2016 Nissan Altima recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Nissan Altima and 554 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are power train (235), engine (86), unknown or other (81). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 26–31 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2016 ranks #11 of 14 Altima model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (469). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 4.4 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure · emergency · escape/egress/exit
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Fix: 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.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima, Its airbag light is on. diagnose say the driver side airbag has problem. Nissan has recall, but not include my VIN: [XXX]. How?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The HVAC system in my 2016 Nissan Altima produces cold air, but the airflow is not properly directed through the dashboard vents toward the occupants. Instead, the airflow is primarily directed toward the floor and windshield. This problem has continued throughout the summer of 2026. I have two children, ages [XXX] and [XXX], who ride in the vehicle. My [XXX] daughter rides in…
To recap: •Nissan manufactured defective transmissions. •Nissan granted me a warranty extension with a fleeting expiration date (2023) to shift the cost away from them. •In 2020, Nissan performed work on my car. The work they performed masked the problem, didn’t fix it. And it deferred the problem, “kicking the can down the road.” •In 2026, Nissan denied my claim for goodwill a…
Safety ratings
2016 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2016 Nissan Altima.
Altima
Auto (AV-S7) · 6 cyl · 3.5 L
Regular
Altima
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Altima SR
Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Nissan Altima, most recently for latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch (05/28/2020). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Based on 554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are power train (235), engine (86), unknown or other (81).
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima safe?
The 2016 Nissan Altima earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2016 a good year for the Nissan Altima?
The 2016 ranks #11 of 14 Altima model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (469). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 4.4 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings for the 2016 Nissan Altima range from 26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2016 Nissan Altima in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: ALTIMA, Altima.