2016 Nissan Altima: Hesitation when accelerating
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Altima report: hesitation when accelerating. CarComplaints.com lists 12 owner complaints, average mileage 76,000 miles.
NHTSA has 235 owner complaints for the 2016 Altima in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11757234 (filed 08/16/2026): “To recap: •nissan manufactured defective transmissions. •nissan granted me a warranty extension with a fleeting expiration date (2023) to shift the cost away from them. •in 2020, nissan performed work on my car. the work they performed masked the problem, didn…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11754572 (filed 08/03/2026): “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 intersecti…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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