RoadVitals

2016 Nissan Altima Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Jul 8, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 551 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 41 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 41, in the owner's own words

AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 8, 2025

Water leak...from trunk and sunroof....electrical problems airbag light on and off.....sensor issues i paid out of pocket.

NHTSA ID
11672125
Incident
Jul 8, 2025
Electrical
Filed May 6, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 43,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 68,000.

NHTSA ID
11659187
Incident
May 6, 2025
Mileage
68,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2025
Crash reported

Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, when another vehicle suddenly appeared to drive head on, causing the contact's son to swerve, causing a collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the son's residence. The contact stated that while the insurance company was filing the insurance claim, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was 120,000 and at the time of the accident, it was discovered that the mileage was 300,000. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11655430
Incident
Mar 28, 2025
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was registered, but after a crash, the vehicle was totaled, and the insurance adjuster discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 130,000, and at the time of the crash, it was discovered that the mileage was 270,000.

NHTSA ID
11655424
Incident
Apr 8, 2025
Mileage
270,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2025

After the car warms up it will not accelerate like it should. I was stopped at a light - when I went to turn left at the light my car would not accelerate. It slowly rolled out into oncoming traffic. Like it was in limp mode or something. Then at the last minute the car jolted forward like I had the gas pedal fully depressed. Very scary and unsafe. I’ve had this happen many times. I’ve taken it in but haven’t found a solution.

NHTSA ID
11641114
Incident
Sep 17, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 30, 2024

I have had this vehicle since December 28, 2017, and during that time, the battery has been replaced nearly five times at the dealership. The reason they provided is that the battery now lasts less than two years. I have repeatedly asked them to investigate whether there might be an issue with the electrical components, but they have refused to do so, even while my vehicle was still under warranty.

NHTSA ID
11633077
Incident
Dec 25, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 22, 2023

Car will either not start or heists to start code with check engine light is P0340 for camshaft position sensor I have already replaced this once before 2yrs ago it should not need to be replaced again so soon. I have read online where others with same make and model cars having similar issues and their cars stalled while driving mine hasn't as of yet, but could when I take to mechanic shop. This is a major safety problem. There has been a recall but not for my year model car and needs to be fixed for more cars are having similar issues and is a major concern. Please look more in to this thank you.

NHTSA ID
11561517
Incident
Dec 21, 2023
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 28, 2023

Since June of 2022, my car has been in service repair a total of 10 times. Each time my check engine comes on, the diagnostic codes always involve the A/F sensor. This started at 35,000 miles and Nissan cannot figure out the issue. There are SEVERAL bulletins addressing the issue, with the most recent being 2022. The service dealership will no longer work on my car surrounding the issue. As a result of having a sensor issue that cannot be repaired, the car will periodically not respond with acceleration. I have had two VERY close calls of making a left hand turn in front of oncoming traffic with the gas pedal suddenly not responding no matter how hard it’s pressed. It’s almost as if it goes into neutral. The rpm’s increase and the engine revs, but it just won’t move. After several seconds of remaining motionless, the car then suddenly accelerates to the speed that it should. This issue is not an outlier. I contacted several people that listed their cars for sale, that stated their check engine light is on due to an 02 sensor. They all stated they have tried to get the car repaired with zero success. People then just sell the car and transfer the issue to another person. If it hasn’t already, this issue is going to kill someone. My car stalled in front of two cars coming towards me at 50 mph. Had they not stopped in time, I would have been T-boned on the drivers side. That wouldn’t have ended well. Nissan suggested I sell the car- that is their solution regarding a car that became unrepairable at 35,000 miles. Nissan did send an engineer to the dealership to inspect the car- multiple times. They do not know how to fix the issue.

NHTSA ID
11557272
Incident
Nov 20, 2023
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2023
Crash reported

I was driving on the freeway with my 6yr & 11yr daughters when my car stop accelerating and started to slow down I’ll hit the gas pedal and the RPMS will go up but the car wouldn’t advance ! I had to get off the freeway before the car completely stopped in the middle of the freeway as the velocity of the vehicle was getting slower and slower ! Take in mind I try to do this as safe as possible but my car was in the far end of the emergency lane I almost got rear ended my kids were crying scare ! I turn off the car once to the side of the freeway check the hood and nothing out of the ordinary. Turn the car back on and it was driving normal ! On the next day that’s when the check engine light turn on ! Took it to the dealer and they told me I need a complete new transmission!

NHTSA ID
11540846
Incident
Aug 24, 2023
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 21, 2023

The ASCD Switch failed while traveling > 60mph. The car lost all acceleration down to ~ 5 MPH. The car lost power to the steering.

NHTSA ID
11533634
Incident
Jul 7, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 5, 2023

2016 Nissan Altima SR has a delayed acceleration issue that nearly caused me to be broadsided while making a left turn. The issue has been ongoing for years and when taken into the dealership they claimed to not be able to reproduce the failure. This is because the issue is sporadic and unpredictable when it may occur. There are many forums I have found identifying a great deal of others experiencing the same failure. This needs to be corrected by Nissan.

NHTSA ID
11520634
Incident
May 4, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2023

It's 1 of 3 sensors possible cam shaft position sensors is what the dealership is saying, the car is currently at the dealership being dignoised this is the 3 time its been in the shop. 1st time had fuel pump replaced, than 2nd time for The car would start than stall than start again and when driving it stalled again driving. No warning lights until after car had died. No check engine lights prior either. This is the 2nd time these sensors have gone out in less than 2yrs. I just had them replaced. And the car only has 66,689 miles on it.

