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: other or unspecified
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2022
My door locks all failed and do not lock when I get to speed or at all. My previous Nissan Altima was a 2011 Model and I had the same issues with multiple actuators replaced that failed to solve the problem. This is an obvious defect that was not fixed in at least Models 2011-2016. I feel this is a safety risk when doors will not lock when driving and also a safety risk when someone jumps in your car when you thought doors were locked. I actually had people jump in my car trying to get money multiple times that put me at risk and this is a problem that should be fixed by Nissan at no charge for all consumers between these year models for failing to fix obvious defective locks.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2021
I just purchased the car , they won’t service the car under there warranty so I decided to search the vin to find there is unresolved recall with the vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2021
Converter in transmission gave out and shot metal shreds into transmission and I had to replace 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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2021
My would stall at every stop I made. Would barely pick up speed. My first experience with it was on the highway and I had to put my hazard lights on and turn my car on and off to get it on the side of the road. I then called a Nissan dealership to see what’s wrong but they told me I needed a whole new transmission Was just recently informed that transmissions are prone to fail online. I purchased this car in April 2020 it’s only September 2021. But most definitely there needs to be a recall I could’ve been hit seriously.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2021
I was driving the car was driving fine. No indicator lights came on to warn me. I drove to my cousin house. And when I turned the car off my doors didn’t unlock like they usually do. I tried to turn the car back on I wouldn’t do anything. The whole time my windows was up. I was stuck in the car . I had to climb out through my trunk. That is dangerous.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2021
This vehicle is a 2016 Nissan Altima with only has 36,000 miles. When driving this vehicle and stopping at a stop sign or traffic light the vehicle will not accelerate for a 10-30 seconds. No engine code or check engine light. This has happened two times when my wife drove the car and one time when I drove it. My wife will not drive this car anymore because she does not feel safe in it. She fears she will be rear ended or hit trying to make a turn. I talked to my local Nissan dealer today 8/19/2021 while having the hood latch recall done. The dealership didn't know anything about this problem with this or other Altimas but said it could be the valve body in the transmission ( without looking at the car, just my conversation) MMMMMMM. The dealership said they would charge me $130.00 to do a diagnostic check but without a check engine light it would not show anything and of course the car was doing fine when I went to there. This problem is sporadic and you don't know when it will occur again and can be very dangerous. I have looked at chat forums on google and see this is a big problem with Nissan Altimas of this model year generation. Thank you for your time.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2021
The RPMS are jumping while driving ,, car shut off while driving , car is sputtering and jerking and changing gears are not smooth.
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, 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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 13, 2021
On june 10,2021 i had to put my car in the shop bc the engine was running poorly. My car stalled on me at intersection and didnt want to pull. I was in panic thinking a car was going to hit me. Luckly i was able to get it to pull to the nearest vacant lot. I immediately stopped and let all moving traffic clear the way. Then i got my car to go and i had to gain enough speed to make it over the overpass without stalling again. When i finally got tje car home my husband had it put in shop tw next day. Mechanic hooked it up to a machine and the codes for transmission popped up. My life was at risk as i had no oter choice but to play rush and roulette. Li
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2021
I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO MISSISSIPPI WITH MY 2 BABIES IN THE CAR AND GOT READY TO GO UP A SMALL HILL AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GAS UP THE HILL. SO I PUT MY HAZARDS ON, PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON, IT THEN PROCEEDED TO GO UP THE HILL WITH SOME HESITATION BUT IT MOVED. I THEN STOPPED AT AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE TO GET A READ OUT EVEN THOUGH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. I GOT A P0776 CODE WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT ALL. THAT ALONE IS SCARY! SO I GOT MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND THOUGHT THAT WOULD FIX IT BUT WEEKS LATER I'M HAVING EVEN MORE ISSUES. THE CAR QUIT MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF CITY TRAFFIC LUCKY ENOUGH NOBODY RAN OVER ME AND MY BABIES. SO I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON ENOUGH TO COAST TO THE GAS STATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PAY TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND KEEPING IT SERVICED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A DRY ROAD AND MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SO I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED OFF AGAIN. AS SOON AS I STARTED MOVIE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AGAIN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS THE END OF THE TRIP 250 MILES, WAS CRUISING ABOUT 15 MPH, CAR WAS NO LONGER RESPONDING TO ACCELERATION, ENGINE MAKING LOUD NOISE AS IF STRUGGLING AND RPM INCREASED ABOUT 5000, I DROVE LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 2 MILES, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT DAY CAR DROVE FINE. HAD TWO SIMILAR EPISODES IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, CAR WITH SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND NOT RESPONDING TO ACCELERATION, RPM INCREASED 5-6K, THESE LASTED LESS THAN A MINUTE AND THEN DROVE NORMAL AGAIN.LAST WEEK HAD A MAJOR EPISODE, WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT 40 MILES AN HOUR, WAS NOT ACCELERATING AGAIN AND SPEED STUCK AT 40 MPH. AND RPMS INCREASED TO ABOUT 5 TO 6000, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE SOUND AS IF STRUGGLING. CAR IS NOW JERKING WHEN REVERSING, ONLY HAS 44,800 MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THEY ARE SEVERAL VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE WITH SIMILAR MODEL ALTIMA EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, MOST PEOPLE THINK IS THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT IS FAULTY AND OVERHEATING.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2020
CAR HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION. IF I'M AT A RED LIGHT, CAR WILL NOT GO AT A READ LIGHT EVEN IF I PUSH GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN. I HATE IT WHEN IT HAPPENS AND MY KIDS ARE IN THE CAR. HAPPENS WHEN I'M TURNING TOO AND ALMOST GOT HIT YESTERDAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 22, 2020
WHEN EVER I'M AT A LIGHT TO LONG, THE CARS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE, OR I'M IN THE DRIVE THRU THE CAR TAKES A COUPLE SECONDS TO ACCELERATE. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A REPEATED PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2020
GEAR SHIFT LOCKED IN PARK POSITION UNABLE TO ENGAGE GEARS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 8, 2020
AFTER STOPPING AND GOING A DECENT AMOUNT (SUCH AS A DRIVE THRU) THE CAR HAS A DELAY OF SHIFTING GEARS AND STARTING TO MOVE AFTER COMPLETELY STOPPED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. THE RPMS WILL GO SIGNIFICANTLY UP BEFORE INCREASING SPEED. IT WILL DO THIS ON SLOW OR FAST ROADS.
