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: exterior lighting
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2022
I had just purchased this vehicle from Dans dealers auto sales about a week ago and was brought to my attention that the headlights are filled with condensation and a good amount of water that burnt out my left turn signal and could possibly end up burning out my other lights. This could cause an accident if I didn't find out sooner because I was unaware my left signal was out.
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2022
The head lights are very dim and are melting so they can’t be just replaced. I can not hardly see at night because of this but I don’t hardly drive at night but if I have an emergency I need to be able to see at night. I have two children a baby and a 8 year old. Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful day and please be safe.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 29, 2022
The transmission has went out twice on this car within 2 1/2 years. I don’t drive it excessively. It is dangerous and a major safety issue for me to drive my car especially with children in it. I can be at a red light and on the highway etc. it’s very slow to accelerate that can cause an accident and other things, at the red light it takes a long time to start moving, it’s very sluggish. It drives very slowly on highways like 20 mph and on the road. It will start off slow and then accelerate and go super fast, that really scares me. It jerks really bad and everything that causes me to have anxiety attacks, IBS etc. Its getting worst everyday. It’s a major safety hazard on the road especially for my children. My son is scared, panics and cry’s as well in the car because how it’s driving. I have a baby and an 8 year old. I’m disabled as well as my son. Can you please help I’m so scared it’s very unsafe. I have to drive to get myself to work, doctors appointments, my children to school and daycare. I hope you understand. Please investigate this. I don’t want nothing happening to me or my children or anyone else. Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful day and please be safe.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 29, 2022
The transmission has went out twice on this car, this will be the second time. It is dangerous and a major safety issue for me to drive my car especially with children in it. I can be at a red light and on the highway etc. it’s very slow to accelerate that can cause an accident and other things. It drives very slowly on highways and on the road. It jerks and everything that causes me to have anxiety attacks etc. 3 months after I brought the car the transmission went out and 2 1/2 years later it’s going out again. I need my car to run properly and to be safe for me and my children.
Exterior lighting, Jan 3, 2022
Low beams are extremely dim after bulb replacement. Dealership confirmed known issue. I hit debris in roadway due to low lighting causing damage to my undercarriage. No lamp warnings.
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph when the head lamps had failed. The contact stated they now had to drive with the high beams illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who were unable to identify a failure. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the way the head lamps were made the halogen head lamps lacked a sealant to protect the head lamps from the heat of the vehicle causing them to fade over time. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SHINE TOO WEAK . i REPLACED BULBS AND NOTHING IMPROVED. i SPOKE WITH REPAIR FACILITY AND SAID HEADLAMPS MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO KNOWN ISSUE INVOLVING PROJECTOR IN HOUSING FAILING. ONLINE REASEARCH CONFIRMS KNOWN ISSUE. i ALMOST CRASHED INTO PEOPLE AND A CAR TONIGHT DUE TO ISSUE.
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.
Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2021
HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN DIM FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. THIS MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT DIFFICULT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MAGNIFIER AND THAT CHANGING THE BULB WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Dec 18, 2020
AT NIGHT TIME CAN SEE NO MORE THAN 10-15 FEET AHEAD WITH LOW BEAMS HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT LIGHT FAR ENOUGH OR BRIGHT ENOUGH REGARDLESS OF BULBS LUMINOSITY
Exterior lighting, Dec 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM AND HI-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE BULBS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE LIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT FAILED TO SERVICE CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF MOBILE (1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65 RD SOUTH, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251-476-7800). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2020
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DULL THAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE THREE FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT NO HELP. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL BEHIND THE BULB AND IT FADES OVER TIME. VERY DANGEROUS . HAVE TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. MY CAR STARTED THIS ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2019
THE LOW BEAM IS ALMOST USELESS DUE TO NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH LIGHT TO DRIVE WITH THEM ON. I NEED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS JUST TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. NOT SAFE FOR ME OR OTHER DRIVES ON THE ROAD. MUST BE A PROBLEM FOR ALL 2016 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THINKING ABOUT TRADING BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Dec 18, 2019
HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON LOW BEAM YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD.
Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2019
MY CAR IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD, I'M IN MY EARLY 40S AND I'M VERY NERVOUS DRIVING AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON DARK BACK ROADS. IF A CAR IS COMING FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION I LOSE SIGHT OF THE LINES ON THE ROAD & HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE CAR COMING AT ME TO JUDGE WHERE I SHOULD BE. IT'S 10X WORSE WHEN THERE'S A NEWER CAR WITH THE BRIGHT LED LIGHTS. THEY ARE BLINDING. EVEN WHEN BEHIND ME, I HAVE TO MOVE MY SIDE MIRRORS. THE REFLECTION IS TOO BRIGHT AND AFFECTS THE POOR LINE OF SIGHT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH DUE TO MY VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS. I'LL ALSO ADD THAT I HAVE TINTED WINDOWS THAT DON'T HELP TO BLOCK THESE LIGHTS. I DID ASK MY EYE DR & HE TOLD ME LOTS OF PATIENTS HAVE COMPLAINTS. I DID READ THAT PREVIOUS YEAR ALTIMAS HAVE POOR HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT HAS TO DUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS A NISSAN PROBLEM. BELOW IS THE SITE I FOUND WITH INFO ON IT. MY FRIEND HAS A 2018 ALTIMA AND SHE CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT EITHER SO I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING. HTTP://WWW.NISSANPROBLEMS.COM/ALTIMA-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS/ ONE LAST STATEMENT I'D LIKE TO MAKE. I HAD A 2008 ALTIMA BEFORE THIS ONE AND MAYBE SPENT $500 IN REPAIRS OVER A FEW YEARS. I GOT THIS 2016 ALTIMA IN FEBRUARY 2019, CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES AND I JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. HAD STRANGE ACCELERATION ISSUES SPORADICALLY AND THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T RECREATE THE ISSUE. I TOOK VIDEO OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED SO I HAD DOCUMENTED PROOF. 2 WEEKS AGO THE ISSUE STARTED AND DIDN'T GO AWAY THIS TIME. HAD PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, STUCK AT 30 MPH AND RPMS AT 5000. WORK WAS JUST FINISHED LAST WEEK THAT WOULD'VE COST ME AROUND $4000 IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY WARRANTY. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I DID GET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOTICE TO NISSAN REGARDING THE CVT......AND WEEKS LATER I WAS ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO WAS BURDENED AND STRESSED.
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!
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY SUFFICIENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS POOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FUNCTIONED AS INTENDED AND ALSO THAT THE HEADLAMPS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED DUE TO THE STATE REGULATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20.