NHTSA ID
11500917
Incident
Dec 20, 2022
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 24, 2022

Yes. On 11/21/22 I took my client shopping it took 30 minutes to reach our destination. I unloaded her walker so she could enter the store while I parked my car. Upon parking the car I noticed two burn marks in the leather passenger seat that were not there previously and did not look any near what a cigarette burn would look like. Along with a bluish discoloration surrounding the burn marks including along seam closest to the burn marks. The heated seat function was being used at the time due to temps and clients age.10. Minutes prior to arriving at our destination the passenger asked me to turn off the seat heater on her side, which i did. As I stated it was after I helped her out of the passenger seat and parked the car that i noticed the large burn marks and discoloration. This could have caught fire and severely burned my client and/or caught my entire car on fire which I need for my job and only source of income A layman would be under the assumption that these seat heater would automatically shut off if they reached a certain temp. Now I have a 6 year old vehicle (which I kept clean and in good working order with a damaged leather front passenger seat due to some wiring defect that was not my fault

NHTSA ID
11494814
Incident
Nov 21, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 22, 2022

My car only have 85000 mile on it and it jerks sometimes and was told it was a Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance and after doing research a lot of people transmission are doing the same thing. Nissan should be made to fix the problem

NHTSA ID
11461735
Incident
Apr 14, 2022
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2021

INSTALLED A BRAND NEW BATTERY WARRANTED FOR 7 YEARS OVER A MONTH AGO AND NOW THE BATTERY WILL NOT START THE CAR AT ALL. MOST DRIVINING IS WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

NHTSA ID
11413546
Incident
Apr 23, 2021
Mileage
33,650 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2021

TRANSMISSION FAIL CODE P0774

NHTSA ID
11391012
Incident
Dec 30, 2020
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 19, 2021

ENGINE RPM IS UNCONTROLLABLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 87781 MILES NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS FAILURE BECAUSE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS MANUFACTURER FAILURE I HAVE EXCEEDED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 3K MILES AND NOW I'M IN A BAD POSITION TO DEAL WITH THIS,I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR.THIS IS VERY SHAMEFUL FOR LETTING NISSAN GET AWAY WITH THIS DEFECT,NOW WE THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY.

NHTSA ID
11388933
Incident
Jan 15, 2021
Mileage
4 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 4, 2021

WHEN IM PARRALLEL PARKING I NOTICE THAT ON OCCASSION I WOULD LOOSE POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT

NHTSA ID
11386545
Incident
Jan 4, 2021
ElectricalInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Oct 26, 2020

CAR SEATS DONT WORK PROPERLY AND WONT ADJUST. BATTERY HAS TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. CAR LIGHTS BLINKS ON AND OFF OWN ITS OWN. CAR WINT DETECT KEY. CAR WONT CRANK ST TIMES. CAR MAKES SOUND AS IF ITS SHUTDOWNING. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE HAS.

NHTSA ID
11366546
Incident
Apr 18, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 22, 2020

WHEN EVER I'M AT A LIGHT TO LONG, THE CARS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE, OR I'M IN THE DRIVE THRU THE CAR TAKES A COUPLE SECONDS TO ACCELERATE. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A REPEATED PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11360426
Incident
Sep 22, 2020
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2020

AFTER STOPPING AND GOING A DECENT AMOUNT (SUCH AS A DRIVE THRU) THE CAR HAS A DELAY OF SHIFTING GEARS AND STARTING TO MOVE AFTER COMPLETELY STOPPED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. THE RPMS WILL GO SIGNIFICANTLY UP BEFORE INCREASING SPEED. IT WILL DO THIS ON SLOW OR FAST ROADS.

NHTSA ID
11344107
Incident
Mar 10, 2020
Mileage
45,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 9, 2020

THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS ON THIS CAR- I AM GETTING SICK OF IT. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 1 REPAIRED, I WANT A GOOD DEAL FOR A TRADE-IN AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327912
Incident
Jun 9, 2020
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2020

AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, THERE CAN BE NO RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I CAN BE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN PRESS THE GAS, AND NOTHING HAPPENS, UNTIL SUDDENLY IT WILL ENGAGE AND LURCH FORWARD. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE RELAY SWITCH. THEY REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD BE THEY 'REBOOTED THE SOFTWARE', BUT AGAIN, THE CAR STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO THEY COULD DO UNLESS THERE WAS A "CODE" TO READ, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT, THERE IS NO CODE. I FEEL THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED, WAITING ON A LEFT TURN, THEN TRY TO PROCEED, AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS,THEN HAVE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326487
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
22,550 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 24, 2020

FUEL SENSOR IS NOT SHOWING FUEL LEVEL PROPERLY MOST OF THE TIME WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IF YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY THE FUEL SHOWS FULL TANK OR CLOSE TO THE FULL TANK BUT ANY TIME YOUR CAR STOPS IN MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE YOU RAN OUT OF FUEL AND YOU DON'T KNOW THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL IN YOUR VEHICLE. IF THE CAR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY THEN IT MAY CAUSE AN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11322101
Incident
Apr 2, 2020
Mileage
25,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL CONTINUOUSLY SHAKE, SURGE, VIBRATE, AND FAIL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED WITH MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE, IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I LOST COMPLETE POWER INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS, POWER STEERING, AND MOBILITY OF THE CAR. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, THE ISSUE CONTINUES, HOWEVER I AM JUST OUTSIDE OF 60,100 MILES. YES 60K MILE WARRANTY AND KNOWN CVT ISSUES. MY REAR DOOR ALSO OPENS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD IF THE WINDOW SWITCH IS TOUCHED.

NHTSA ID
11311678
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
58,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .