FaultScore

2016 Nissan Altima other reported problems

80 of the 790 complaints about the 2016 Nissan Altima are about the other systems — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.

C

80

Complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 80 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Nissan Altima year

1997 10 0.7%
2002 23 1.6%
2003 25 1.7%
2005 60 4.2%
2006 64 4.4%
2007 37 2.6%
2008 199 13.8%
2009 146 10.1%
2010 70 4.9%
2011 40 2.8%
2012 56 3.9%
2013 240 16.6%
2014 83 5.8%
2015 93 6.4%
2016 80 5.5%
2017 62 4.3%
2018 60 4.2%
2019 48 3.3%
2020 35 2.4%
2021 12 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Belmont, NH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11721268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dublin, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 completely locked shut This defect creates a serious safety hazard because the hood could unexpectedly open while driving putting me my family and other road users at risk I contacted and visited two authorized Nissan dealers multiple times to have the recall repair performed Both dealers refused to repair the vehicle unless I personally opened the hood first I explained that the hood cannot be opened due to the recall related defect and that attempting to force it open is unsafe The dealers still refused to perform the recall repair I then contacted a third party service AAA but they refused to work on the vehicle stating that opening or driving the vehicle with a compromised hood is extremely dangerous and that this issue must be handled by the manufacturer and its authorized dealers I contacted Nissan North America directly to seek assistance Instead of resolving the issue Nissan has repeatedly delayed action stating that my case is still pending dealer approval I have been told many times that there would be updates but no solution has been provided I was informed multiple times that the case is delayed and that there is currently no resolution available As of today my vehicle has been undrivable for more than one and a half months due to this unresolved safety defect I am afraid to drive the vehicle because it poses a real danger to my safety and the safety of my family This situation has caused significant stress and hardship I am filing this complaint with NHTSA because an authorized dealer is refusing to perform a required safety recall repair

NHTSA complaint #11715159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OLD Bridge, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

while driving 25mph-49mph, the hood unexpectedly opened and flew back into the windshield causing the windshield to crack/shatter. No warning lights had been illuminated. Driver pulled over safely got out of the car along with 2 passengers. Driver contacted the police and had the car towed to the nearest auto body shop. calling NISSAN on monday 9/22/25. seems like there was a MAJOR recall in 2020 (HOOD LATCH RECALL, that states the hood may open without warning while driving and could obscure the driver’s vision, increasing the risk of a crash.)that this vehicle was not part of but exact thing happend that was stated as reason for recall.

NHTSA complaint #11688611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lansdale, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On April 15, 2025, I purchased a pre-owned 2016 Nissan Altima with just under 51,000 miles. Less than two months later, the vehicle’s transmission failed. A diagnostic revealed the issue is with the CVT transmission, a well-documented defect in many Nissan models. When I contacted Nissan to file a claim under what I thought would be warranty protection, I was denied because the extended warranty period had technically expired. However, I was not the vehicle owner during that warranty period, and the defect had not presented itself until now. I am now left to pay thousands of dollars to replace a part that Nissan has previously acknowledged as faulty. This is not simply a warranty issue—it’s a case of a known manufacturer defect causing harm to a consumer who acted in good faith. As a working-class family of six, we cannot absorb this kind of financial blow—especially when it is due to a failure Nissan has seen repeatedly in their CVT-equipped vehicles. I am requesting that the Attorney General’s office investigate this matter and advocate for Nissan to take responsibility by covering 100% of the repair costs. I honestly do not understand why this faulty transmission issue has not warranted a recall. The sudden and unexpected inability to continue acceleration is an extremely dangerous occurrence that can lead to a collision resulting in fatality or paralyzation.

NHTSA complaint #11665660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spiro, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Headlights staying dim to the point of not being able to see after dark even after replacing the headlights

NHTSA complaint #11618191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sugar Land, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

the systems I-key message is coming on because the hood latch. the recall only bent or greased the latch and didn't replace it. dealer wont take the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11595753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fredericksburg, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Nissan has had quite a few recalls on their hood latch. The most recent one was in 2022. My car was checked in 2022, but now two years later I’m having another issue with the hood latch. While Nissan does not want to open a recall to not lose money, there is definitely another recall issue. At the moment there are 149 hood latches on back order and no one is able to get one. There was more than one customer in Nissan complaining of a hood latch issue. I went back-and-forth with Nissan for weeks , and they just kept telling me that they cannot help me. I would have to pay out-of-pocket. if there are absolutely no hood latches available to anyone anywhere is there not an issue on the hood latch?

NHTSA complaint #11582387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car stalls/shuts down while driving and while idle. I’ve had the alternative replaced 3 times within 2 years. After about 8-10 after having the alternative replaced it starts to stall/shut down again. There is definitely an error with the alternator system in these cars. Avd a recall needs to be assessed.

NHTSA complaint #11581780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eustis, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving today 3/2/24 and speed was about 40-50 and suddenly/randomly the vehicle would do a jerk once it got to about 50 and the rpm’s would jump up between 2-3 and quickly drop back down to normal. I was not pressing the gas hard or a lot just lightly and also the jerking would happen if I was going down in speed from like 60-50 it would randomly jerk again and rpm’s would increase and go back down. Would do this off and on. No check engine lights or any lights what so ever we’re out up on the dash either which made it odd that my car was acting up. My vehicle only has 59,300 miles and has been serviced strictly at dealer for oil and transmission and I have been told that Nissan and their CVT transmissions are no good and transmissions can suddenly “die” on you for no apparent reasoning. Online searches let me to forums that discuss this being a common issue although Nissan has never done any form of recalls. This poses a safety concern in that the car is jerking and rpm’s go crazy for a moment. My vehicle also after being stopped at a traffic light today did not want to accelerate and “go” when I pressed the gas. I creeped up to 20 mph while rpm’s increased and then all of a sudden the car jerked and I was back in motion. I have owned my car since brand new and never have I had any issues.

NHTSA complaint #11575059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pryor, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car will either not start or heists to start code with check engine light is P0340 for camshaft position sensor I have already replaced this once before 2yrs ago it should not need to be replaced again so soon. I have read online where others with same make and model cars having similar issues and their cars stalled while driving mine hasn't as of yet, but could when I take to mechanic shop. This is a major safety problem. There has been a recall but not for my year model car and needs to be fixed for more cars are having similar issues and is a major concern. Please look more in to this thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11561517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

He

NHTSA complaint #11544469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Decatur, AL Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Shaking upon acceleration

NHTSA complaint #11542246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hood flew open smashing windshield while driving on the highway. Windshield, hood & both front fenders damaged

NHTSA complaint #11528403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poplarville, MS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have the 2016 Nissan Altima with only 128000 miles and the transmission went out on a exit highway and all of a sudden I no power. I could have gotten killed and not been able to write this. It scared me because I almost didn't have time for the cars that were headed towards me. No it didn't happen and its a big what if but Nissan knows the CVT transmission are going out and costing us Thousands ( $5000 ) to be accurate and who's got that kind of money to fix it. I'm devastated because its my only car and I just don't have that kind of money. When I bought this car $128000 in December 2021 I had no idea what I would have to face so if this helps anyone , like me , to check to see if it has the CVT transmission before they buy it because it could get someone killed. thank you , [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11527509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vancleave, MS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2016 Nissan Altima SR has a delayed acceleration issue that nearly caused me to be broadsided while making a left turn. The issue has been ongoing for years and when taken into the dealership they claimed to not be able to reproduce the failure. This is because the issue is sporadic and unpredictable when it may occur. There are many forums I have found identifying a great deal of others experiencing the same failure. This needs to be corrected by Nissan.

NHTSA complaint #11520634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Transmission went out at 59000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11514739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11510239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oak Park, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My CVT transmission failed on my 2016 Nissan Altima. I almost had an accident on the expressway. These transactions fail often on these Nissans. My warranty has expired. Nissan refused to compensate me. There needs to be a recall on them.

NHTSA complaint #11481857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Altamonte Springs, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Delayed acceleration when placing foot on gas pedal , eventually acceleration completely went out, took car to dealership to get fixed was told cvt transmission needed replacement in order to fix problem, got replaced lasted about 3 weeks and vehicle again is delaying in acceleration when gas pressed down

NHTSA complaint #11474355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmville, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My vehicle stalls whenever I am stopped, and will not move , then it accelerate really fast, sometimes it loses speeds in which I can not accelerate the vehicle. I have taken this vehicle to 3 mechanical shops and no can tell me what the problem is. I have had this problem since I purchased the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11474165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Billings, MT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car hesitates accelerating. After coming to a complete stop, when the gas pedal is pressed, the car will not go. This happens after in town driving for about 20 min or so when it stops and goes, stops and goes. The gas pedal will be pressed and the rpms will be going up but the car just sits there until all of a sudden taking off. No warnings appear. I explained issues to service techs at Nissan and they were able to replicate it and attempted to repair but it is doing it again less than a month later. It has been very dangerous especially when trying to merge into oncoming traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11472238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longview, WA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2016 Altima is experiencing a sporadic delay when accelerating from a stop. It won’t rev or do anything for a couple of seconds no matter how far down the pedal is. Then all of a sudden it’ll go. There is no check engine light and no codes. If I turn the car off, it’s like it resets and has more power afterwards.

NHTSA complaint #11463468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridge City, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car only have 85000 mile on it and it jerks sometimes and was told it was a Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance and after doing research a lot of people transmission are doing the same thing. Nissan should be made to fix the problem

NHTSA complaint #11461735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The transmission has went out twice on this car, this will be the second time. It is dangerous and a major safety issue for me to drive my car especially with children in it. I can be at a red light and on the highway etc. it’s very slow to accelerate that can cause an accident and other things. It drives very slowly on highways and on the road. It jerks and everything that causes me to have anxiety attacks etc. 3 months after I brought the car the transmission went out and 2 1/2 years later it’s going out again. I need my car to run properly and to be safe for me and my children.

NHTSA complaint #11458897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My door locks all failed and do not lock when I get to speed or at all. My previous Nissan Altima was a 2011 Model and I had the same issues with multiple actuators replaced that failed to solve the problem. This is an obvious defect that was not fixed in at least Models 2011-2016. I feel this is a safety risk when doors will not lock when driving and also a safety risk when someone jumps in your car when you thought doors were locked. I actually had people jump in my car trying to get money multiple times that put me at risk and this is a problem that should be fixed by Nissan at no charge for all consumers between these year models for failing to fix obvious defective locks.

NHTSA complaint #11454283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I just purchased the car , they won’t service the car under there warranty so I decided to search the vin to find there is unresolved recall with the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11444927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Converter in transmission gave out and shot metal shreds into transmission and I had to replace the transmission

NHTSA complaint #11441210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dixon, NM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Delayed acceleration issue. I am stopped at a light or in traffic and I press on the gas to go and it does nothing at all. This is occurring at various intervals...it just happens. I have been stopped to cross intersection and when light turns green, the car does not go at all for several seconds, 6-10 seconds. No warning lights are on. I have read this is a known problem for Nissan and there is no recall or action taken on their part. How many people have to be hurt or potentially killed before action is taken. I have taken it to the dealer and they cannot reproduce problem because it does not happen all the time and their is not error or warning code.

NHTSA complaint #11439748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Guthrie, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My would stall at every stop I made. Would barely pick up speed. My first experience with it was on the highway and I had to put my hazard lights on and turn my car on and off to get it on the side of the road. I then called a Nissan dealership to see what’s wrong but they told me I needed a whole new transmission Was just recently informed that transmissions are prone to fail online. I purchased this car in April 2020 it’s only September 2021. But most definitely there needs to be a recall I could’ve been hit seriously.

NHTSA complaint #11434189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gainesville, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving the car was driving fine. No indicator lights came on to warn me. I drove to my cousin house. And when I turned the car off my doors didn’t unlock like they usually do. I tried to turn the car back on I wouldn’t do anything. The whole time my windows was up. I was stuck in the car . I had to climb out through my trunk. That is dangerous.

NHTSA complaint #11429819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2016 Nissan Altima problems

← Full 2016 Nissan Altima report