Nissan · Altima · 2016
2016 Nissan Altima
4
Recalls
541
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Nissan Altima has 4 recalls and 541 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (151 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Nissan Altima page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 151 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2016 Nissan Altima reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Nissan Altima currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 541 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (151), air bags (49), unknown or other (42).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Nissan Altima
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 541
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.3% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V315000May 28, 2020
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V915000December 19, 2018
STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V040000January 18, 2017
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V244000April 26, 2016
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
541 totalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 13, 2026
My headlights are not putting out very well at all. I have to drive on high beams at night to be able to see which I’m sure is disrupting others driving but when I have my lights on low beams it’s almost like my lights are off or like fog lights. It’s super dangerous. This is bee...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 28, 2026
Drivers side window & door latch does not work. door latch has to be push in after it opens the door & window will not go now.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 9, 2026
Subject Safety Defect Complaint Recall Repair Refusal and Manufacturer Delay Nissan Altima 2016 My 2016 Nissan Altima is subject to a safety recall related to the hood latch cover The hood latch cover on my vehicle is defective and stuck which caused the hood to become completel...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 21, 2025
Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Nov 23, 2025
Icc stopped working
POWER TRAIN
Nov 20, 2025
While i was driving the transmission felt as if it was slipping and didn't want to switch gears. When i stopped at a red light it didn't want to kick into drive it took like 3 -4 minutes to kick in no warning lights came on it just started messing up when I took it to get it loo...
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SUSPENSION
Oct 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear tire fell inside the wheel well. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. Upon investigation, the contact was able to associate the failure wit...
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AIR BAGS,SEATS
Sep 25, 2025
I am experiencing an issue with the airbag light on my 2017 Nissan Altima S model, which is showing code B0020. This airbag code indicates a problem with the passenger side airbag system, typically caused by damaged wiring, a malfunctioning seat sensor, or a loose connector benea...
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AIR BAGS
Sep 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with curtain air bags failure. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair, and the contact was informed that t...
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POWER TRAIN
Sep 23, 2025
The transmission started slipping at 70,000 miles on the Altima, even after getting a preventative transmission service at 30,000 miles. A mechanic revealed a judder code, which means the transmission will stop working within weeks. A repair would cost more than the car is wort...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 541 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Altima Years
2017 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r377c2015 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.10r938c2018 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r219c2014 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.8r1,104c2019 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.7r215c2013 Nissan AltimaCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.12r2,302c
More 2016 Nissan Models
2016 Nissan RogueAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.7r534c2016 Nissan SentraAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.6r265c2016 Nissan TitanAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.3r194c2016 Nissan MaximaAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.8r141c2016 Nissan MuranoAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.5r106c2016 Nissan PathfinderAnother 2016 Nissan option for same-year comparison.2r105c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?
The 2016 Nissan Altima has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has received 541 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The 2016 Nissan Altima received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Nissan Altima are power train (151 reports), air bags (49 reports), unknown or other (42 reports).
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.