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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 9, 2020
CAR MPG CHANGE FOR WORSE AND CNECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPAIR CODES PO14C , PO14D,PO15A,PO15B SHOWING AT DEALERSHIP INDICATING TSB FOR FACTORY DEFECTIVE HEAT SHEILD REPLACE + AIR FUEL SENSOR + PCV VALVE . DEALER WANTED $1256.86 TO DO THE WORK. THE VEHICLE IS A 2016 ALTIMA WITH 29,006 MILES.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL CONTINUOUSLY SHAKE, SURGE, VIBRATE, AND FAIL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED WITH MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE, IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I LOST COMPLETE POWER INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS, POWER STEERING, AND MOBILITY OF THE CAR. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, THE ISSUE CONTINUES, HOWEVER I AM JUST OUTSIDE OF 60,100 MILES. YES 60K MILE WARRANTY AND KNOWN CVT ISSUES. MY REAR DOOR ALSO OPENS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD IF THE WINDOW SWITCH IS TOUCHED.
Power train, Feb 11, 2020
DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, AFTER DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE, IT BUCKS WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS, MAKES CLICKING NOISES RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AFTER IDLING AFTER LONG PERIODS OF USAGE. (THE FUEL DELIVERY IS MESSED UP). THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. YOU CAN BE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND GO TO ACCELERATE BUT HAVE YOUR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THEN AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN BUCK WHEN YOU GO TO PASS SOME ONE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2020
DELAYED ACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR S FEW SECONDS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ALTHOUGH HAVEN'T CAUSED A CRASH YET IT COULD VERY EASILY COULD BE.
Suspension, Feb 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR SWAYED BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FELDMAN CHEVROLET OF NOVI 42355 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48375, (248) 662-5970) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Power train, Feb 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MIN TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A SECOND OPINION AT ANOTHER DEALER HOWEVER, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Steering, Feb 7, 2020
VERY STIFF STEERING AT LOW SPEED (15-20 MILES/H) WHEN EFFECTING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN SUCH AS LANE CHANGE, ALMOST FREEZING FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. ALMOST GOT IN A COLLISION, WHEN TRYING TO SWITCH LANES, BECAUSE OF LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS OF STEERING WHEEL. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY , WITH NO WARNING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE REASON FOR THIS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 5, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AROUND SAME TIME CAR BEGAN TO EXHIBIT ACCELERATION ISSUES, LIKE STALLING, SLIPPING INTO 2ND GEAR, AND ENGINE CUT OUT WHEN ACCELERATING DURING BOTH NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. SENSORS READ BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND DEALERSHIP INDICATED OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE O2 SENSOR. AFTER REPAIRS AND PART REPLACEMENTS, 2 WEEKS LATER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO REOCCUR. SEVERAL MECHANIC RECOMMENDED GETTING RID OF THE CAR AS THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUES AND DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY TIME OR MONEY. CONTACT ART'S AUTOMOTIVE IN BERKELEY CALIFORNIA
Power train, Feb 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (AUFFENBERG NISSAN1690 NEW CAR DR, O'FALLON, IL 62269, (618) 622-4521) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE CVT (TRANSMISSION) FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 2, 2020
SHAKING, AUTOMATIC SLOWING SPEED, PICK UP TAKES TIME, ENGINE LIGHT ON DEALER SAID TRANSMISSION ISSUE COST 4850 PLUS TAX. THIS IS NISSAN ALTIMA 2016 ONLY 71000. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY KILLING CONSUMER FINANCE. NEVER EVER NISSAN AGAIN.
Engine, Jan 31, 2020
MY VEHICLE IS NOT ACCELERATING IT IS TAKING A HALF A SECOND TO A SECOND TO ACCELERATE IT'S JERKING AS YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND IT'S NOT HAPPENING EVERY DAY IT'S HAPPENING LIKE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSIONI HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW
Air bags, Jan 27, 2020, crash, fire
HAD A WRECK AND THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT AND I GOT CUT BY IT
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2020
WHEN THE PUSH TO START IS PUSHED THE CAR COMES ON BUT IT DOESNT START IS LOSES POWER. THE CAR IS IN PARK WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Power train, Jan 25, 2020
VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN STEPPING ON GAS. SEEMS LIKE IT SLIPS AT HIGHWAY SPEED
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 21, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF USING THIS CAR. AND IT WAS ONE OF THE SEVERE TYPES OF ILLNESS THE CAR HAS, IF NOT FIXED I COULD'VE BEEN STUCK ON A REMOTE AREA WITH NO PHONE RECEPTION, WHICH WHERE I LIVE BY THE WAY. THE CAR HAD A SLOW ACCELERATION, WHEN I STOPPED ON A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. HAD THAT FIXED ON DECEMBER RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS WEEK, BUT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING IT, CAR WON'T SHIFT GEARS AGAIN, SLOW ACCELERATION, PROBABLY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ITS TRANSMISSION ETC.
