I have a 2016 Maxima with approx 250,000 miles on it. Drove it for work and it runs good. last January the alternator failed. Our mechanic replaced it and in August the Transmission failed (hard to believe after reading about the CVT problems that this was the original transmission). We decided to replace the transmission. After it was installed it was determined there was a problem with the alternator voltage so our mechanic replaced the alternator again. Now in February of 2025 the new transmission failed. In order for Nissan to warrant the transmission they have to diagnose it. So we had to have the car towed from the transmission shop to the local dealer. They diagnosed it with the judder code and also said the alternator was bad. They said the alternator needed to be replaced before the warranty paperwork on the transmission could be turned into Nissan. Assured us there would not be a problem with the warranty. Nissan replaced the alternator and decided it was bad as it was not reading correctly so they installed another one. The new one is working fine (for now) but the judder code is still there. So we turn in the paperwork for the transmission warranty and Nissan denies it saying that the alternator caused the transmission to go bad.

I have a lot of questions. What could possibly cause the alternators to fail? (2 in a year).

And could the alternator cause the transmission to go out?


Could something going on with the power cause the judder code in the transmission? The car will go in reverse but not forward.

I am trying to stay calm about this as we try and figure out our next steps with this vehicle.

Any input is appreciated.

 

It sounds like a mess you are dealing with but in my opinion, i would just sell it/trade it in and move on from the vehicle. You seemed to have gotten good use out of it. Based on the mileage and year, the Maxima is not probably worth much anyway. Just curious, how often did you change your transmission fluid?

 

Truthfully never changed it. Maybe just dumb luck but i have always left it alone and have never had any problems until now. I think i got my moneys worth out of the original transmission.

i do have an update. After 3 weeks the dealership figured out that the low voltage from the alternator and battery triggered the judder code on the new transmission. They replaced both as well as the electrical connections to the alternator and were able to clear the code and it unlocked the transmission. Knock on wood but the car is running normal now.

And yes we are helping our daughter buy a new vehicle and will just keep this one as a spare.

 

Thanks for the outcome report. So glad you can keep the Max going. Amazing miles traveled on original CVT!