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: vehicle speed control
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2026
My 2016 Nissan Altima has approximately 68,900 miles. When I am stopped and press the gas pedal, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before it begins moving. It does not accelerate normally, which is dangerous when I am pulling into traffic, crossing an intersection, or making a turn. At other times while driving, the vehicle will not accelerate properly and appears to become stuck in a low gear. The engine RPM may rise to approximately 4,000, but the vehicle does not shift or increase speed normally. Turning the vehicle off and restarting it may temporarily make the problem go away, but it can happen again without warning. There is currently NO CHECK ENGINE light or other warning light that has ever come on. So I had the auto parts store attach an OBD-II scanner and the ONLY error code was P0776. This prompted me to research further and that is when I learned of the CVT issues with Nissan. Because the loss of acceleration and failure to shift are intermittent, I cannot predict when the vehicle will hesitate or fail to respond. I am concerned that I could be struck by another vehicle if this happens while entering traffic, crossing an intersection, or attempting to maintain speed.
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2025
Icc stopped working
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was running. The contact stated that the vehicle responded and returned to normal functionality after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The contact stated that the failure was more evident while driving in cold weather. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 3, 2025
I am writing to formally request a recall for my 2016 Nissan Altima due to a known issue with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Recently, my vehicle has exhibited concerning symptoms, including an inability to exceed 20 mph while hitting 3 RPM, and significant hesitation when accelerating, followed by abrupt lunging. Notably, these issues occurred without any prior warning lamps or indicators until recently with the RPM issue. Despite taking my vehicle to Nissan for diagnostic scans, which cost approximately $600, no specific issues were identified. These problems have not been reproduced during dealer inspections or by law enforcement, yet they pose a significant safety risk to myself and others on the road. I would like to qualify for the free recall service to have this issue inspected and resolved by an authorized Nissan dealer. Please provide me with the necessary information to proceed with this request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2025
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 Sr I brought into the Nissan dealership multiple times since 2022 now in 2025 at 100,000 miles to transmission is not working it's dying at intersections and oil is pouring out of the engine I was told that there was a recall that expired in April of 2023 however I was never notified about the recall despite taking my car to the Nissan dealership prior to that date no one ever said that there was a problem with the CVT I've stored my car multiple years because I'm a veteran and I had to deploy so it wasn't driven as much and now that's crossed 100,000 miles it's on its last leg this isn't fair the 2019 models are getting recalled they should fix mine I've taken care of this car and now they're trying to deny me my mobility I'm a retiree I don't have that much money the last time I took it to the dealership they said I needed a new engine never once mentioning that there were previous recalls on this vehicle. I need help.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2024
Car enters lymph mode, transmission failure car fails to move. Incident occurs randomly while driving on the highway placing driver and passengers at risk of being hit from behind. Nissan transmissions are notorious for transmission failures. This is the second Nissan Altima I have owned with the same transmission problem Vehicle only has approximately 60,000 miles and already failing. No warning lights came on nor other indications of malfunction. Transmission has been serviced by Nissan oil and filter have been changed. Transmission is warranted for 100,000 miles or seven years. The vehicle is a 2016 and has just passed the warranty. Previous Altima transmission was warranted for 100,000 miles regardless of the number of years. This is the third time transmission has fallen into safe mode on the freeway
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, 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, 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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 16, 2023
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5SR and have noticed every time I'm on the interstate and I have driven at least 70 miles of driving distance, the vehicle will all of sudden lose power and the accelerator will be all the way down and it won't go any faster. So, if the speed limit is 70mph and will automatically drop down to 60 and it has done this in front of an 18-wheeler one time scared me to death. Mind you no warning lights come on or anything it just loses power Nissan really needs to resolve this issue and fix it before someone gets seriously injured. Now Iam a disabled driver and I'm not trying hurt myself even further or loss of life.
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2023
The ASCD Switch failed while traveling > 60mph. The car lost all acceleration down to ~ 5 MPH. The car lost power to the steering.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2023
When you press the accelerator it won’t do anything
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.
