The Nissan Altima does just enough to keep it floating around the mid of the pack of the every affordable “compact car” segment. Just enough space in the cabin, refined handling, and safety scores. In terms of complaints though, it has 4 recalls, 3 open investigations, and 367 complaints. A lot of the complaints, a recall, and an open investigation are related to the airbags system. Other major complaints include the doors and trunk integrity being compromised. Hoes does the Altima 2016 fair to the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Ford Fusion. This article aims to give you just that answer.
2016 Nissan Altima User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Problems
- Engine won’t shutdown- Various users have stated that the engine just won’t shut down despite giving it a reasonable time. Most professionals stated that the reason is with malfunctioning alternator and battery, issues were resolved by the dealership at times. Others also had the issues of engine losing motive power on its own at random intervals, reasons are unknown as of now.
- Brakes failure- Brakes failed for some users, causing crashes as well for some. The reasons are yet to be professionally diagnosed and provided.
- Transmission troubles- The transmission tends to hesitate when switching gears and is physically felt throughout the cabin. Alongside at times with the transmission hesitate it would rev up unnecessarily and jerk the cabin around a lot. The transmission computation system is also problematic causing the transmission to fail. Many had to change the system to get the powertrain working again.
- Power steering- Some users have stated that their power steering system fails at random intervals, and no further information is available.
Electrical Problems
- Electrical malfunction an array of issues- Cruise control, odometer, and battery failures were the most common issues faced in the Altima 2016 in terms of electrical issues. The cruise control failure is especially concerning as one report stated that it lead to a crash. The airbag light and sensory failure were the most common ones, Nissan is aware of this issue arising due to OCS errors, hence initiating a recall against NHTSA ID: 16V244000.
- Accelerator response is off- The accelerator tends to take its sweet time giving an apt response to the driver’s action and at times the vehicle jerks as well after a long wait for the vehicle to accelerate. The reason behind this is still unclear.
Safety Problems
- Airbags failure to deploy- Failure of airbags to deploy was stated by various users. This could be due to the OCS failure preventing apt airbag deployment which Nissan has initiated a recall against NHTSA ID: 16V244000
Exterior Problems
- Doors and trunk fail to lock in place- Multiple users have stated that their trunk and hoods fly open while the vehicle is in motion. As well as the doors flunk opening when the windows are lowered. Both these issues are due to compromised integrity of the trunks and hoods, along with improper cable routing on the doors; which Nissan is already aware of and has initiated multiple recalls against NHTSA ID: 20V315000, 17V040000 & 18V915000.
2016 Nissan Altima Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional remarks. |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
May 28, 2020 |
20V315000 |
Unintentional Release of Primary Hood latch. |
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time. |
Your dealership will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owner Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, all for free. |
|
2 |
December 19, 2018 |
18V915000 |
Rear door might open when windows are lowered. |
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. |
Nissan dealership will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure with no cost to you. |
|
3 |
January 18, 2017 |
17V040000 |
Rear door might open when windows are lowered |
The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicle may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open. |
Your dealership will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. |
|
4 |
April 26, 2016 |
16V244000 |
Passenger airbag may not deploy due to OCS error. |
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 deployed in the event of a crash. |
Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in your Altima for free. |
Should you buy the 2016 Nissan Altima
It depends. The 2016 Nissan Altima is a great affordable compact vehicle, in terms of problems, leaving the airbags, there are no other major safety concerns that most users of the 2016 Altima have faced. So, if you're purchasing a 2016 Nissan Altima you just have to ensure that the airbag system is functioning as required, the OCS system is recorrected, and that the trunks, hoods, and door locks are checked and fixed if necessary. The 2016 Toyota Camry can be a good alternative choice too, with fewer complaints and no open investigations as of this writing date.
