2016 Nissan Altima Safety Report
2016 NISSAN ALTIMA Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Nissan Altima
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Nissan Altima. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (541) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 30 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Nissan Altima with 56 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Nissan Altima before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Altima Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Altima years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Nissan Altima | 375 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Altima | 934 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Altima | 217 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Altima | 210 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Altima | 165 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Altima | 56 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Nissan Altima Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Nissan Altima, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
151 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
49 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
42 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyExterior Lighting
31 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Nissan onlyPower Train,Engine
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Nissan onlyLatches/Locks/Linkages
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Altima
Reliability Score
The 2016 Nissan Altima receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Nissan Altima
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Nissan Altima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Altima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Malfunction Recalls for occupant classification sensors have been issued, affecting 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima and 2013-2018 Altima models. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Dim Headlights Headlights have dimmed over time, with recalls for headlight assemblies affecting 2016-2017 Nissan Altima models. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Hood Latch Failure Recalls have been issued for hood latches, affecting 2013-2018 Nissan Altima models. |
Medium | Occasional | 2013-2018 miles |
| Door Latch Issues Recalls have been issued for rear door latches, affecting 2015-2017 Nissan Altima models. |
Medium | Occasional | 2015-2017 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Nissan Altima:
Dimming headlights have been a common issue, affecting 31% of reported problems.
Air bag malfunctions and recalls have been a significant issue, affecting 49% of reported problems.
Hood latch failures have been reported, affecting 15% of reported problems.
Door latch issues have been reported, affecting 16% of reported problems.
Recall Details for the 2016 Nissan Altima
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Nissan Altima by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 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 1-800-8...
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 incorrec...
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. Inter...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Nissan Altima
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Nissan Altima with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes.
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 been going on for months and I have to avoid driving at night all the time because it’s so bad.
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.
Delayed gear change from 1st to 2nd/delayed acceleration 1-5 seconds mid-traffic because the car overheats soon after driving which causes the car to not properly accelerate causing more RPMs than necessary during longer drives with frequent stops (within urban/suburban areas).
This vehicle has unusually dim lights that have gotten worse over time, the local dealership told me I missed the recall on the headlight assembly
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...
Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.
Icc stopped working
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 the cost of the repair would not be covered because the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired due to ...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was running. The contact stated that the vehicle responded and returned to normal functionality after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The contact stated that the failure was more evident while driving in cold...
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 looked at the code p17f0 came up. Im still paying a 429 car note on this vehicle and can not drive it plus the Carmax Care ...
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 with NHTSA Action Number: EA19002 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined t...
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 worth. My wife could have been stranded in traffic. This is unacceptable. No warning lights appeared on the dash.
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 beneath the driver's seat. The repair quote from my local Nissan dealership ranges from $1728 to $3500, depending on the faul...
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 20...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal a second time, the vehicle responded as intended; however, the failure recurred at the next stop. The contact stated that the gas cap warning light wa...
-Nissan made their Altimas and other vehicles using a CVT transmission that was of poor design and quality. -Nissan has admitted to this in several class action lawsuits, [XXX] ) and has extended their powertrain warranty and time period as a result. -The extended powertrain warranty is to cover up until 84k miles, the mileage on the Nissan Altima in question is just over 82k, well under the mil...
Air bag indicator light turns on indicating a failure of the airbag system. I understand this disables this safety system putting all passengers at risk. The dealer advised the issue is caused by the driver seat side airbag wiring failure. From reading other users, this appears to be a common issue due to severe bends of the wiring from the connector to the airbag. To me this is a design fai...
I am writing to formally request a recall for my 2016 Nissan Altima due to a known issue with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Recently, my vehicle has exhibited concerning symptoms, including an inability to exceed 20 mph while hitting 3 RPM, and significant hesitation when accelerating, followed by abrupt lunging. Notably, these issues occurred without any prior warning lamps or ind...
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 Sr I brought into the Nissan dealership multiple times since 2022 now in 2025 at 100,000 miles to transmission is not working it's dying at intersections and oil is pouring out of the engine I was told that there was a recall that expired in April of 2023 however I was never notified about the recall despite taking my car to the Nissan dealership prior to that date ...
My 96 year old mom purchased 2016 Alltima 8 years ago. It now has 59,000 0riginal miles on it and the CVT transmission is failing we were told at the nissan service center where the car was purchased. Nissan has refused to help pay for any repairs. So 96 year old woman living on fixed income has to pay. Go back to Japan NISSAN
Showing 20 of 541 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Nissan Altima
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Suspension:Rear
Opened 2018-12-01 · Closed 2019-08-21
PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles reg...
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Component: Suspension:Rear
Opened 2019-07-29 · Closed 2025-06-16
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Altima
Has the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
The 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA has 541 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 27 involved crashes. 31 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA involve power train (151 complaints), air bags (49 complaints), unknown or other (42 complaints). Other affected components include exterior lighting, power train,engine, latches/locks/linkages.
How many crash reports does the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
There are 27 crash reports associated with the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA out of 541 total complaints (5.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA out of 541 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
31 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA is proceed with caution. It has 541 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (151 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (49 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (42 complaints), 4. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (31 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (19 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 151 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Be aware of potential air bag and lighting issues, and check for recalls. Ensure all safety features are functioning properly before driving. The 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA has 541 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 541 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 30 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag Malfunction and Dim Headlights.
What are the known issues with the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Known issues with the 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA include: Air Bag Malfunction, Dim Headlights, Hood Latch Failure, Door Latch Issues. These are based on patterns found across 541 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Yes, there are recalls for air bag sensors and headlight assemblies.
What are the common issues with the headlights?
Headlights have dimmed over time, and some have reported issues with lowbeams.
Are there any structural issues with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Yes, there have been recalls for hood and door latches, which can affect safety.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential air bag and lighting issues, and check for recalls. Ensure all safety features are functioning properly before driving.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Nissan Altima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Nissan Altima. The data includes 541 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 27 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 31 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Nissan Altima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16