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: power train
235 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jul 28, 2024
During normal operation of the vehicle the car suddenly would not accelerate or go faster than 12mph. The transmission failed without warning. I have filed a claim with the manufacturer.
Power train, Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly accelerated independently, before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Power train, Engine, Jun 30, 2024
2016 Altima 66,700 miles At a light, when push the accelerator my car hesitates for about 4 seconds. Then it slowly gains power. This is an accident waiting to happen. 2016 Altima needs a recall. I see multiple complaints on the internet as well.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 6, 2024
When I am stopped at a light or in stop and go traffic my car will not accelerate when I put my foot on the gas pedal. I can push it all the way to the floor and my car will not move. It takes about 10 seconds or so then my car will jolt quickly and finally go. I have also had issues with the RPM's shooting up while I am driving at a low rate of speed. This has happened maybe 3 times and I have to pull over and turn my vehicle off then turn it back on and then it seems to drive normally. This issue started several months ago and at first it was just occasionally. Now it is more frequent and happens anytime I am driving. If I turn my car off then turn it back on it seems to correct the issue briefly. I have found myself while stopped in traffic just turning my car off then back on because I am in fear of it happening. This is dangerous as I am at risk of getting hit when I am making a turn at an intersection if my car will not move. I have looked online and it seems other people with Altimas the same year have also experienced similar problems. I have not had the vehicle inspected. There are no warning lights that have come on in the vehicle indicating there is a problem.
Power train, May 15, 2024
I was driving on the interstate highway when I realize that when I was trying to accelerate, the car was not starting to move forward anymore was not able to drive at proper speed on freeway . prior to that, I realize my RPMs was going up and down Had to pull over on freeway shut my car off and let car cool down waited about 10 minutes with off and then restarted it and continue to go seem to be fine at that point but has happened a couple times to me already, driving at normal speed and then it seems like when it’s getting hotter that I would gradually wouldn’t be able to move at normal speed as I needed to be on the freeway. RPMs would eventually start jumping up a down again I end up bringing my car to a Garage have transmission flushed and change screen filter, and oil cool filter still same result. It seems to feel very unsafe when driving on freeway!!!!
Power train, Apr 23, 2024
It is a known issue that the Stepper Motor on Nissan CVT transmissions are faulty. It causes the vehicle to not accelerate from stopped, which creates a dangerous situation if you are expecting your vehicle to respond when you press the accelerator to make a turn in traffic. When the Stepper Motor is not functioning properly, the driver will depress the accelerator, and the vehicle will not respond for up to 3 seconds. Once the vehicle responds to the depressed accelerator, it jolts the vehicle forward rapidly. Research in Nissan forums and conversations with auto technicians confirm this is an issue, however Nissan has not issued a recall. My research indicates this faulty part effects Nissan Alitmas as far back as 2008, and other Nissan vehicles such as the Nissan Murano.
Power train, Apr 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact was almost involved in a crash due to acceleration failure. The contact noticed that the vehicle shuddered before the failure in acceleration. Additionally, the contact noticed that the RPMs were high during the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Three months ago, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the passenger's side front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and kept for six months; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 76,454.
Power train, Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to jerk, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2024
I was driving today 3/2/24 and speed was about 40-50 and suddenly/randomly the vehicle would do a jerk once it got to about 50 and the rpm’s would jump up between 2-3 and quickly drop back down to normal. I was not pressing the gas hard or a lot just lightly and also the jerking would happen if I was going down in speed from like 60-50 it would randomly jerk again and rpm’s would increase and go back down. Would do this off and on. No check engine lights or any lights what so ever we’re out up on the dash either which made it odd that my car was acting up. My vehicle only has 59,300 miles and has been serviced strictly at dealer for oil and transmission and I have been told that Nissan and their CVT transmissions are no good and transmissions can suddenly “die” on you for no apparent reasoning. Online searches let me to forums that discuss this being a common issue although Nissan has never done any form of recalls. This poses a safety concern in that the car is jerking and rpm’s go crazy for a moment. My vehicle also after being stopped at a traffic light today did not want to accelerate and “go” when I pressed the gas. I creeped up to 20 mph while rpm’s increased and then all of a sudden the car jerked and I was back in motion. I have owned my car since brand new and never have I had any issues.
