2016 Nissan Altima: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

My 2016 Nissan Altima has approximately 68,900 miles. When I am stopped and press the gas pedal, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before it begins moving. It does not accelerate normally, which is dangerous when I am pulling into traffic, crossing an intersection, or making a turn. At other times while driving, the vehicle will not accelerate properly and appears to become stuck in a low gear. The engine RPM may rise to approximately 4,000, but the vehicle does not shift or increase speed normally. Turning the vehicle off and restarting it may temporarily make the problem go away, but it can happen again without warning. There is currently NO CHECK ENGINE light or other warning light that has ever come on. So I had the auto parts store attach an OBD-II scanner and the ONLY error code was P0776. This prompted me to research further and that is when I learned of the CVT issues with Nissan. Because the loss of acceleration and failure to shift are intermittent, I cannot predict when the vehicle will hesitate or fail to respond. I am concerned that I could be struck by another vehicle if this happens while entering traffic, crossing an intersection, or attempting to maintain speed.

Filed Aug 3, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

I am writing to formally request a recall for my 2016 Nissan Altima due to a known issue with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Recently, my vehicle has exhibited concerning symptoms, including an inability to exceed 20 mph while hitting 3 RPM, and significant hesitation when accelerating, followed by abrupt lunging. Notably, these issues occurred without any prior warning lamps or indicators until recently with the RPM issue. Despite taking my vehicle to Nissan for diagnostic scans, which cost approximately $600, no specific issues were identified. These problems have not been reproduced during dealer inspections or by law enforcement, yet they pose a significant safety risk to myself and others on the road. I would like to qualify for the free recall service to have this issue inspected and resolved by an authorized Nissan dealer. Please provide me with the necessary information to proceed with this request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Transmission · CA

As I was driving on the highway , I experienced loss of power, acceleration issues, slipping between gears, whining noise, hesitating, and jerking I had no warning signs no lights come on on my vehicle to notify me of any type of problems. This all happened when I was driving on the highway. My car went from driving perfectly normal to no longer working. I took my car to a mechanic they run a diagnostic. They also test drove in and inspected the car and said my transmission is failing and it needs to be replaced and that this has been a common issue in Nissan Altima between 80,000 and 100,000 miles

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Lights, Transmission · 140,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at 65–70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and briefly lost automotive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the stop lamp switch and wiring had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the contact stated that while driving up an incline at 60-70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and briefly lost automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

2016 Altima 66,700 miles At a light, when push the accelerator my car hesitates for about 4 seconds. Then it slowly gains power. This is an accident waiting to happen. 2016 Altima needs a recall. I see multiple complaints on the internet as well.

Filed Apr 28, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · FL

I’m starting to experience issues with the CTV transmission. I’m experiencing jerking and stalling while driving on a busy highway with cars traveling 55mph or more. It is extremely dangerous driving when these things occur when cars are traveling at those speeds and the vehicle hesitate without warning.

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

Car will not accelerate when depressing gas pedal. Will hesitate from 1 to 5 seconds. Example, driving on the freeway doing 60 mph changing lanes and lose acceleration. This happens at dead stop to 60 mph. MAJOR safety concerns. Brought my vehicle to Nissan dealership and the issue came back the next day. My vehicle is 2016 Nissan Altima

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Transmission · AL

Vehicle unexpectedly stalls WITHOUT illuminating brake lights! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAULTY CVT. (Potential causes to unexpected Collisions) It unexpectedly Shakes, hesitates while shifting, struggles to change gear, wont change gear, stalls, and makes noise such as whining and/or grinding. These problems happen WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. It also happens coming from a stop. Completely dangerous happen once to me crossing an intersection car dodged me preventing a MAJOR accident/collision. This is a KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL AND MANY OTHER NISSANS. NEED TO BE A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION ASAP. MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOT CONSUMER!! NOT a the weak manufacturer extended warranty from class action lawsuit. Nissan requires this $5k repair on these defective transmissions over 84k miles to be at owner expense. That repair cost extends well above what the average owner can immediately cover. Putting that owner/family and millions of others on highway/roads at risk of major accidents/collisions due to the unexpected failure of the transmission stalling, hesitating, shuddering, & distracting noises without brakes illuminating making cars around aware of an immediate unexpected speed decrease.

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a stop light, the vehicle began to hesitate without warning. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard as the hesitation continued before resuming normal operation. The contact also stated that the failure had continued while driving at various speeds without warning. The dealer was notified and offered no additional assistance with the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2022 · Acceleration · MT

The car hesitates accelerating. After coming to a complete stop, when the gas pedal is pressed, the car will not go. This happens after in town driving for about 20 min or so when it stops and goes, stops and goes. The gas pedal will be pressed and the rpms will be going up but the car just sits there until all of a sudden taking off. No warnings appear. I explained issues to service techs at Nissan and they were able to replicate it and attempted to repair but it is doing it again less than a month later. It has been very dangerous especially when trying to merge into oncoming traffic.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CA

My 2016 Altima is experiencing hesitation when accelerating, jerking and shuddering while driving. The RPMs go up but the car doesn't respond. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. The car doesn't respond as it should when entering traffic (feels like the transmission is slipping) which means I have to slow down while merging into traffic on the freeway rather than accelerate. It puts myself and passengers at risk as well as other drivers. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or dealer for this issue. This vehicle only has 33,000 miles on the car but the symptom's were apparent obvious around 25,000 miles.