Vehicle speed control, May 2, 2023, crash
I was making a right turn into a McDonald's and heard engine rev and car accelerarated involuntarily and brakes not engaging to stop the car. Eventally the car hit curb and went down onto grassy slope area next to road with traffic all the time brakes not engaging to stop the car. Finally able to turn car away from roadf back onto the grassy slope and it finally stopped.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2023
Car will not accelerate or moved after stopping at red light..even after pressing the pedal all the way to the floor..very dangerous situation..some one is going to get hurt or kill...Nissan needs to recall because almost every nissan altima experience the same problem..very scary and dangerous situation it happens every day now..car will not move at all or sometimes very slow..please help..Dealers are no help at all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2023
I believe The failure that i'm experiencing is with the vehicle's transmission. The car stalls or refuses to shift gears, has trouble accelerating, and when the car is trying to accelerating the car makes an unfamiliar noise which is quiet loud and noticeable and sometimes shake or full on just pushes forward randomly. I believe the safety for mine and others can be at risk at times because they would be times where the car will not accelerate, even when your foot is pushed all the way on the pedal and as a result the car begins to slow down. This is can be risk depending on where you're driving for an example if you're on the highway or a congested area going at a specified speed. From my understanding after doing research I have found out that several others have been experiencing this same problem, so to my understanding this is a common issue and I'm not sure why it was never addressed. I have taken the car to a mechanic where they said the problem is the CVT Transmission. The Check Engine Light is on. This vehicle has not been in an accident.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2023
Vehicle will delay acceleration when I have stopped at a stop sign or stop light. When I press the gas pedal it will delay acceleration for a couple of seconds and then final take off. It doesn't happen often and I find that if I turn the engine off and wait a few minutes and start it again, it goes away for several days but does return.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 8, 2022
Car was stopped at a stop sign. When it was clear I attempted to proceed and turn left. The car began to roll then wouldn't accelerate causing me to block both lanes with oncoming vehicles. The rpms revved and the car wouldn’t move. Finally, the car started to go forward and without me pressing the gas it accelerated. I reported the situation to the Nissan Dealer and the Nissan Consumer repair. The mechanic at Nissan said the code is the transmission "death code." The simply said the car has over 84,000 miles so they would not be responsible for the repair. When I told them the situation, they did not discuss safety issues. I asked the man at Nissan Consumer Affairs if the life expectancy of a 2016 Nissan transmission was 108,000 miles. He said Nissan was not responsible for vehicle safety after 84,000 miles. He gave me a case number and and hung up. I then received an email with the case number and a note that said to give the number to my attorney. I do not have an attorney.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 25, 2022
I only had my vehicle(2016NissanAltima) for less than 2 weeks before the vehicles major problems started. The engine consistently Stalls, Surges and Shudders. As well as the Shifter locking itself to where it wont shift out of park. There are no and have never been any warning lights to alert me. The CVT and the Computer are very faulty. To the point the vehicle is now a Death Trap. When driving the car the RPM will randomly accelerate and I have no way to control the vehicle and then vehicle will go into "Limp Mode" consistently and won't go any faster or slower than the speed the car chooses to do. I don't trust anything of what it says on the dashboard as far as Gas amount, Odometer, MILWarnings, Speed or otherwise. If there are no warnings from the car to alert me with, then that is a major issue with the car and is not mechanically sound and very dangerous for me and other drivers on the road. I have had to make the car sit the majority of the short time I have had it. Because I simply won't drive very far because of the dangers it puts me in everytime I have drove it. I have had to spend my money on transportation to and from work instead of making my first car payment. At this point I want to just Opt-out with the vehicle entirely and give it back to the dealership. This car is just unsafe and should not have been sold in the condition it is in. I only got to drive the vehicle 10 days or so before major issues started with the vehicle. I have not a clue what the details of what is wrong with the car. The only warning signal I do see now, is the MIL and that is not even mentioned in the option menu of the car settings etc. This car needs to be re-manufactured so that it can become a safe running vehicle. I don't have the money that it will take to fix the car. It's far too expensive for me or any hard working citizen to ever afford. I don't advise anyone to own a vehicle of this kind.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2022
My vehicle stalls whenever I am stopped, and will not move , then it accelerate really fast, sometimes it loses speeds in which I can not accelerate the vehicle. I have taken this vehicle to 3 mechanical shops and no can tell me what the problem is. I have had this problem since I purchased the vehicle.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2022
The car hesitates accelerating. After coming to a complete stop, when the gas pedal is pressed, the car will not go. This happens after in town driving for about 20 min or so when it stops and goes, stops and goes. The gas pedal will be pressed and the rpms will be going up but the car just sits there until all of a sudden taking off. No warnings appear. I explained issues to service techs at Nissan and they were able to replicate it and attempted to repair but it is doing it again less than a month later. It has been very dangerous especially when trying to merge into oncoming traffic.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 15, 2022
2016 Nissan Altima 29,000 MILES! FAULTY TRANSMISSION! Why hasn’t a RECALL been issued? Nissan dealership informed me that I will have to replace the transmission! This will cost me $4,500.00
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.