Power train, Mar 1, 2024
During driving on interstate highway transmission suddenly failed to shift during acceleration or deceleration. This caused an inability to properly move with flow of traffic to move to emergency lane nearly causing a major Mother Vehicle Accident involving multiple vehicles.
Power train, Engine, Feb 6, 2024
Car just randomly “ gave “ out . I couldn’t accelerate in the middle of intestate traffic !! The engine and the transmission blew at the same time. No warning , no check engine light ! Up to date on oil changes and other maintenance. Car only has 150k miles on it , no way this both happens at the same time. Complete limp mode. Danger to myself and most importantly my kids. How the engine and transmission just fails. Now I’m liable to pay 9,000, no warning no nothing. Complete failure . This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of this year make and model having transmission and engine issues. How terrible!
Power train, Jan 26, 2024
My 2016 Nissan Altima has roughly 80k miles, all the sudden my transmission began to fall a part, Nissan is fully aware of this issue, but they don't want to take responsibility. There are so many Nissan owners with the same issue
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 17, 2023
If I'm in city traffic with lots of traffic and a red light for a while or in a drive thru, my car takes longer to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. I'll push the gas pedal in to go and it takes a few seconds to get moving up to normal acceleration speed. The first few seconds of pushing the gas pedal my car barely moves, similar to idling forward without gas, even if I floor it, but once it gets going it drives normally. It works well driving long distance and only happens on stop and go trafffic and at a drive thru. I have a 2016 Nissan Altima SV 2.5.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2023
Since June of 2022, my car has been in service repair a total of 10 times. Each time my check engine comes on, the diagnostic codes always involve the A/F sensor. This started at 35,000 miles and Nissan cannot figure out the issue. There are SEVERAL bulletins addressing the issue, with the most recent being 2022. The service dealership will no longer work on my car surrounding the issue. As a result of having a sensor issue that cannot be repaired, the car will periodically not respond with acceleration. I have had two VERY close calls of making a left hand turn in front of oncoming traffic with the gas pedal suddenly not responding no matter how hard it’s pressed. It’s almost as if it goes into neutral. The rpm’s increase and the engine revs, but it just won’t move. After several seconds of remaining motionless, the car then suddenly accelerates to the speed that it should. This issue is not an outlier. I contacted several people that listed their cars for sale, that stated their check engine light is on due to an 02 sensor. They all stated they have tried to get the car repaired with zero success. People then just sell the car and transfer the issue to another person. If it hasn’t already, this issue is going to kill someone. My car stalled in front of two cars coming towards me at 50 mph. Had they not stopped in time, I would have been T-boned on the drivers side. That wouldn’t have ended well. Nissan suggested I sell the car- that is their solution regarding a car that became unrepairable at 35,000 miles. Nissan did send an engineer to the dealership to inspect the car- multiple times. They do not know how to fix the issue.
Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2023
Vehicle will delay acceleration when I have stopped at a stop sign or stop light especially if I was stopped on a hill. When I press the gas pedal it will delay acceleration for a couple of seconds and then finally take off. It was happening every so often but now it is happening more often. If I turn the car off and start it again, it goes away for a little while but comes back. The check engine light doesn't come on when this happens.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 25, 2023, crash
I was driving on the freeway with my 6yr & 11yr daughters when my car stop accelerating and started to slow down I’ll hit the gas pedal and the RPMS will go up but the car wouldn’t advance ! I had to get off the freeway before the car completely stopped in the middle of the freeway as the velocity of the vehicle was getting slower and slower ! Take in mind I try to do this as safe as possible but my car was in the far end of the emergency lane I almost got rear ended my kids were crying scare ! I turn off the car once to the side of the freeway check the hood and nothing out of the ordinary. Turn the car back on and it was driving normal ! On the next day that’s when the check engine light turn on ! Took it to the dealer and they told me I need a complete new transmission!
