so it can be on recall what ashame

Vehicle intermittently jerks upon acceleration and has become excessive. RPMs drop and surge which cause a lack in power. Vehicle was taken to my personal mechanic who diagnosed it as a software issue with the CVT transmission and I was told I needed to take it directly to a Nissan Dealer. My mechanic informed me that Nissans have had several issues with the transmission. After further research I found an abundance of complaints from other consumers under lemon law that they experienced the same issue and some experienced stalling related to the CVT transmission.The dealer also informed me that the nissan does have known transmission issues but it is not currently considered a recall. I am requesting that this matter be looked into as a recall. My concern is that if the vehicle stalls on me in the middle of traffic that my safety and my family’s safety could be endangered.

Vehicle has acceleration issues. Started June 2022 and has continued frequently since. Will randomly stop accelerating then if I try to let off the gas pedal and apply again it shudders so hard it shakes the car. After trying 3-4 times it will accelerate again. The RPM will shoot down to 1 and straight back up to 1.5-2. Maintenance shop has been unable to figure out what’s wrong but it seems many 2016 Maxima owners are having similar issues. Why has there not been a recall to fix this issue? It becomes a serious danger when driving on highways or at high speeds. Someone’s going to get hurt because if this!

What component or system failed or malfunctioned etc. -The Nissan CVT transmission that is used in all Nissan models and has a known history of premature failure. My 2016 Maxima has 48,000 miles and a completely failed transmission. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -My two kids were in the car with all three times the accelerator stopped working while in motion due to the CVT transmission. All happened in Chicago city traffic. Luckily I was able to coast into a safe position each time but I was lucky not to get stuck in the middle of intersection. -Incident order was the same each time. Accelerator would stop working while in the drive gear. After a minute in park the car would seemingly work again, only for the accelerator to fail again shortly thereafter. Then eventually the electrical system shorted due to the transmission and the car was completely locked up, to the point of not being able to shift into neutral or move the steering wheel. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -The problem has been confirmed via Nissan's settlement of lawsuits relate to the CVT transmission, yet they continue to put them in all new models. My car was inspected by an independent transmission shop and they confirmed the engine computer is producing the "kill code" meaning the transmission is failing. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -I took it to a Nissan dealership for service (Berman Nissan in Chicago) and described exactly the same problems I later found via research about the CVT transmissions. Their service techs said I needed to replace the alternator, which made zero sense so I declined. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -No warning lamps, only infrequent acceleration problems in the months prior

Problem 1. Airbag. Driver's side airbag prematurely failed in 2021. Dealer says requires replacement of driver's seat back at $5K Problem 2. Transmission failed prematurely (77,000 miles) after placing me in multiple dangerous traffic situations. The car would fail to accelerate and eventually stall while I was turning or simply driving. Once it failed to accelerate when I was turning and I was almost struck by oncoming traffic! It was only the grace of God that saved me.

It is random when it happens but this will be the third time this has happened. While driving my car will stop, the car will still be running, steering wheel is stiff and I’m not able to accelerate and sometimes brake. It is very dangerous! This car should have a recall!

The headlights are dim. I have replaced them with brighter H11 bulbs but I still cannot see. Others who have driven my car have indicated that the headlights are noticeably dimmer than normal. I literally cannot see the roadway. Also, I started having problems with the CVT shortly before 60,000miles. The problem was diagnosed as rudder codes. I was not financially able to replace the CVT at the time although I did ultimately replace it. The headliner inside the car has been falling down for years and I keep re gluing it around the rear view window. The panoramic sunroof has a seal that is melting away on the two side panels at the rear of the car. I keep trying to seal them, but they keep getting sticky and melting towards total deterioration.

The vehicle does not accelerate and it jerks, whines and cuts off. the repair shop mechanic said he would not touch it without new transmission. the engine light is on, sometimes it blinks but not 100% of the time. It also won't get any power and cuts off on incline.

My 2016 Maxima SL has a faulty CVT transmission. It shakes, stutters and has no power on acceleration. It is a safety concern because I could easily pull out into traffic and my car will not accelerate. The problem has been confirmed by a Nissan dealership. It has been inspected. There are no warning lights or any dashboard indications that something is faulty.

2016 Nissan Maxima SR, problem started at 22000 miles, car runs fine, then when hitting a bump or railroad tracks, and sometime while accelerating at a light or from a stop the car goes into limp mode, max speed is apx 6 mph just enough to get it off road, at times it stalls in the intersection or when you come to a stop. Traction control light and engine light come on until you shut car down and restart. engine light remains on solid but can be driven in most cases, at times it turns over then stalls, if you wait long enough it usually resets snd is drivable. Has several DTC codes when checked on of them is P1735 and a few others. It’s dangerous because you lose the ability to get properly through an intersection or to get by traffic on highway or side street, I have put my emergency lights on several times when this has happened. After reviewing TSB’s Technical Service Bullatans it seems I am not alone with this issue.

Four times while I was driving the accelerator was unresponsive. Then the car completely died while driving. The problem is definitely a safety issue due to engine and accelerator stopping while driving. We took it to a good year dealer who originally thought it was battery and replaced it. But that did not solve the problem. Then a Nissan dealer received a code that it’s the cvt transmission.Nissan has had this issue with many of their cars and had a class action suit brought against them. I spoke with Nissan Corp about extending warranty and repairing the cvt transmission which is an expensive repair. They refuse. The car is extremely unsafe to drive since it may not accelerate and then completely die at any time.

05/21/21--2016 Nissan Maxima with CVT tranmissions problems. No current recalls, but lots of lemon law cases from 2012-2018 with all models except the maxima. Have 94K on it and was driving and it stopped mid street almost threw my son out the front windshield. Took it to Nissan $4800 to replace. Bought vehicle with CVT transmission being sold as "smoothness". but in reality it has been a complete nightmare that Nissan ignores on the maximas.

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated a warning message was illuminated to keep the key fob close to the push to start button. The contact called the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the key fob battery to be replaced. The key fob battery was changed but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was also stalling. The contact took the vehicle to Paul Miller Nissan (930 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, CT 06825: (203) 335-3181) where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission and the crankshaft sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.