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, Engine, Jun 18, 2019
REAR DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, AND WOULD NEVER LOCK. WITH EITHER MANUEL LOCK OR ALARM KEY LOCK. ALSO CENSOR LIGHTS WOULD GO OFFON DASHBOARD OF AIRBAG BEING OFF WHEN NO ONE WAS SITTING THERE.
Air bags, Feb 22, 2019
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ILLUMINATED PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO NISSAN OF MONTCLAIR (9440 AUTOPLEX ST, MONTCLAIR, CA 91763, 909-625-5575) AND WAS REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,900.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAG ICON LIGHT CAME ON IN AUG 2018. HAS NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE SUSTAINED BRUISES AND THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER, SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE SEAT BELT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,357.
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Jul 20, 2018
MY REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND WHEN YOU LOWER THE IT OPENS THE DOOR I HAVE 47,000 MI ON MY CAR AND ALL MY ROTOR HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT AIR BAG RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED TO FLASH. DEALER INDICATES THE SENSOR INSIDE THE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. $1500.00+ TO REPLACE. UNTIL IT IS FIXED THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT FOR ANY PASSENGER REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 26, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS STATIONARY AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 30MPH, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES BUT MY NISSAN ALTIMA CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKES DOWN FIRMLY, STILL NOTHING, THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. I SWERVED TO MY RIGHT TO TRY AND AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HEAD ON. I CAUGHT IT'S RIGHT HAND BACK FENDER, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE MERCEDES STOPPED MY CAR- BOTH AIRBAGS INFLATED. MY 90LB, 18 YEAROLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BROUGHT IT UP TO NISSAN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WAS ON AND OFF WHEN MY SON SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON THE FIRST OCCASION NISSAN JUST RESET THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. IT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE, THE SECOND COMPLAINT, NISSAN SAID IT WOULD ONLY GO OFF IF MY SON WEIGHED OVER 110LBS. IN THIS ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DID GO OFF, CONSIDERING THIS CAR WAS GOING TO BE THE CAR HE DROVE- HE HAS HIS PERMIT RIGHT NOW, SO IF THE DRIVER WEIGHS LESS THAN 110LBS IT WOULD NOT DEPLOY. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. SECONDLY, I BELIEVE THE NISSAN ALTIMA BRAKES FAILED IN THE ACCIDENT. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PICKED UP THE CAR ON ITS FLATBED, HE SAID THAT IT APPEARED THERE WAS SOMETHING FUNKY WITH THE FOOT BRAKE, IT WAS ROCK HARD WHEN COMPRESSED. THE ABS COMPLETELY FAILED, I NEVER FELT IT ENGAGE AFTER PUSHING FIRMLY HARD ON THE BRAKES. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD. I NOTED THE ROAD WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED HAD TWO TYPES OF FLUID ON IT, ONE OILY ONE LIKE COOLANT. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY SERVICED, BY NISSAN VAN NUYS, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR DROVE INCREDIBLY WELL FOR A WEEK, BUT THE LAST FEW DAYS I NOTED THE SLUGGISHNESS AGAIN RETURNED. MY TIRES AND BRAKES WHICH WERE ALL FINE. THEY DID REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID.
Power train, Air bags, Dec 20, 2017
PURCHASED 4/2017 BRAND NEW. JULY 1ST, NOTICE THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, TAKE IT IN; THEY REPLACE A SENSOR, DIDN'T FIX, REPLACE ANOTHER SENSOR, LIGHT GOES OFF. IN AUGUST, THE VEHICLE AGAIN HAS THE LIGHT ON, TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER; THEY REPLACE THE FIRST SENSOR (THE ONE THAT WAN'T BAD) AND THE LIGHT GOES OFF. HOWEVER I AM TOLD THAT THE TECH THOUGHT IT MAY BE A WIRING HARNESS ISSUE; "LETS SEE IF THIS CORRECTS IT"; SINCE THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR IS BAD!! DECEMBER 19TH; DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM, THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE IT AS WITHOUT THE SENSOR; THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. SO HERE WE ARE THIRD TIME TO GO OUT; AND IT SEEMS LIKE WIRING SHOUDL HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT FIRST.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG DID NOTDEFLATE WHEN I HIT A HI CURCE OF ICE AND DAMAGE MY BUMPER THE BAG DID NOT COME OUT ALSO MY HOOD LATCH IS DEFECTIVE MY HOOD FLEW UP ON ME WHEN IS WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKED DOWN IT DAMAGE SOME PARTS AROUND MY HOOD AND WINDSHELD ALSO A ELETRIC PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT BOTTOM PARK LIGHT IT WILL NOT COME ON!