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
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2020
HELLO AT MAY 28 I SAW THAT OPENED NEW RECALL ON MY NISSAN. AT NOWADAYS DEALER DOESNT KNOW HOW CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM AND SAID THAT DON'T HAVE REMEDY TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE TWO NISSAN ALTIMA 2016 AND 2017 I WANT TO SELL A BOTH BECAUSE AT TODAY PASSED AROUND 2 MONTH FROM OPENED RECALL AND NOBODY KNOWS ANY DECISION HOW TO FIX MY CARS. DEALER SAID THAT NHTSA SHOULD GIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2020
01/01/20 RECALL RECEIVED 07/03/20 FROM NISSAN FOR HOOD LATCH, R20A7. NO CAR LIFT. RISK RANK: COLLISION. I CALLED TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO REMEDY. CAR IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AND NISSAN CORPORATE WILL NOT ANSWER PHONE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. MR. ZACH MCQUAIG, PEARSON NISSAN IN OCALA, SAID THERE IS NO REMEDY AND HE COULD CARE LESS (THAT WAS HIS ATTITUDE). WHAT CAN I DO?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2020
THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS ON THIS CAR- I AM GETTING SICK OF IT. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 1 REPAIRED, I WANT A GOOD DEAL FOR A TRADE-IN AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
Other or unspecified, Electrical system, May 29, 2020
AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, THERE CAN BE NO RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I CAN BE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN PRESS THE GAS, AND NOTHING HAPPENS, UNTIL SUDDENLY IT WILL ENGAGE AND LURCH FORWARD. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE RELAY SWITCH. THEY REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD BE THEY 'REBOOTED THE SOFTWARE', BUT AGAIN, THE CAR STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO THEY COULD DO UNLESS THERE WAS A "CODE" TO READ, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT, THERE IS NO CODE. I FEEL THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED, WAITING ON A LEFT TURN, THEN TRY TO PROCEED, AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS,THEN HAVE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 27, 2020
MY CAR AFTER IT HAS WARMED UP FROM A STOP IT WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED , EVEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THEN WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN TAKE OFF EVEN PEEL OUT AND IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WILL START REVVING THE RPMS BUT BARELY MOVE. ONE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SHOWED THE SOLENOID #2 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF IT RESETS SOMEHOW AND WORKS FINE FOR A WHILE THEN DOES IT AGAIN. SO I WILL STOP AND RESTART THE CAR BEFORE I GET TO AN INTERSECTION SO I WON?T GET HIT BECAUSE MY CAR WON?T GO. IT WILL ALSO SHUDDER ON HILLS REGARDLESS OF BEING COLD OR HOT. DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND MY DAUGHTER WANTS MY CAR SO BRINGING IT IN TO GET THE SOLENOIDS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED TO SEE IF THIS FIXES THE ISSUE. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GO DOWN MUCH FROM DAY I BOUGHT IT, SO MAY BE RELATED TO DOOR OPENING RECALL , GUESS WE'LL SEE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 26, 2020
LAST SUMMER I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IT WAS A SATURDAY, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND THE ONLY PLACE THAT WAS OPEN AND THE CLOSEST WAS THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT IN THERE THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE OVER 1 GRAND. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY LYING AROUND SO I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE TO ASK IF I CAN HAVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THEY SAID BECAUSE I DON'T SERVICE MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT FINANCE ME AND HELP ME WITH IT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IS OUT OF MY WAY TO GET IT SERVICED. SECOND ISSUE STARTED RECENTLY AND THAT IS WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR THERE IS NOT VERY GOOD ACCELERATION AND ONCE I HIT 20 MPH I START TO HEAR A WHINING NOISE. I DID SOME DIGGING IN SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS AND THOSE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS THE CVT TRANSMISSION. LAST WEEK I BARLEY WENT OVER 73,000 MILES ON MY ODOMETER. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, NOR DO I REALLY CARE TO. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN AS LONG AS I LIVE. THERE COOPERATE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS AS WELL AS THERE CVT TRANSMISSIONS!!