2016 Nissan Maxima: CVT shudder
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Maxima report: CVT shudder. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 61,050 miles.
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints for the 2016 Maxima in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11679050 (filed 08/07/2025): “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 …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11671310 (filed 07/05/2025): “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 th…”
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: replacing transmission (1 reports) valve body replacement (1 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
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $5,000 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .