2016 Nissan Altima: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 Feb 6, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MT

After the car warms up it will not accelerate like it should. I was stopped at a light - when I went to turn left at the light my car would not accelerate. It slowly rolled out into oncoming traffic. Like it was in limp mode or something. Then at the last minute the car jolted forward like I had the gas pedal fully depressed. Very scary and unsafe. I’ve had this happen many times. I’ve taken it in but haven’t found a solution.

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · WI

Car just randomly “ gave “ out . I couldn’t accelerate in the middle of intestate traffic !! The engine and the transmission blew at the same time. No warning , no check engine light ! Up to date on oil changes and other maintenance. Car only has 150k miles on it , no way this both happens at the same time. Complete limp mode. Danger to myself and most importantly my kids. How the engine and transmission just fails. Now I’m liable to pay 9,000, no warning no nothing. Complete failure . This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of this year make and model having transmission and engine issues. How terrible!

Filed May 7, 2023 · Transmission · CA

My wife's car started having problems with acceleration lately. At a stop the car would sometimes have problem accelerating and I would have to tap on the gas pedal a few times. If that doesn't work, I would have to keep on pressing the gas pedal without releasing it. The rpm will sometimes not go up then suddenly it revs to 4k even 5k. The car would go on limp mode or not even go forward when I'm revving the car. It happened both on highway and city streets. I was almost hit by a truck on the freeway. This is very dangerous. I did some research and found that many owners have the same problem. There is even a lawsuit I found on the internet pertaining to the same issue. No one wants to spend the time and money to fix a transmission problem especially if it's a problem from Nissan itself and not because of negligent owners not taking proper care of their cars. It costs about $3500 to $4000 to replace a transmission! Please investigate and put a recall for the transmission for the Nissan Altima. All owners who have spent money and time should be reimbursed!

Filed Nov 25, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WA

I only had my vehicle(2016NissanAltima) for less than 2 weeks before the vehicles major problems started. The engine consistently Stalls, Surges and Shudders. As well as the Shifter locking itself to where it wont shift out of park. There are no and have never been any warning lights to alert me. The CVT and the Computer are very faulty. To the point the vehicle is now a Death Trap. When driving the car the RPM will randomly accelerate and I have no way to control the vehicle and then vehicle will go into "Limp Mode" consistently and won't go any faster or slower than the speed the car chooses to do. I don't trust anything of what it says on the dashboard as far as Gas amount, Odometer, MILWarnings, Speed or otherwise. If there are no warnings from the car to alert me with, then that is a major issue with the car and is not mechanically sound and very dangerous for me and other drivers on the road. I have had to make the car sit the majority of the short time I have had it. Because I simply won't drive very far because of the dangers it puts me in everytime I have drove it. I have had to spend my money on transportation to and from work instead of making my first car payment. At this point I want to just Opt-out with the vehicle entirely and give it back to the dealership. This car is just unsafe and should not have been sold in the condition it is in. I only got to drive the vehicle 10 days or so before major issues started with the vehicle. I have not a clue what the details of what is wrong with the car. The only warning signal I do see now, is the MIL and that is not even mentioned in the option menu of the car settings etc. This car needs to be re-manufactured so that it can become a safe running vehicle. I don't have the money that it will take to fix the car. It's far too expensive for me or any hard working citizen to ever afford. I don't advise anyone to own a vehicle of this kind.

Filed Jun 30, 2022 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where the transmission was replaced. However, the failure reoccurred two years later. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the RPM revved up however, the vehicle lost motive power and started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle remained stuck in first gear. The contact was able to drive to her residence at a slower speed while still experiencing the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under warranty due to the mileage. The contact referenced Nissan Technical Service Number: 15-084A. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2020 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · PA

Does not shift properly, after driving for long periods of time the vehicle will not accelerate, it bucks when it down shifts, makes clicking noises randomly. The vehicle does not move after idling after long periods of usage. (the fuel delivery is messed up). This happens when you are at different speeds. You can be at a complete stop and go to accelerate but have your pedal all the way to the floor and nothing happens. Then at 60 MPH on a highway the vehicle will all of a sudden just all of a sudden buck when you go to pass some one.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 40 miles · TX

Check engine light came on twice within 3 months of using this car. And it was one of the severe types of illness the car has, if not fixed I could've been stuck on a remote area with no phone reception, which where I live by the way. The car had a slow acceleration, when I stopped on a stop light/sign. Had that fixed on december right before christmas week, but engine light came on again after 2 weeks of driving it, car won't shift gears again, slow acceleration, probably has something to do with its transmission etc.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · KY

Stopped and when pulling out lost power and while driving lost power and RPM went really high it was like the transmission wouldn't shift turned vehicle off then was able to drive has done this several times within a week

Filed Oct 4, 2019 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · OH

Car started to lurch and whine while driving at any speed. Two weeks later it got worse and started to lose power or fail to accelerate while driving. Now vehicle will not go into gear most times. When it does it fails to move forward or backward, while pressing the gas pedal. Mechanic informed me that the transmission is slipping and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · NC

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. Check engine light, transmission failed at 60 MPH, lacked forward power. Transmission did not shift properly vehicle unsafe due to lack of motive power taken to advance auto for diagnostic. Pressure sensor switch transmission needed to be replaced. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of the diagnostic code: p0841 (electronic pressure control solenoid sensor). The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $4,000 parts and labor. The vehicle was not repaired. Nissan of elizabeth city located at 1712 n road st, elizabeth city, nc 27909, (252) 338-5161 was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Piir=y. Ah

Filed May 8, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

Cvt transmission slipping, delayed changing of gears, no response of gas pedal. My altima rolls into traffic with me pressing the gas there is a 3-5 second delay before taking off. Very dangerous. No one was able to recreate the problem but now it won't shift. It revs high and will not transfer to wheels.