Nissan Altima 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2016 and 553 complaints filed by owners. It's the model year with the most complaints for the Nissan Altima between 2016 and 2025.

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2016

Latches and locks
NHTSA campaign 20V315000 · 2020-05-28

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 Owner’s 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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 20V315000

Structure and body
NHTSA campaign 18V915000 · 2018-12-19

What happens

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.

Consequence

If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 18V915000

Latches and locks
NHTSA campaign 17V040000 · 2017-01-18

What happens

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.

Consequence

If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.

Remedy

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 17V040000

Air bags
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 2016-04-26

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V244000

Complaints from other owners

553 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

28 with a crash · 3 with a fire · 32 injuries · 1 deaths

Most reported problems on the Nissan Altima 2016

• Powertrain and transmission: 231 (42% of complaints)
• Engine: 86 (16% of complaints)
• Throttle and cruise control: 65 (12% of complaints)
• Air bags: 62 (11% of complaints)
• Exterior lighting: 40 (7% of complaints)

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Nissan Altima 2016

• Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
• On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
• Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
• Test cruise control and smooth throttle response.
• Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.

Safety rating (NCAP)

Nissan Altima recalls by year

• 2016 : 4 recalls · 553 complaints
• 2017 : 3 recalls · 391 complaints
• 2018 : 2 recalls · 226 complaints
• 2019 : 7 recalls · 232 complaints
• 2020 : 6 recalls · 179 complaints
• 2021 : 2 recalls · 70 complaints
• 2022 : 0 recalls · 20 complaints
• 2023 : 0 recalls · 29 complaints
• 2024 : 1 recalls · 41 complaints
• 2025 : 2 recalls · 7 complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Nissan Altima 2016 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Nissan Altima 2016?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (231 of 553 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.