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
553 reports, newest first.
Power train, Oct 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SCREW DRIVER WAS USED TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF VACAVILLE SERVICE CENTER (671 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687, (707) 392-4649) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,540. *LN CONSUMER STATED COMPLAINT WAS FILED TWICE #11365560 AND #11365566.*JB
Power train, Oct 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, CHICO NISSAN LOCATED AT 575 MANZANITA AVE, CHICO, CA 95926, (530) 891-1777, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
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.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GROPPETTI AUTOMOTIVE (830 S BEN MADDOX WAY, VISALIA, CA 93292) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL NOR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER A PARTIAL COST OF THE REPAIR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 12, 2020
TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AT 53,000 MILES. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH RPM IS REVVING THERE IS NO POWER TO THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING TURNS OUT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO TO TURN CAR LOSES POWER SO YOU CAN EASILY GET T- BONED.THE CAR HAS EVEN TURNED OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY LOSING ALL POWER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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 CONTACT CALLED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CROWLEY NISSAN (1451 FARMINGTON AVE, BRISTOL, CT 06010), AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB
Engine, Aug 17, 2020
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA-MY PROBLEM IS THIS: IT RUNS GREAT WHEN I CAN GET IT TO RUN.THEN AFTER SITTING FOR A LITTLE BIT, I GO OUT AND PUSH THE BUTTON-ITS COMPLETELY DEAD! I GIVE IT A JUMP THINKING MAYBE ITS THE BATTERY-NOPE-STILL DEAD. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP-THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK NO PROBLEM-THE VERY NEXT DAY IT WAS DEAD!!THERES NOTHING-NO CLICKING OR ANYTHING.I AM HEADING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO.IT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE AT THE GAS STATION BUT LUCKILY IT WORKED WHEN I GAVE IT A JUMP.I WAS JUST CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM. I AM OVER 60 YRS OLD WOMAN-THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS NOT JUST FOR ME BUT ANYONE.
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, 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.
Steering, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2020
I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BRAKES INSPECTED AT MULTIPLE PLACES. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE NEW HOWEVER THERE ARE GRINDING ISSUES AND HARD TO STOP WHILE STATION OR IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS, STREETS, OR TURNING. THERE IS A SUSPENSION WEIRD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BEARING WHICH NISSAN STATED IT THERE COMMON SOUNDS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED YEARLY BUT IS STILL HAVING ISSUES STOPPING.
Power train, Jul 29, 2020
TRANSMISSION FAILED!
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THE REMEDY WOULD BE AVAILABLE MID YEAR 2021. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 27, 2020
P059F AND P0159F CODES ARE FIRING. I COULD NOT LOCATE A TSB, BUT LOTS OF ONLINE CHATTER ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE
Power train, Jul 26, 2020
MY CAR IS JERKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. VERY SCARY. THIS IS HAPPENING IN MOTION WHEN I WAS GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR GOING ABOUT 30-50 MILES. RPM'S REVVING UP AND DOWN. THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AND OIL CHANGED, SO I EXPECTED IT TO BE GREAT FOR A LONGER TIME.
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE 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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSED THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2020
THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT PUSH DOWN IT IS LIKE SOMETHING IS UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THERE ISN'T ANYTHING AND THEN WHEN IT DOES IT PUSH DOWN IT IS LIKE U FLOOR BOARD IT. AND SOMETIMES IT CAUSES IT NOT TO CHANGE GEARS LIKE IT IS NOT READING THE CONNECTION FROM GAS PEDAL TO THE SYSTEM THAT IT NEEDS TO GIVE IT FUEL AND THEN IT TRIES TO DIE AT TIMES WHEN U DO GET IT TO KICK IN. THIS IS WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND IT DOES IT MORE WHEN IT HAS BEEN SETTING RUNNING FOR A BIT IN ONE SPOT. IT HAS HAPPENED LIKE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS
Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2020
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DULL THAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE THREE FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT NO HELP. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL BEHIND THE BULB AND IT FADES OVER TIME. VERY DANGEROUS . HAVE TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. MY CAR STARTED THIS ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
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?