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: structure
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jul 23, 2026
Hood popped up while driving and smashed windshield and did additional body damage. Secondary hood latch safety mechanism was non operable according to mechanic who looked at it after incident. Hood latch was replaced as part of recall in 2022. Spoke to Nissan but they are dismissing because there is no open recall and because it was already fixed. Many online comments about others dealing with this same issue of failure after repair and Nissan not taking responsibility.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2026
Subject Safety Defect Complaint Recall Repair Refusal and Manufacturer Delay Nissan Altima 2016 My 2016 Nissan Altima is subject to a safety recall related to the hood latch cover The hood latch cover on my vehicle is defective and stuck which caused the hood to become completely locked shut This defect creates a serious safety hazard because the hood could unexpectedly open while driving putting me my family and other road users at risk I contacted and visited two authorized Nissan dealers multiple times to have the recall repair performed Both dealers refused to repair the vehicle unless I personally opened the hood first I explained that the hood cannot be opened due to the recall related defect and that attempting to force it open is unsafe The dealers still refused to perform the recall repair I then contacted a third party service AAA but they refused to work on the vehicle stating that opening or driving the vehicle with a compromised hood is extremely dangerous and that this issue must be handled by the manufacturer and its authorized dealers I contacted Nissan North America directly to seek assistance Instead of resolving the issue Nissan has repeatedly delayed action stating that my case is still pending dealer approval I have been told many times that there would be updates but no solution has been provided I was informed multiple times that the case is delayed and that there is currently no resolution available As of today my vehicle has been undrivable for more than one and a half months due to this unresolved safety defect I am afraid to drive the vehicle because it poses a real danger to my safety and the safety of my family This situation has caused significant stress and hardship I am filing this complaint with NHTSA because an authorized dealer is refusing to perform a required safety recall repair
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 18V915000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, others also smelled the odor. The contact stated while driving approximately 65MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 45 MPH with other vehicles behind. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lunged forward causing the contact to quickly depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2023, crash
Shaking upon acceleration
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).
Structure, Mar 2, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN VISOR DETACHED AND OBSCURED THE DRIVING VIEW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.*DT*JB
Structure, Feb 13, 2021
THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL OF THE SECONDARY LATCH FOR THE HOOD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE HOOD HAS BECOME UNLATCHED. THIS IS UNSAFE AND A DRIVING HAZARD. A REMEDY NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP OR SOMEONE MAY GET HURT. I THINK IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE THAT NISSAN HAS NOT COMPLETED THIS REMEDY.
Structure, Sep 18, 2020
MY CAR BATTERY WAS LOSE AND I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. I WENT AND POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS LOSE AND I MOVED IT IN PLACE AND THE CAR TURNED ON. UPON ME BEING IN A RUSH TO GET TRAFFIC GOING AGAIN THE HOOD LATCH DIDN'T WORK, AND WHEN. I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY THE HOOD WENT UP TO MY WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGED MY HOOD, CORNER PANELS, SMASHED MY FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND I HAVEN'T FIXED THE HOOD BECAUSE IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE FAST LANE.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 18V915000 (STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2020, crash
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY HOOD LATCH THAT I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. . DUE TO THIS RECALL MY HOOD OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SHATTERED MY WINDSHIELD AND MESSED UP MY HOOD AND FENDERS. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Structure, Jun 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH SHORE NISSAN (200 SUNRISE HWY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701), AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,400. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Structure, Apr 24, 2020
THE LATCH LOCK CABLE MAY NOT HVE BEEN ROUTED PROPERLY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR , WHENEVER LOWERING THE WINDOW THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR TO UNLATCH AND INADVERTENTLY OPEN WHEN THE WINDOW IS LOWERED OR NOT. MOST OF THE TIMES YOU NEED TO CLOSE TWO OR THREE TIMES TO PROPERLY LOCK.
Structure, Mar 5, 2020
WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MILES THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE HOOD LIFTED UP OFF HITTING AND BREAKING WINDSHIELD ALSO DAMAGING BOTH SIDES OF FENDER.
Structure, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2019
JUST BOUGHT CAR, THEY DID NOT TELL ME CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT, TRIED WORKING WITH THEM, SULEMAN SAID I SIGNED PAPERWORK, THERE NOT RESPONSIBLE , IF I TURN CAR IN, ONLY DROVE CAR MAYBE 25 MILES SINCE I HAVE HAD, STILL DO NOT HAVE PAPERWORK ON THIS CAR, NEVER RECIEVED ANY AS OF YET, BUT THEY MADE SURE WAS REGISTERED, HAVE NO AGREEMENT , NOT SURE WHAT PAYMENTS ARE, ALSO WAS TOLD I HAVE TIRES AND WHEELS AND I DONT, I AM A WOMAN AND DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS, BUT KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG, WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS PURCHASE, AS I SAID I HAVE NO PAPERWORK TO EVEN LOOK AT
Structure, Jul 9, 2019
WATER LEAKS FROM WINDOW SEAL AND CEILING
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.
Structure, Apr 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I GOT MESSAGE FROM CAR DASHBOARD LIKE DOOR OPENED. IMMIDIATELY GOT PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND CLOSED THE DOOR. AFTER THAT STARTED THE CAR DROVE FEW HUNDRED MILE STOPPED IN REST AREA GOT TO KNOW BACKSIDE PASSENGER GLASS WINDOW IS DOWN . I GOT FIXED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 17V040000 BUT ITS STILL FAILED
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSING AND THE LATCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V915000 (STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 32926223. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Visibility, Structure, Oct 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW LOWERED APPROXIMATELY 3/4 DOWN AUTOMATICALLY AND THE DOOR ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCKED AND OPENED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN LOWERING THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW FROM BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
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.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 16, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR OPENED WHEN REAR WINDOW WAS DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION ON ROUTE 80 IN PENNSYLVANIA AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM THE MILESBURG ON RAMP. DOORS WERE LOCKED AND THIS STILL HAPPENED. MY DOG WAS LAYING DOWN IN THE BACK SEAT. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. *DT *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2018
SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODING SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH AT 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF HIGHWAY CLEAR OF ANY OVERPASSES OR BRIDGES.
Structure, Jun 20, 2018
REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENS WHEN LOWING THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED TO ADDRESS THE SAME ISSUE BUT MINE VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.
Structure, Apr 9, 2018
THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOORS BEING LOCKED. DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND PASSENGER CANT GET OUT UNLESS THEY CRAWL TO THE LEFT SIDE OR SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE OF CAR LETS THEM OUT.
Structure, Nov 9, 2017
THE LATCH-LOCK CABLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED PROPERLY IN THE REAR DOOR. THE CABLE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSING THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR TO UNLATCH AND INADVERTENTLY OPEN WITH THE MECHANISM IS LOWERED TO OPEN WINDOW.