The 2016 Nissan Altima doesn’t look too bad on paper, with just four recalls and a moderate number of registered complaints. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll notice several issues are pretty serious, like a rear door that can open while driving, or a faulty transmission with a $2,000 to $5,000 repair cost.
Key Points
- Of the 343 complaints filed with the NHTSA on the 2016 Nissan Altima, almost half of them are about transmission issues, with most resulting in a new gearbox being needed, which can cost as much as $5,000.
- Nissan has issued four recalls for the 2016 Altima; the most significant affects millions of units and potentially compromises vehicle safety.
- One recall concerns an error with the Altima’s passenger airbag programming that could cause it to not deploy. Another was issued over the hood opening unexpectedly.
- A problem with the rear passenger door windows has been recalled twice for the potential of causing the passenger doors to inadvertently open.
- Three investigations, two of which are still open, look into problems like rupturing airbag inflators and fracturing suspension components.
Transmission Failure is Among the 2016 Nissan Altima’s Most Commonly Registered Owner Complaints
Upon reviewing the 343 registered NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Nissan Altima, nearly half concern transmission failure, with owners experiencing hesitation when accelerating or jerking and shuddering while driving. In extreme cases, Altima drivers noted the vehicle’s engine stalls as a result of these transmission issues. Unfortunately, not all drivers report an indicator light illuminating to warn them of the impending problem.
Transmission issues with the 2016 Altima appear with as few as 20,000-30,000 miles on the car. One owner experienced failure twice, stating the transmission was replaced around 40,000 miles and then began having issues again around 120,0000 miles.
With no recall having ever been issued by Nissan for the Altima’s transmission, the release of technical service bulletins and a class action filed against Nissan suggests this is a prevalent problem among this Altima generation.
Estimates for a new transmission range are not ideal, ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. In addition, when new, Nissan’s basic warranty covered the 2016 Altima for three years or up to 30,000 miles, with a powertrain warranty of up to five years or 60,000 miles. In an attempt to offer some reprieve for owners experiencing these transmission woes, Nissan has extended the Altima’s powertrain warranty to 84 months or up to 84,000 miles (whichever comes first) as part of the settlement of the class-action lawsuit.
2016 Nissan Altima Recalled Several Times Over Serious Safety Issues, Including a Potentially Defective Airbag Sensor
The most significant recalls issued for the 2016 Altima involve problems that could create dangerous driving conditions, including a faulty airbag sensor that could cause the airbag to not deploy in a crash. Another recall was issued for a problem with the hood unexpectedly opening while the vehicle was in motion. Yet another pertains to a problem with the Altima’s rear passenger windows, which could inadvertently open the door when the window’s control is activated.
In April 2016, the Altima was among millions of vehicles recalled by several automakers over the front seat passenger airbag. At least four Nissan models, including the 2016 Altima, make up approximately 2,000,000 of the vehicles impacted by this recall. The recall states that the passenger-side airbag’s sensor may incorrectly classify an adult as a child or classify the seat as empty despite being occupied, which, as a result, may cause the airbag to not deploy in a crash. The remedy involves dealers reprogramming the vehicle’s airbag control unit.
Unintentional Release of Primary Hood Latch While Driving Leads to Major Recall
Issued in May 2020 by Nissan, this recall impacts approximately 1.8 million Altima’s between model years 2013-2018. Per the NHTSA, corrosion to the secondary hood latch may cause it to bind and remain unlatched even if the hood is closed. The problem could lead to the hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix requires dealers installing a stronger release spring in the hood release lever.
Two Recalls Address Risk of Rear Door Opening When Power Window is Lowered
Involved in two separate recalls, one in 2017 and one in 2018, the rear passenger doors on the 2016 Nissan Altima may inadvertently open when lowering the rear windows. When the recall was initially issued, Nissan stated the Altima’s latch-lock cables may not have been routed properly in the rear door. Because of this, the cable may interfere with the window regulator and cause the rear passenger door to unlatch and open when the mechanism is lowered to open the window.
Once owners are notified, vehicles brought to dealers will be fixed free of charge. The latch-lock cables will be corrected, which should prevent this issue from recurring. Unfortunately, this issue continued to persist and the recall for the latch-lock cable was reissued. Nissan said the cable may not have been routed properly once the remedy was applied.
2016 Nissan Altima’s Two Open Investigations Look Into Rupturing Airbag Inflators and Faulty Rear Control Arms
Three investigations have been opened on the 2016 Altima, two of which are still being looked into. The closed issue concerned a faulty rear control arm that could weaken and crack due to road salt and other grime. Unfortunately, one of the open investigations, launched in July of 2019, looks into this same problem again. The second open investigation concerns the notorious Takata airbags, which use propellents in the inflators that can degrade over time and rupture during deployment. Serious, and even fatal injuries have occurred from this problem, making it a strong point of consideration when looking at a 2016 Altima.
2016 Nissan Altima’s Reported Transmission Issue and Worrisome Safety Recalls Make the Model a Questionable Purchase
While the 2016 Altima offers good fuel efficiency and advanced active safety features, the mid-size sedan’s transmission problems and dangerous safety recalls prevent its value from truly being realized. Despite the transmission class-action lawsuit settlement, owner complaints suggest subsequent transmission failure is possible. Given the use of a CVT in the 2016 Altima, careful consideration should be given to ensure proper maintenance was followed and any recalls handled. However, it may be best to look at other mid-size sedans.
Photos: Nissan