Power train, Aug 17, 2023
At 107,000 miles my 2016 Nissan Altima would experience an issue when coming to a stop after about 30 minutes worth of driving. After stopping at a light or stop sign, when I pushed on the gas pedal, nothing happened. I could press the pedal all the way to the floor, and the only change was that the tachometer would go up. I would have to restart the car in order for the gas pedal to work. After taking the car in to the Nissan dealership, I as told that I would need a new transmission and the cost would be $5100+ after taxes. I shopped around, but most all other transmission shops said that they would have to get the CVT transmission from Nissan. So the only thing different from these other transmission shops and the Nissan dealership was the labor cost. I was told by the Service Department at Nissan, that the older CVT transmissions wear out a lot sooner than the newer ones. With Nissan only giving a 12month/12,000mile warranty, your gambling if this newer transmission will at least run for as long as the original one. There has to be a recall on these Nissan CVT transmissions
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 16, 2023
From the Last 1 months, I can see sometimes when I accelerate my car it's not accelerating properly but the RPM is increasing, and sometimes after I stop in traffic when I accelerate my car it's not accelerating immediately and when I press the gas paddle hard suddenly it accelerates. It's a safety concern for me.
Power train, Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the light turned green, and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle jerked and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 74,300.
Power train, Jul 24, 2023
Car intermittently fails to accelerate when gas pedal is engaged. Gas pedal has been fully engaged at times and car does not accelerate. Had issues in 2021 and now it is reoccurring. This issue has occurred while in interstate traffic, as well as, day to day driving around town.
Power train, Jul 19, 2023
Transmission slippage or failure to engage when trying to accelerate onto highway. Transmission would slip during acceleration causing other motorists to have to immediately slow or stop to avoid collision. Identified by Nissan service that transmission needs replacement. Check engine light came on approximately 200 miles before diagnosis by Nissan service. At approximately 84K miles. No forewarning by the vehicle or communication from Nissan prior to this incident. Advised that Nissan is aware of the issue and have extended some warranties regarding the issue but not communicating to customers. Apparently issue is not isolated to just the Altima but several other Nissan models. Failures of this transmission type have been reported as early as 25K miles.
Power train, Jun 15, 2023
CVT issues. with shudder in speed control and lack of transmission staying engaged seems like it is popping in and out of gear at any speed. lack of power and changes in speed creates safety issues with other drivers on the road.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2023
Diagnosed CVT failure; Nissan refuses to replace the transmission at their cost. Took the vehicle to multiple mechanics before the issue was officially diagnosed, as the issue is difficult to diagnose. When operating the vehicle, at times the vehicle will stop accelerating; driver is pressing on the accelerator and the RPMs will increase but the vehicle will not be propelled forward and the power steering is disengaged. The issue is intermittent so the driver does not when this will occur, other drivers on the road also do not know our car is stalled, and this creates a huge safety risk. Also, when stopped at a stop sign or stoplight and attempting to turn onto another street, driver will attempt to accelerate and turn and the vehicle will not move or will barely move and the power steering is disengaged. If the cross-street has traffic, my vehicle is immovable in oncoming traffic -- a huge safety issue.
Power train, May 7, 2023
My wife's car started having problems with acceleration lately. At a stop the car would sometimes have problem accelerating and I would have to tap on the gas pedal a few times. If that doesn't work, I would have to keep on pressing the gas pedal without releasing it. The rpm will sometimes not go up then suddenly it revs to 4k even 5k. The car would go on limp mode or not even go forward when I'm revving the car. It happened both on highway and city streets. I was almost hit by a truck on the freeway. This is very dangerous. I did some research and found that many owners have the same problem. There is even a lawsuit I found on the internet pertaining to the same issue. No one wants to spend the time and money to fix a transmission problem especially if it's a problem from Nissan itself and not because of negligent owners not taking proper care of their cars. It costs about $3500 to $4000 to replace a transmission! Please investigate and put a recall for the transmission for the Nissan Altima. All owners who have spent money and time should be reimbursed!
Power train, Engine, Apr 28, 2023
I’m starting to experience issues with the CTV transmission. I’m experiencing jerking and stalling while driving on a busy highway with cars traveling 55mph or more. It is extremely dangerous driving when these things occur when cars are traveling at those speeds and the vehicle hesitate without warning.