Nissan Altima, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Nissan Altima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
4
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
554
Latest campaign
May 28, 2020

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Latches/locks/linkages2May 28, 2020
Structure1Dec 19, 2018
Air bags1Apr 26, 2016

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
May 28, 2020Latest campaign
May 28, 202020V315000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood latch

Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

DetailsHide details for campaign 20V315000
What's wrong
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.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 20V315000 · May 28, 2020
Dec 19, 201818V915000

Structure: emergency escape/egress/exit

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 18V915000
What's wrong
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.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 18V915000 · Dec 19, 2018
Jan 18, 201717V040000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors latch

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 17V040000
What's wrong
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.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 17V040000 · Jan 18, 2017
Apr 26, 201616V244000

Air bags: sensor occupant classification

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V244000
What's wrong
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.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 16V244000 · Apr 26, 2016
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Nissan recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Nissan Altima? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component554

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
554Complaints filed
28Involving a crash
3Involving a fire
32Injuries reported · 1 death
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Power train23542301
Engine8616304
Unknown or other8115417
Air bags711312115
Vehicle speed control6512405
Exterior lighting428000
Electrical system428210
Structure295305
Fuel/propulsion system275111
Latches/locks/linkages224100
Steering163100
Suspension122100
Service brakes112407
Seats102002
Visibility/wiper81100

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Air bags

    “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??”

    Filed 10/13/2026 · ODI 11770821
  • Unknown or other

    “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.”

    Filed 09/08/2026 · ODI 11762739
  • Power train

    “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.”

    Filed 08/16/2026 · ODI 11757234

Other Nissan Altima model years

Other Nissan models

2016 Nissan Altima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Nissan Altima. The most recent, 20V315000 (reported May 28, 2020), concerns latches/locks/linkages. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Nissan Altima recalls for?

The largest group is latches/locks/linkages, with 2 campaigns. Others: structure (1), air bags (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Nissan Altima?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 235 complaints out of 554 filed with NHTSA (42%). Across all complaints, owners reported 28 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Nissan Altima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Nissan recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Nissan dealer.

Check a specific Nissan by VIN

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