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Chart based on 139 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2016 Nissan Altima 4dr Sedan
270-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable CVT FWD
67000 mi
Code came up for cvt transmission judder. Car under warranty. Apon picking up vehicle, you can now hear noise from what could be the transmission. Noise gets louder the faster you drive. Noise appears to be coming from driver side underneath the steering wheel. Car seems to run a bit rough now.
Took vehicle in for diagnosis of low frequency rumble that had recently started happening. Noise occurs at moderate speeds, 1200-1500 RPMs. Was told this is a characteristic of the CVT design. No repair or change made.
Reprogram CVT transmission to avoid possible low pressure pump problem that could damage cvt
36000 mi
Computer adjustment to eliminate pogentian problem
12000 mi
Altima went into limp mode. I got it to a dealer after hours. Dealer processed the car in the morning & called me a few hours later to tell me transmission was shot & new Trans will be installed next day. Next day car was ready afternoon.
CVT Transmission shuddering during acceleration, typically at 18-24 MPH and light acceleration. Transmission was replaced with rebuilt transmission under warranty. Issue re-occurred after pickup of repaired vehicle.
6000 mi
CVT had shudder under light acceleration was inconsistent and difficult for dealer to verify. After three trips the dealer identified the problem and replaced the CVT. About two weeks later the problem began occurring with the new tranny.
10000 mi
CVT has shudder under light throttle. Transmission was replaced. Problem was not corrected after new transmission installed.
Tranmission failed. It required a new (rebuilt) transmission. The work was covered under warranty.
32000 mi
Transmission shuttered and stumbled. Replaced transmission.
7600 mi
US $8000
Transmission replaced
21000 mi
It was slipping from the third day purchased. Finally had a dealership care about my issue, needed a new transmission. Well after this I found out the car was resold back to Nissan from a guy in New Jersey he had 6 installed.
12000 mi
Transmission is shuddering upon slow acceleration; also jolts randomly while stopped
14000 mi
Transmission is shuddering upon slow acceleration; also jolts randomly while stopped. 3rd time in for this repair
16000 mi
Transmission is shuddering upon slow acceleration; also jolts randomly while stopped. 4th time in for this repair. CVT replaced.
17000 mi
Transmission was replaced; still judders when slowly accelerating. Dealer unable to replicate this time. Still unresolved (5th repair attempt) 2nd transmission still experiencing violent shudders. 3rd transmission ordered and installed
17000 mi
3rd transmission still experiencing shudders and lags, bought back by Nissan under lemon law.
1350 mi
They test drove the car and we were told this was a known problem with the V6 Altima and it is being investigated. We have since contacted Nissan customer support as the issue is still being investigated. We have asked to have the car rela.
2000 mi
Transmission would jerk like it was slipping and shake the car
49000 mi
Transmission Switch problem where the gear would get stuck in park. Dealer replaced switch under warranty.
6000 mi
Transmission would viberate at 1500 to 1800 RPM. They replaced the torque converter and seems to be OK now.
20000 mi
4 transmissions in a 2 year span. Trans would start out surging then stop totally
Stalling at 1500 RPM's and shaking of the exhaust. Turned out to be a transmission firmware update. The question i have is had i not payed attention to this, it would never have been fixed.
12000 mi
Transmission not smooth after ecm update
58000 mi
The infamous issue. Started as the car stalling at a stop. 3 trips to the dealer and a few no problem found...but they did update the tracking software. Bucking vibrating until a final trip...the transmission.
3000 mi
Transmission failed with less than 3000 miles. Problem surfaced within 1000 miles. Tried to get a replacement car. Don't want a reconditioned car.
14000 mi
Transmission computer reprogram. Did not notice issue but was notified by the dealer to bring in and reset at earliest convenience.
6000 mi
There are hoorible vibrations and grinding noises when under load at 1,200-1,800 RPM's, also when you are decelerating from 45 mph(coasting).
8700 mi
slipping from reverse to drive
160000 mi
US $3000
replaced transmission
65000 mi
US $110
CVT transmission upshifts too quickly resulting in low power and shuddering with vibration and noise. No codes displayed - dealer suggested $1000 for parts replacement that "may help" - no guarantees.
67300 mi
US $878
Transmission upshifts too quickly, vibrates strongly below 2000 RPM and jerks. Transmission judged to be good by dealership and there are no pending software updates. Fluid was flushed and filled.
Transmission failed for the second time. The first time it went out was 17000 miles. Second time was 53000 miles. This cvt transmission is a piece of junk. Do not buy.
Front passenger wheel hub then hanger bearing replaced, droning noise, problem persist, likely due to transmission. Possible transmission failure. Car gotten rid of.
26000 mi
US $350
The Cvt make a hesitation at acceleration and also a windy noise coming from the transmission. Took in to Nissan Dealership to get look at. They said it was normal. TSB done, going to change out torque rods.
51000 mi
My CVT transmission was replace because of jerky feeling and a slipping feeling had. The dealership notice it right away, they check for codes, No codes where found. Good thing I still had Warranty on the Drivetrain till 60,000 miles.