Air bags, Nov 7, 2017, crash
A DEER WAS STRUCK BY MY 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF SPEED (45 MPH) ON A CITY STREET STRAIGHTAWAY WITH FRONT END IMPACT THAT RESULTED IN APPROXIMATELY $11,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUSING OF THE CHEST AND SHOULDER FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEATBELT RESTRAINT. THE AIRBAG FAILED TO FIRE AS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED IT TO. .UPDATED 11/08/17 *BF UPDATED 8/21/18*JB
Air bags, Nov 7, 2017, crash
HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN JUNE. STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT ON THE CITY STREET GOING NORTH, WHEN HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE REAR END ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF AIRBAGS ARE SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY WHEN HE WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. HIS DID NOT. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BRUSING TO HIS NECK SHOULDERS AND HANDS
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017, crash
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. NEITHER STEERING WHEEL NOR SIDE AIRBAGS. DRIVER, MYSELF, WAS GOING WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC (40-44 MPH) ON CITY STREET ON THE 2ND LANE AT 5:30 PM AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. DRIVER HAS SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO NO PROTECTION TO NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, ARM, WRIST, AND ANKLE. NO OTHER PARTIES WERE IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.
Power train, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2017
MY TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY KICKING BACK AT ME, THIS MORNING 2017-09-27 MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY GAVE OUT. REVING IS TO 5-6 RPM NOT BEING ABLE TO EXCEED 10 MPH. THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG KEEPS TRIPPING MY AIRBAGS TO DEACTIVATE. HAVE TO HAD THE CODE RESET SEVERAL TIMES. THE BACK UP CAMERA LOOKS LIKE IT IS LOOSING SIGNAL EVEN THOUGH IT IS HARD WIRED, THE LANE SENSOR WARNINGS FAIL, FAILING TO INFORM OF A VEHICLE IN YOUR BLIND SPOT. THE KEY FOB CONTINUOUSLY SAYS KEY INVAILED DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2017
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE FIRST AIRBAG RECALL AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE. THE AIRBAG ISSUE REOCCURRED AGAIN WHEN SOMEONE WOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE VEHICLE STILL SHOWED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED. I HAD PEOPLE OF VARIOUS WEIGHTS SITTING THERE RANGING FROM 70 POUNDS TO 140 POUNDS. THIS HAPPENED OVER SEVERAL WEEKS AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN, THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. NOW IT'S HAPPENING FOR A THIRD TIME.
Air bags, Jul 21, 2017
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA SR: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. THIS IS AN INTERNMENT PROBLEM. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DEALER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE AIRBAG IS NOT ISSUE. LITHIA NISSAN OF FRESNO, DEALER EXPLANATION WAS THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SITTING CORRECTLY. LOOKING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEW CONDITION.
Power train, Air bags, Jan 7, 2017
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON WITH PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NISSAN HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE IS ALSO AN NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN OR NEAR THE DRIVE TRAIN WHEN EVER ENGINE IS OPERATING AT OR NEAR 1750 RPM THAT ALSO HAS NOT BEEN ELIMINATED.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2016
RECALL 16V244000 AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WITH MY WIFE IN PASS SEAT ~ 50% OF TIME. BROUGHT TO DEALER THREE TIMES BUT NOT FIXED. NISSAN CS NO ASSISTANCE TO FIX. WORKS OK IN OTHER VEHICLES WHEN SHE IS IN PASS SEAT.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2016
AIRBAG SENSOR IS ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN DEALER ONLY ACTIVATING THE AIRBAG IF THE PASSENGER IS OVER 120LBS. MY WIFE IS UNDER THIS WEIGHT AND THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ON EVERY TIME WE DRIVE SOMEWHERE. NISSAN HAS TRIED TO PLAY IT OFF SAYING IT'S ACTUALLY SAFER FOR AN ADULT UNDER 120LBS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG OFF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND I DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN MY VW OR MY MAZDA.
Air bags, May 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS AND THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE SOFTWARE WOULD HAVE TO BE UPDATED TO REPAIR THE SENSOR ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 898.