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, Jun 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers and independent mechanics; however, no codes were retrieved while performing the diagnostic tests. The contact then took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where she was informed that there was a power train recall for similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where she was informed that the vehicle was under warranty however, the vehicle no longer qualified for the warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Engine, May 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and traction control warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery terminal connector was too small for the battery. A connector was added. The contact called another dealer, King Windward Nissan (45-568 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96544) and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the transmission. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and instead decelerated. On another occasion while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle was jerking with an abnormal ticking sound. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2022
My car only have 85000 mile on it and it jerks sometimes and was told it was a Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance and after doing research a lot of people transmission are doing the same thing. Nissan should be made to fix the problem
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 13, 2022
While trying to pull out of a intersection, car will not move or will move very slowly. I have almost been t-boned twice with my family in the car. This happens intermittently, 4 times in the past year. After car is turned off and restarted the issue seems to go away until the next time. The needs to be a safety recall before someone gets seriously hurt.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2022
I just purchased this vehicle with 93,000 miles and good condition. A warning or indicator light never comes on but sporadically I will be driving around 40-50mph & if I let off of the gas something happens where no matter how hard or fast I press the accelerator the car looses power. I can press the accelerator all the way to the floor & still not speed up. The car will slowly decrease speed until about 30mph or either I have to take my foot off of the accelerator totally & press hard about 1/4 on the accelerator to regain power. It feels like the pressure behind the accelerator disappears when all of this happens. There is no dimming of lights or anything obvious. It happens when my Mom drives also. I have lost power trying to pass a car or turn with oncoming traffic ahead. It scares me.
Power train, Engine, Jan 31, 2022
Acceleration from stand still occasionally does not occur. This causes us to press harder on the acceleration pedal and suddenly the car accelerates with high RPM. There is no check engine light. This is particularly at risky when left side turns at traffic signals are made. The problem has not been reproduced but has happened occasionally and usually turning off the engine completely and restarting the car results in the resolution of the issue temporarily. Car has not been inspected by anyone so far.
Power train, Jan 24, 2022
I was on the highway taking my newborn and my 2 year old home when the car was not going very fast when I went up a hill. I wasn’t sure what the issue was so I proceeded to drive my car the next day. I was driving at towards and intersection and my car did not stop at a red light, at a 4 way intersection. At this point my car did not signal a check engine light so I had no idea what the issue was. I put my car in park at the nearest parking lot and my check engine light came on. My check engine light is on at only 99,000 miles. I had my transmission fluid flushed and changed, the vehicle was running completely fine with no issues, 2 days later it was running as if the transmission had no fluid in it. The Nissan dealership said that the vehicle had internal damage to the transmission.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2021
Delayed acceleration issue. I am stopped at a light or in traffic and I press on the gas to go and it does nothing at all. This is occurring at various intervals...it just happens. I have been stopped to cross intersection and when light turns green, the car does not go at all for several seconds, 6-10 seconds. No warning lights are on. I have read this is a known problem for Nissan and there is no recall or action taken on their part. How many people have to be hurt or potentially killed before action is taken. I have taken it to the dealer and they cannot reproduce problem because it does not happen all the time and their is not error or warning code.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Oct 19, 2021
The transmission has fail it accelerates on its own,jerking,hesitated
Power train, Oct 18, 2021
Starting at around 80k miles I noticed a bit of jerking and stalling while driving with no warning indicator and got it checked out 2 times and was told it was a battery issue and bought a new battery. After the battery replacement I noticed it was still continuing but I was not getting the transmission issue on the reader until one day I was completely stalled in traffic with my newborn baby and tried to floor the accelerator but was slowly moving that it triggered the check engine light and finally the transmission error came up on the reader. Nissan is fully aware of the ongoing issues with the CVT transmission and will not extend the warranty to cover their defective CVTs. The transmission has been replaced by my own extended warranty at the Nissan dealership but I am still experiencing the same jerking and slight stall when I accelerate.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2021
I have had this 2016 Nissan Altima SR for the past 5 years (1st owner) and it just began giving me acceleration issues about 2 months ago. At random times, while at a stop, reversing, doing a u-turn or changing gears, I step on the accelerator and it will not move. I have pushed all the way down on the accelerator and it won't budge for about 10 seconds, until then, it will just throw itself at a really high speed. There is no warning or light on the dashboard stating something is wrong. It does it at random times. There have been numerous times were I have been put at risk of a car accident because of this issue. Once, I was at a green light waiting to make a left, and when I had a chance to turn before the oncoming cars, I went for it, only to have the accelerator not work and go REALLY slowly (as if it was on neutral). At that speed, I was midway and the oncoming car was honking at me as it was getting closer. I kept stepping on the accelerator and nothing would happen. Luckily, a few seconds later it threw itself to a really high speed and I was able to make it before the oncoming car hit me. I have taken it to the dealer, only to find out I would be charged $169 for a diagnostics test and even then they wouldn't guarantee anything because it doesn't have any kind of warning light on the dashboard. The dealer then stated it could possibly be the transmission or throttle body. How is it possible for me to waste so much money on something the dealer itself is so unsure of the results? How can they guarantee they can fix the issue without happening again and possibly getting into an accident? I have heard of other Altima owners who have been told it is the transmission and they change it, only to have the same problems all over again. This issue really needs to be looked at before it gets more serious and cause devastating accidents. Thankfully it has not done that to me on the fwy yet.
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.