Power train, Jan 20, 2020
STOPPED AND WHEN PULLING OUT LOST POWER AND WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER AND RPM WENT REALLY HIGH IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT TURNED VEHICLE OFF THEN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN A WEEK
Power train, Jan 9, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST ACCELERATES ALL ON ITS OWN. WHEN I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. I TRY TO DRIVE OFF AND THE CAR DOES NOT GO. IT MOVES VERY SLOWLY AND TAKES A COUPLE SECONDS TO GO. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I REALLY WISH THIS WOULD GET INVESTIGATED.
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 07:30AM CT. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND HEAR A VERY LOUD BANG AND HEAR GLASS. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME BUT DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING. LOOKED IN MY MIRRORS, CARS GOING BY ME AND REALIZED I WAS NOT HIT. THEN I THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOT MY CAR. I CONTINUED TO HEAR GLASS BUT DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. VERY SHAKEN UP NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I PULLED OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT AND FOUND MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE GLASS FLYING OUT (HWY SPEED) CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK OF MY CAR. I CALLED NISSAN DEALER WHO SUGGESTED I CALL CORPORATE. CORPORATE SAID TO BRING CAR TO DEALER. DEALER CHECKED VENTS SAID THEY WERE CLEAR. SERVICE MANAGER AS WELL AS A COUPLE SERVICE PEOPLE CAME OUT TO TALK TO ME AND TOLD ME THIS IS DEFINATELY A NISSAN DEFECT AND THE SUNROOF AND PAINT WOULD BE COVERED. AFTER A FEW DAYS WITH NO WORD I WENT TO THE DEALER (THEY DID GIVE ME A COURTESY VEHICLE). WHEN I WENT TO CHECK ON MY CAR THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE SUNROOF WAS IN. I AGAIN TOLD HIM I NEED TO KNOW IF ALL INCLUDING PAINT IS COVERED. I HAD OPENED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE BEFORE I CALLED NISSAN AND I DID NOT CLOSE THAT CLAIM UNTIL I KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. NISSAN WENT AHEAD AND PUT IN THE SUNROOF. TOLD ME AGAIN PAINT WOULD BE COVERED. TWICE THEY SAID IT WAS DONE. TWICE REFUSED BECAUSE PAINT WAS NOT TOUCHED. NISSAN DEALER THEN SAID THAT NISSAN WILL PAY $1000 TOWARDS THE $1230 SUNROOF AND WILL NOT COVER PAINT. CALLED CORPORATE BACK WHO SENT TO REGIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO DENIED ANY CLAIM WITH MY CAR. I HAD TO PAY THE $230 AND BRING TO AUTOBODY SHOP FOR PAINT REPAIR. WITH ANOTHER DEDUCTIBLE. NO CAR NOW FOR 3 WEEKS.
Power train, Dec 30, 2019
THE CAR HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION THAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, ACCLERATES ON ITS OWN, OR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY WHEN IT WARMS, IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVE IN WARM WEATHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN IT HEATS UP. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF NISSANS CVT TRANSMISSIONS THAT THEY ARE NOT FIXING.
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2019
THE LOW BEAM IS ALMOST USELESS DUE TO NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH LIGHT TO DRIVE WITH THEM ON. I NEED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS JUST TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. NOT SAFE FOR ME OR OTHER DRIVES ON THE ROAD. MUST BE A PROBLEM FOR ALL 2016 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THINKING ABOUT TRADING BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Dec 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBBINS NISSAN (281-446-3181, LOCATED AT 18711 HIGHWAY 59 N, HUMBLE, TX 77338) WHERE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Exterior lighting, Dec 18, 2019
HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON LOW BEAM YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD.
Power train, Dec 17, 2019
CAR HAS THE SAME JUDDER CODE IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT SPECIFIED AS AFFECTED. CAR JUDDERS IN SLOW AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND IN PARKING LOTS. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME A PROBLEM WITH THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND HAS AFFECTED MORE CARS THAN THE VIN NUMBERS THAT THE RECALL IS OUT FOR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 12, 2019
I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 85,000 MILES THAT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES. I'VE FOUND MULTIPLE PEOPLE ONLINE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE AT TIMES WHEN PUSHING DOWN THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT RESPOND THEN SUDDENLY TAKE OFF LIKE IT'S IN 3RD GEAR. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TOO GET STUCK IN INTERSECTIONS WITH NO POWER AND NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. NISSAN IS SAYING THERE IS NO ISSUE. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY RECALL?