125000 mi
Car shuddered on initial start from a complete stop. Fluid change corrected the issue. Apparently the previous owner did not change the fluid when recommended.
36500 mi
Check engine light. Dealer said transmission was faulty and needed to be changed.
105000 mi
US $410
Right front CV joint was leaking. Replaced.
29000 mi
The CVT transmission generates a lot of vibration in low speed when rpm is between 1400 - 2000, did the bulletin which postpone the torque converter lock to a later time. MPG may go down up to 4 miles/gallon.
Heavily modified suspension (Read: Lowered-Slammed) required a CV Axle boot replaced. So i removed the axle myself and had a shop remake the inner boot.
CVT failed. A very expensive repair was covered under the extended warranty (120,000 miles/10 years) which Nissan offered after they learned of this problem. Pretty happy right now with Nissan and my Altima.
40000 mi
Took in for noise coming from front of car. Dealer said I needed a new transmission but they are on back order. New Transmission installed three weeks later. dealer supplied rental free of charge.
148000 mi
US $896
Ujoint had to be replaced
61000 mi
US $300
Had TSB performed and computer updated to fix stuttering/jerking CVT issue with torque rod kit. Not covered by warranty.
15000 mi
lack of power and poor gas mileage fixed without problem. transmission was repaired.
26000 mi
vehicle would lose power when passing
65700 mi
I took the car in for a funny noise. New transmission.
156000 mi
US $85
Replaced drive axle due to torn CV boot
120600 mi
US $2000
broken transmission, replaced with a used one.
12000 mi
Performed two TSBs for surge/hesitation: NTB10-150 and NTB10-121A. First replaced transmission control vale assembly, second included a torque rod service kit. Helped, but not sure it was a 100 percent fix.
Cracked boot on drive shaft. Had to replace drive shaft - covered under Extended Gold Plus warranty.
41520 mi
$200
CVT began whinning while in a long (approx. 120 km) slope up at around 35°C. Had the dealer diagnose the CVT, came up that everything was fine and that oil needed to be replaced. Replaced CVT oil (not included in maintenance manual).
Clutch was slipping when hot due to hydraulic system problem (either master cylinder, or improper bleeding at factory). First replaced the clutch itself, but that didn't solve the problem. Fixed by replacing the master cylinder.
Fixed loose cotter pin on right CV axle, causing clicking noises
105000 mi
Repaired under warranty for CVT Transmission issue. The issue was that my car would not accelerate past 40 mph. After a few days I was driving at 20 mph and heard a loud sound and my car came to a stop and would not accelerate or move in reverse.
US $3892
Transmission went out completely on freeway at 80 mph, no warning lights, no indication of problem at last service.
Dealer replaced bad front driver side wheel bearing under powertrain warranty.
91000 mi
Noise from transmission at all speeds both w/ throttle and while coasting. Diagnosis was Spun bearings in CVT. Replaced under Nissan's extended 10yr/120k CVT warranty. Quoted 5 days, took 2. Loaner provided.
6000 mi
US $50
The car is a lemon, have experienced 4 serious driveline failures. Worst car I have ever owned.
160000 mi
US $4216
CVT imploded, needed full replacement.
142600 mi
Transmission died
35000 mi
US $5500
CVT transmission started self-destructing on vacation--noise while accelerating
120000 mi
US $2200
Service Engine Soon light came on when mileage was 2500 miles over extended warranty (120K). Valve body assembly and torque converter needed to be replaced, and fluid was changed.
A $35 clutch throw out bearing failed and it was 17 hours deep into the transaxle. While inside, the mechanic replaced the dual mass flywheel, clutch plate and disk.
1. sticky shifter. They did not fix because they all do it. I took it home and fixed it myself.
3000 mi
Vehicle went in to have the rear speaker looked at becasue it was buzzing. The cone apparently separated and a new one was ordered. In the mean time, the right front cv joint started making noise and a new axle was ordered and installed.
54900 mi
US $280
Replaced left front rubber axle boot.
61000 mi
The CVT Transmission started to not engage when you would give it power. Took it in and found out the transmission had a major malfunction and needed replacement. Received a free loaner and had the car back in a couple days.
191000 mi
US $400
Replace axle
120000 mi
2nd time replacing transmission (1st around 50k miles). Same early symptoms that happened before my transmission failed the 1st time: humming at 3000+ rpms, slight loss of power on hills as if transmission was slipping. Replaced by warranty.
Passenger side front axle seal found to be "seaping". Parts replaced.
15000 mi
Relaced transmission for vibration
6000 mi
previously attempted oil leak repairs did not resolve defect.this dealer visit resulted in the replacement of the crankshaft seal located behind the harmonic balancer pulley.dealer assures me that the leak was difficult to isolate but they are certain tha
The CVT transmission had a catastrophic failure. It was replaced with under 1k miles on the car. At the first visit, they just cleared the CEL and said it was fine, although when the CEL came on the car lost power and couldn't even climb a hill... The trip reported in April was followed by a trip two days later, in which they had the car for 5 business days to replace the transmission. It was 'successful' the second time, as it took a few months for the new transmission to fail again.
