2016 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 553 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 28 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 28, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Campaign 20V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, emergency, escape/egress/exitDec 19, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
Campaign 18V915000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJan 18, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V040000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, May 14, 2022, crash
As we were getting the highway the breaks had failed and then we some were able to get off the highway but the steering wheel cruise control decided it was gonna work by itself it was a very accident. And not only that my identity has been affected so bad because of the situation with mission and the dealership that I’m unable to use my name for anything anymore my credits ruined and now they want 18 grand for me to pay off the vehicle that’s they purposely made the car look like a rebuild so it was no longer covered I guess because the person set up the insurance with Geico and actually some how have me insurance in my father dl number and later on start changing stuff removing the insurance forging documents My name is [XXX] Email is [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Feb 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag sensor light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer cleared and reset the air bag sensor however, after several months the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced; however, due to the cost for the repair the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,547.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2022
Airbag light came on dashboard all of a sudden there was recall before with airbag I called Nissan is doing nothing that issue thanks please help
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 6, 2021
For the past two years I have been experiencing dim headlights. I have had them change twice and still cannot see 5 feet ahead of me. I was unaware that this could be a common problem with this model. Also, the passenger air light stays on even when no one is sitting in the seat. this problem started about six months ago. Now I think the transmission maybe starting to slip.
Power train, Air bags, Oct 5, 2021
Transmission seems to get stuck and not want to move at times. Airbag light on dash and some times shows pass air bag light off when there is a passenger in the seat.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2021
Passenger airbag light is always on. Nissan dealership said it is something with the sensor. Not covered under warranty. This should be recalled! I didn't do anything to make this mechanism screw up...
Air bags, Jun 20, 2021
Airbag light is on and Nissan dealership says they may have to replace up to 3 components to find the problem, not covered in warranty
Air bags, Jun 18, 2021
Air bag lights stays on and has been sense the car had 60,000 miles i spoke to the dealer and would not take care of it back then saying the warranty was out and im at 70,000 light still on dash and ive seen multiple recalls on the lass air bad module. I believe my call is a recall for that as well air bag light stays off when front passenger are in the car or out the car
Air bags, Seats, Mar 12, 2021
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. UPON DRIVING A FEW TIMES, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT APPEARS AND STAYS ON MY DASH ALONG WITH WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT TURN OFF. IT IS NOW MARCH AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX REPORT I RECEIVED WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A MAINTENANCE CHECK WAS CONDUCTED BY THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER CLOSE TO ME IN JANUARY, IT ONLY SHOWS THE CURRENT RECALL OF A HOOD LATCH (20V315 - THAT APPARENTLY NO PART IS AVAILABLE FOR). I WAS ADVISED BY A SERVICE REPAIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT ARE BROKEN AND WERE NOT REPAIRED DURING THAT MAINTENANCE CHECK. I QUESTIONED AS TO WHY WITH NO EXPLANATION GIVEN. I ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD FALL BACK UNDER THE RECALL FROM 2016 (16V244) WITH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT IT DOESN'T!! IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THIS TO BE FIXED UNDER THAT RECALL OR DOES A NEW RECALL HAVE TO BE IN EFFECT?? LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FELLOW PASSENGERS. THANK YOU FROM A VERY CONCERNED VEHICLE OWNER.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2021
I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY FOR PASSENGERS WEIGHING LESS THAN 140 POUNDS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT CHILDREN; HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY, MANY ADULTS WEIGHING LESS THAN 140 POUNDS AND THIS WOULD PUT THEM AT SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. THANK YOU. ANDREA OLIVERA
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Dec 2, 2020, crash
I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. FIRST: I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A REGULAR TRUCK HAULING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER DROVE OVER A LARGE PIECE OF PLYWOOD ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH IN FRONT OF ME (ALSO GOING ABOUT 70 MPH) CAUSING THE PIECE OF PLYWOOD TO RAISE OFF OF THE ROAD AFTER HE CLEARED IT AND IT FLEW INTO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND BOUNCED UP ONTO THE HOOD AND THEN HIT THE ROOF BEFORE FLYING OFF OF MY CAR. DURING THIS PROCESS, PIECES OF THE PLYWOOD BECAME STUCK IN THE GRILL AREA OF MY CAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, THANKFULLY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SECOND: I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE JULY OF 2019. OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I PRESS THE GAS, THE RPMS RISE BUT THE TRANSMISSION TAKES A BIT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR CAUSING A LAG IN ACCELERATION. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT IF I AM AT A LIGHT OR A STOP AND SHIFT INTO DRIVE SPORT, IT DOESN'T DO THIS. I HAVE GOTTEN IN THE HABIT OF SHIFTING INTO THE SPORT MODE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THIRD: MY DAUGHTER WAS HIT TODAY BY A TRUCK CROSSING LANES TO TURN IN FRONT OF HER. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT APPX 35 MPH. THE TRUCK HIT MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AREA, DESTROYING MY HEADLIGHT, BUMPER, AND GRILL. IT WAS HIT HARD AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING HER TO BOUNCE FORWARD AND SMACK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM CONCERNED NOW ABOUT THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS AND AM MORE WORRIED THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES. I LOVE MY CAR, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE VERY SAFE AT ALL.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GROPPETTI AUTOMOTIVE (830 S BEN MADDOX WAY, VISALIA, CA 93292) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL NOR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER A PARTIAL COST OF THE REPAIR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2020
THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) MAY INCORRECTLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CLASSIFY THE SEAT AS EMPTY DESPITE IT BEING OCCUPIED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF AND NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2020, crash, fire
HAD A WRECK AND THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT AND I GOT CUT BY IT
Air bags, Dec 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBBINS NISSAN (281-446-3181, LOCATED AT 18711 HIGHWAY 59 N, HUMBLE, TX 77338) WHERE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Air bags, Oct 31, 2019
PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED, AIRBAG STAYS OFF WHILE PASSENGER IN SEAT. SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE SEAT IS IN OCCUPIED.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2019
I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS AN USED VEHICLE. THE CARFAX REPORT SHOWED A MINOR INCIDENT ON THE FRONT, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE IS AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH CONTINUES TO GLOW WHEN I RUN THE VEHICLE. I ASKED MY SERVICE ADVISOR IN "NISSAN OF OMAHA" TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. HE REPLIED THE AIRBAG MODULE HAS TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY AND IT WOULD COST ME $2300. I DOUBT IF THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE SERVICE DEALER IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2019
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ITS THE SUBMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 11, 2019, crash
WITHIN I MONTH PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT I HAD TIRE PROBLEMS. I REPLACED THE 4 TIRES.APPROX. 3 PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT I HAD FUEL AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. APPROX. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT I HAD FRONT BRAKES REPLACED .ESURANCE HAS MY VEHICLE POLICY # [XXX]CLAIM#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Sep 30, 2019
I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH, YET DISCOVERED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON UPON FURTHER INSPECTION (AFTER PURCHASE). I KNOW SIMILAR MODEL YEARS HAD AIRBAG RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF I WERE TO CRASH THE SRS SYSTEM AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. HOW CAN A DEALER SELL YOU A VEHICLE THAT ISN'T SAFE TO OPERATE? I JUST WANT TO ENSURE THERE ISN'T A KNOWN PROBLEM BEFORE I SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS JUST TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OPERATING MY VEHICLE; EVEN THOUGH IT SHOULD HAVE CAME THAT WAY. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL COME ON EVEN WHEN I AM BUCKLED UP.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Engine, Sep 13, 2019
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND DEFECTIVE KEYLESS PUSH BUTTON. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED OTHER FAILURES INCLUDED REAR DOORS OPENING INDEPENDENTLY, ENGINE WAS LOUD, TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE INOPERABLE, AND THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY LIT. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE REPAIRS WERE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE THAT THE DEALER ACTUALLY COMPLETED THE RECALLS AS IT ONLY TOOK AN HOUR TO BE COMPLETED. *JS
Air bags, Aug 10, 2019
MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND GO SOLID AND STAY ON THEN SOMETIMES GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON??? I'VE BEEN READING THAT THE OCS SYSTEM COULD BE FAULTY!! THE PASSENGER ONE WILL SOMETIMES STAY ON WHEN PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN THE SEATS OR IT WILL GO OFF WHEN NO ONE IS THERE??
Air bags, Jul 25, 2019, crash
NOT SURE IF IT INCLUDES TAKATA RECALL. MY 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON JUNE 19TH 2019 THE CAR WENT TO A FENCE A PALM TREE AND A STRUCTURE OF THE HOUSE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AND THE FIRST TIME BUYER I AM MARRIED WITH A CHILD AND THANK GOD MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE CAR BECAUSE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAR SEAT IS DEEMED UNUSABLE AND THE STROLLER AS WELL THAT WAS IN THE TRUNK DUE TO THE ACCIDENT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE THE TOW COMPANIES THE POLICE DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS AND WE'RE SHOCKED THAT WE WERE ALIVE AND WALKING DUE TO NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS CAR SWERVED AND WENT INTO A HOUSE. I SUFFER FROM HEADACHES AND NECK AND NECK INJURY AND AT THE MASSAGE PARLORS GETTING MASSAGE OUT THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK. I'M JUST ADD AN OZ BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NONE AND IT WENT THROUGH A HOUSE AGAIN THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR I ONLY HAD IT TWO MONTHS SO BUYING IT FROM A DEALERSHIP YOU WOULD THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE OR THEY WOULD HAVE TOOK CARE OF THE RECALLS NOW I'M OUT ON VEHICLE NOT BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS BUT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND ALSO I'M IN PAIN WHICH IS DO I BELIEVE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING
Air bags, Jul 18, 2019
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT KEEPS POPPING UP ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED THREE(3) TIMES, ONCE WITH A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON AFTER 2 MONTHS OF DRIVING.
Air bags, Seats, Jul 6, 2019
BROUGHT MY CAR TO LIA NISSAN OF SARATOGA NY JUNE 29TH 2018. THE DID A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR, SINCE THEN, AND BEFORE THE YEAR WAS OUT, THE PART HAS GONE BAD AGAIN. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING IT IN BEFORE THE YEAR WARRANTIED DATE, THEY NEED TO CHARGE ME A $119 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE PART TO REPLACE THE OCCUPANT SENSOR COSTS $45 RETAIL. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY A FEE FOR A PART THAT IS KNOWN TO HAVE MULTIPLE FAILURES.