Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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: [phone]) 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.
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.
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.
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. …
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. …
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.
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.
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.
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?
Transmission complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 23% of the model year's 142 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Nissan Maxima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Maxima transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.