Power train, Engine, Sep 10, 2021
I have jerking in what I believe to be the transmission when accelerating.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2021, crash
Upon arriving to my grandson's daycare, I applied by brake and put my car in park and suddenly my car accelerated at a fast speed. My car moved forward across an area that the children are usually playing in, but because it was raining they were inside. Thank God! I can't even imagine what would have happened. My car finally stopped because I was trying to avoid the daycare's shed, but hit the corner of the shed and this stopped the car. The air bag did not deploy as well. I am thankful to be alive and unharmed, but most thankful that no one else was harmed. My husband took photos of the brake marks on the pavement and grass and of the vehicle after collision with the shed and showing it was in park.
Power train, Aug 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and deceleration. The contact had to place the key fob next to the push to start button to start the vehicle. Additionally, the contact had to use a screwdriver to shift the gear shifter from park to drive, or into reverse. The vehicle also stalled after stopping at a stop sign and then lunged forward to accelerate. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was over the mileage warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Power train, Aug 16, 2021
This vehicle's 1st transmission was changed at a Nissan dealership around 44,000 miles. At 120,000 it started having issues again which effect safety: vehicle would not respond to acceleration, causing the vehicle to be stuck in dangerous situation such as merging or even in the middle of intersections. Nissan is refusing to take responsibility.
Power train, Aug 5, 2021
CVT Transmission overheats then fails until it cools down.
Power train, Jul 29, 2021
Transmission is not right
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2021
Car loses power while driving on highways or roads and had nearly cost me my life on occasion where the vehicle cannot complete a turn from loss of power and I cannot proceed and obstruct oncoming vehicle paths. It has also revved up out of the blue to 6000-7000 RPMs despite a holding steady pace on the gas pedal. The speed jolts and has nearly caused me to rear end unsuspecting vehicles. Sometimes the vehicle cannot accelerate and has NO POWER after coming to a full stop at a red light or stop sign. I have been unable to receive help for any of these issues despite many diagnoses and lots of money spent. And it was not made aware to me, an owner of a Nissan Altima vehicle that there is a known probability of failure with CVTs in use in Altima’s of my hear. That lack of effort and total disregard for the lives of customers in similar Nissan vehicles is absolutely disgraceful and unacceptable! Furthermore, they try to deny it and try to take zero fault. Nissan is denying fault for faulty CVT in my vehicle and made NO ATTEMPT to notify owners of affected NISSAN vehicles and is NOT rectifying the issue or admitting their lack of effort on making owners of affected Nissan vehicles aware of issues and threatening consumer wellbeing
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2021
After driving for a period of time (not too far, but more than just around the block) when I come to a stop at a stoplight or stop sign and try to accelerate again, there is a long delay of around 3-5 seconds and then my car will “launch”. I can push the pedal all the way to the floor and nothing happens. Then it will suddenly take off. This is a hazard while trying to turn out into traffic, if I would have to accelerate out of the way of a vehicle approaching me from any angle while at a stoplight or stop sign. Trying to cross intersections that only have 2 way stops, and for many other reasons that are pretty self explanatory. This sits very uneasy with me especially when my wife and child are riding with me. I brought this up to the dealer and they found no codes and could not recreate it, but did reprogram my ecm to most current programming per NTB13-054D. That cost $140 and did not fix my issue. It seems like to recreate the issue the car has to be driven for a little while (at lease 20-30 mins on the highway) before it begins acting up. It also seems like hot weather contributes to the issue as well.I drive an hour each way to work, so it pretty much acts up for me 2x a day since it has gotten warm out.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 9, 2021
Stopped propelling the car. Might be a transmission problem.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2021
The CVT transmission in my 2016 Nissan Altima causes my vehicle to experience sudden shaking or jerking and to occasionally stall after a traffic stop while driving. I have been in near accidents based on this CVT issue as there is no way to anticipate when my vehicle will experience the aforementioned problems. I have taken my vehicle to an independent service center where technicians confirmed that the issue lies with my transmission. My vehicle was also inspected by my municipal vehicle inspection service which also flagged the problem. I have tried to contact Nissan USA to assist in the resolution of this issue but it has not been helpful in resolving the issue as I am outside the arbitrarily-set extended warranty period due to the vehicle's mileage. The Nissan Altima CVT transmission is a public safety emergency that needs to be fixed and I hope Nissan USA adequately and equitably addresses this problem. As a consumer who has previously only owned and operated Nissan Altimas, I am saddened by the company's inability to fully help consumers who are endangered by its faulty transmission and who may be a danger to others on the road due to this known issue.
Power train, Jun 11, 2021
2016 Nissan Altima, driving down highway and car would not accelerate, then jerked forward quite intensely. I felt like I did not have control of the car and feared I was going to hit someone or be hit by someone. I was finally able to get the car pulled over to the shoulder and turned it off. I thought it was a bad tank of gas. Let it sit for a bit, restarted, and made it home. We ran it this way for a couple of days so we could run the 'bad' gas out. Filled back up and added additive. Nope, same issue as soon as the car gets warmed up after about 8-10 miles. Took it to my local mechanic to make sure it was not the Mass Air Flow Sensor that I had to pay him to replace a few months back which cost me $600. That came back fine, but he informed me it was the transmission, and is a known issue with Nissans. I began researching, and boy is it ever a known issue all the way back to 2013. What baffles me is they are still using this same transmission, and one day, this will cause someone to get killed because they are allowed to continue doing this. I took it to Nissan Dealership, and opened a case with Nissan HQ Consumer Affairs. They confirmed CVT Transmission. I am at 88,500 miles, warranty out at 84,000. They offered to pay 80% for repair. Not acceptable when this should be a recall. Please have this recalled for goodness sake before someone is hurt. I did not have any warning light at all come on.