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, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, WHEN I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION TO TAKE A TIGHT HAND TURN I WAS YIELDING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMPLETELY STOPPED . WHEN I WENT TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD TO SEE IF I HAD THE RIGHT AWAY MY CAR JOLTED FORWARD. JUST SPED UP AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DE ACCELERATION. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO CHILDREN CROSSING A SIDE WALK. THE ACCELERATION WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OTHER TIMES JUST NOT AS SIGNIFICANT. I DID NOTICE IT'S HAPPENING WHOLE MY AC IS ON.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2019
WHEN I AM STOPPED (AT A STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT, ETC.) THE CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WHEN I PRESS THE GAS. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 5 TO 7 SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND THERE IS NO WARNING. THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHEN THE RPMS REV UP EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND SINCE THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, AND NOTHING SHOWS UP WHEN THEY RUN DIAGNOSTICS, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW AND CURRENTLY IT HAS 46,000 MILES, AND I CURRENTLY DON'T FEEL SAFE WHEN DRIVING IT. THIS HAS BEEN RANDOMLY HAPPENING FOR MONTHS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 10, 2019
AS MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DROP SPEED FROM 70 MILES TO ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. AS I TRIED TO SPEED UP BY ACCELERATING, THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO HIGHER AND WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO DROP. THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO SEE I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY AND WOULD SLOW DOWN WHEN THEY GOT CLOSE AND GO AROUND ME, SO I AM GLAD NO ACCIDENTS HAPPENED SINCE WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN HIGH SPEED WHEN THIS STARTED TO OCCUR. WE DROVE LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES SINCE WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME FROM OUT OF TOWN. AT SOME POINTS IT FELT AS THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF WHILE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING AND SPEED UP ON IT'S OWN AS WELL AT TIMES. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR SAID IT WAS GOING 60 MILES PER AND I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. IT WOULD NOT BREAK AS I STEPPED ON THE BREAK, TAKING IT A WHILE TO RESPOND. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AFTER I ACCELERATED, AND AFTER A WHILE START TO MOVE SLOWLY AND GAIN SPEED VERY SLOWLY. AN ERROR ALSO APPEARED BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT DISPLAYED.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK SMITH NISSAN OF COLUMBIA (LOCATED AT 9940 TWO NOTCH RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29223, (803) 256-6600) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2019
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT GETTING NO RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE AND AFTER 5-15 SECONDS IT GOES UNDER FULL POWER AND LUNGES FORWARD. I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD 2 SITUATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE SLOWED UP UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AND AT THE SAME TIME MY RPM METER WOULD START JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND AGAIN WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN THESE 2 SITUATIONS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, SAT FOR ABOUT 2-5 MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN WITH NO ISSUES. I HAVE READ SOME OTHER POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE STATING THAT THIS COULD BE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HOWEVER I HAVE NOT HAD MINE CHECKED YET.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 28, 2018
THE CAR STALLS AND HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM FULL STOP. WHEN YOU PUSH THE PEDAL IT DOES NOTHING, FOR THE FIRST FEW MOMENTS, THEN IT PUSHES HARD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Nov 5, 2018
ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE THROUGH A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, I WAS PROCEEDING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR ALL OF SUDDEN ACCELERATED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN CAUSE ME TO SWERVE TO GAIN CONTROL, EVENTUALLY I RAN OVER SOMETHING IN THE STREET.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 23, 2018, crash
AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING SUDDEN DECREASE IN SPEED, THEN RESTART ON IT'S OWN WITHIN 10-15 SECONDS. WHEN CAR SHUTS OFF ALL DASH LIGHTS TURN OFF AND THERE'S NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE LAST TIME IT SHUT OFF I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND AND CAUSED CAR TO COLLIDE WITH GUARD RAIL.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 2, 2018
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR MY CAR STALLED OUT. IT TOOK 30 SECONDS OF PRESSING ON THE GAS FOR IT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. *TT *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45-55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 SECONDS WITH NO RESPONSE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOUNTAIN VIEW NISSAN (2100 SOUTH MARKET STREET, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408, (423) 756-1500), BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 20, 2018
WHILE ALREADY IN MOTION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXTREMELY SLOWLY ONCE AGAIN AS I HAVE REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE BEFORE, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN THE RPM GOT TO 2000, IT STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING EXTREMELY SLOW. THERE WAS A 18 WHEEL TRUCK APPROACHING ME FAST FROM BEHIND, BUT I COULD NOT GET ANY SPEED. LUCKILY HE SWERVED ON TO THE NEXT LANE AND PASSED ME. THE RPM METER STOPPED AT 2000 AND IT TOOK 22 SECONDS TO GET FROM 60 MPH TO 75MPH AS THE VIDEO SHOWS. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES DURING THIS DRIVE AND I WAS ABLE TO RECORD EACH INSTANCE PANNING FROM THE GAUGE DISPLAY TO THE ACCELERATOR SHOWING I AM PRESSING IT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T RESPOND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND WHEN I SHOWED THE VIDEO TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HE IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO BLAME THE ISSUE ON MY FLOOR MATS. HE SAID THAT IT APPEARS THE FLOOR MATS WERE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM GOING DOWN THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT GAIN SPEED. HOWEVER I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE AS THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AT ALL. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE MY FOOT PRESSING IT DOWN ALL THE WAY WITHOUT ANY INTERFERENCE FROM THE MAT. IN ADDITION, IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM BEING PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AS HE CLAIMS, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO GAIN SPEED, ALL BE IT EXTREMELY SLOW? THAT RIGHT THERE PROVES HIS THEORY WRONG BECAUSE IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS INDEED STOPPED BY THE MAT, THEN THE MPH AS WELL AS THE RPM WOULD MAINTAIN AT THE SAME RATE. I ALSO REMINDED HIM THAT THIS HAPPENED ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN I WAS ONLY GOING 35 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WHERE NEAR THE FLOOR BOARD. NISSAN ADVISED ME THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND ARE CONTACTING NISSAN TECH SUPPORT FOR DIRECTION
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 8, 2017
MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING FIRST IN THE CITY AND IT CONTINUED TO WHEN I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE POINT I HAD NO POWER AND THE WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD TO HAVE THE COMPUTER IN THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND THE CAR STILL IDLES AS IF IT WILL CUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. THAT WAS AT 40K AND I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSOR AT 60K
Vehicle speed control, Nov 18, 2016
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA ,CRUISE CONTROL ON, SPEED SET AT 65 TO 69 WHILE CRUISING WITH CRASH AVOIDANCE SET TO ONE BAR SPEED WILL SUDDENLY DROP TO 62 TO 65 . NO CARS NO WHERE NEAR FRONT OF VEHICLE OR ON ROAD WAY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, ROAD WAY EMPTY WITH NO VEHICLES INSIGHT. HAVE TO STEP ON ACCELERATOR TO BRING VEHICLE BACK UP TO SPEED. TOOK CAR IN TO NISSAN, MECHANIC SAID HIS ALTIMA DOES SAME THING AND THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND MY VEHICLE TO BECOME ENRAGED AS I'M HOLDING UP TRAFFIC USUALLY PASS ME SOMETIMES CUTTING ME OFF FOR HOLDING UP TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL THE TIME WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL SINCE 03/30/2016 TO PRESENT.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR DECELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TRUCK. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK AND FACIAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 12/05/16 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2017*JS