4900 mi
Total transmission failure. Nissan techs basically won't do any service on the CVT. If it breaks, they try the control module, if that doesn't work, they replace the transmission. This will be the third transmission in the car in under 5k miles. Another catastrophic CVT failure, this time 3 hours from home in searing summer heat. If this is another transmission replacement this early on (the car has only had one oil change!) the car is done for and will be 'returned' for a Mazda6 or something th
60760 mi
transmission replace under warrenty
100000 mi
Performed diagnosis and transmission replacement per Nissan Technical Service Bulletin. This trip was a follow-up to the transmission replacement per Nissan TSB. Vehicle exhibited noise and transmission slipping under acceleration. Dealer reported one drive axle was not properly seated in the trans output mechanism.
CVT failed with P0710 Temperature Sensor Circuit, P0826, Manual Mode Switch Circuit and P0841, Trans Fluid Pressure Sensor. Dealer advised replacement of CVT assembly per service bulletin NTB09-044a and Altima sedan with QR25DE engine.
7000 mi
I had a transmission cooling line crack. It was replaced along with 1 quart of fluid.
49000 mi
US $1275
R&R replace faulty axle. Also replaced damaged splash guards. Spent another $600 on tires.
76844 mi
Replaced the CVT under warranty (10 year / 100,000 mile CVT warranty). The transmission was making a growling noise, most noticeable at low speeds and when coasting to a stop.
90000 mi
We received a notification in the mail that our car had been recalled because the transmission had an issue.
112000 mi
CVT transmission was replaced, it was making a growling noise, similar to a dry speedometer cable. the sound varied with the speed of the vehicle.
RIght driveshaft seal was throwing grease onto accessory belt. Replaced driveshaft, transmission seal, accessory belt.
27000 mi
Clutch began squeaking intermittently, then became constant when depressed. Dealer found faulty clutch assembly at the firewall, and was repaired under warranty.
29000 mi
The clutch pedal started to "squeak", similarly to the previous issue that was addressed. The dealer found that again, the pedal assembly was at fault, and the entire assembly was replaced.
Cold start, drive for 4-8 miles. Stop briefly and turn car off (To go into a store), restart, will not shift into fourth (overdrive) for half mile.
22000 mi
Cold start, drive for 4-8 miles. Stop briefly and turn car off (To go into a store), restart, will not shift into fourth (overdrive) for half mile. Transmission replaced due to metal contaminents in trans oil. Problem still exists.
35340 mi
C $950
Road noise was increasing over time. Car still driving OK, but noise was getting worrisome. Turned out to be a defective front wheel bearing, replaced under warranty.
Transmission does not shift correctly, or intermittently shift correctly. Other than shifting car is working great. I fill they didn't correct the shifting problem maybe repaired ...
31000 mi
Transmission was replaced in Altima with a 2k mileage transmission from salvage yard.
46000 mi
US $141
axle leaking (under factory warranty) cpu update-factory recall
56000 mi
US $420
leaking oil seal on transmission, cracked steering belt plus usual oil change, filter etc
119000 mi
Suspected broken axle.
147000 mi
US $1700
Car delayed getting into gear. Transmission fluid was flushed/replaced.
234000 mi
US $2000
Transmission rebuilt due to oil leaks.
103000 mi
US $312
P0745 - bad solenoid in transmission, faulty wiring. Drop trany pan, clean, replace 1-2 solenoid and repair faulty wiring. Info attached to a TSB, found out with check engine light coming on.
Hard shift between 1 and second gear. Did drain and refill. worked for a few weeks. Mechanic then recommended Lucas Transmission fix 1 pt. Helped and is much better, but starting to come back as of late Jan.
156000 mi
US $209
hard 1st to 2nd shift Lucus Transmission stuff helped will do again in 5K
199000 mi
noise from front of car while accelerating. Replaced both cv axles.
Engine failure due to Nissan defect!! Nissan refuses to warranty like many other other claims! From 02-05 Nissan customers replaced over 60,000 2.5 L motors in these cars and majority was out of customers pocket!!! NO MORE NISSANS!!!! Motor went out again Nissan told me they could not garantee me it wouldn't do it again. Nearly caused a catastrophe!! Department of Highway Safety needs to look into this problem and do something about it!!
131000 mi
US $799
Check engine light came on, first shift was "hard." According to dealer, new ECU (installed previous week) allowed existing problem with the transmission solenoid to surface, which required the replacement of the transmission solenoid.
140000 mi
US $900
Problems with transmission - hard shift. Dealer could not figure it out, had to take it to transmission specialist. Turned out to be a bad wire in wiring harness -- was bypassed.
Low pressure in clutch pedal on occasion, engages close to the floor, no slippage felt. Hard to put in gear one cold morning. Dealer diagnosis was clutch replacement needed. Decided to get other opinion. I suspect hydraulic system problem.
83000 mi
US $260
I had low pressure in the clutch pedal. I first flushed clutch fluid and then I had to replace clutch master cylinder. Clutch problem seems fixed.
driver side CV axle shaft torn. Dealer wanted $700 for axle (had to come from japan) and 3hrs labor.
Found axle replacement from junkyard, no auto parts store had one. swapped it myself.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently Nissan Altima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.