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2016 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

295 reports with mileage · 258 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports17 injury reports

Power Train complaints

235 reports
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40,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Power Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BEGIN TO HESITATE

NHTSA ODI #11139876

61 miles · Oct 6, 2018
EnginePower Train

ON A MAIN ROAD, MY CAR JUMP/ JERKS GOING A LIL PAST 40MPH HOWEVER MY RPM GOES UP TO 3/4..WHILE IN IDLE AT STOP LIGHT, TO GO AFTER GREEN, PRESSING GAS, CAR DOES NOT MOVE..THEN ONCE IT MOVES( 3-5 SECS LATER AFTER PRESSING GAS) RPM JUMPS TO 3/4, BUT ONLY GOING 20MPH..THEN ONCE IN GEAR, IT'S LIKE I'M GOING FAST BUT REALLY I'M NOT

NHTSA ODI #11133645

54,220 miles · Oct 4, 2018
EnginePower Train

FIRST TIME, CAR STARTED AT 50,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR FOR 4200 MILES, REGULAR MAINTENANCE, HAD OCCASIONAL DRAG IN ACCELERATION AND RPM NEEDLE FLUCTUATION, CALLED IN AND SAID IT WAS PRETTY NORMAL DUE TO THE HEAT. RANDOMLY CAR JUTTERS AND LOSES ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT 54,000 MILES ON IN TOWN HIGHWAY ROAD. …

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FIRST TIME, CAR STARTED AT 50,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR FOR 4200 MILES, REGULAR MAINTENANCE, HAD OCCASIONAL DRAG IN ACCELERATION AND RPM NEEDLE FLUCTUATION, CALLED IN AND SAID IT WAS PRETTY NORMAL DUE TO THE HEAT. RANDOMLY CAR JUTTERS AND LOSES ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT 54,000 MILES ON IN TOWN HIGHWAY ROAD. CAR WILL NO LONGER WILL ACCELERATE BEFORE 5-6 RPMS CONSISTENTLY FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS THEN WILL KICK AND ACCELERATE. CODE PULLED READ TRNSMISSION FLUID SYSTEM EAS THE PROBLEM. TOOK CAR IN NEXT DAY AFTER FIGHTING WITH POCATELLO NISSAN KIA BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT FOR A WEEK. HAD TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. DROVE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 1500 MILES AND SAME THING BUT I CAUGHT THE DRAG AND NEEDLE FLUCTUATION SOON ENOUGH THAT THE CAR DIDN'T GET NEARLY AS BAD ON THE REGULAR IN TOWN ROADS. TOOK IT IN A SECOND TIME AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN. GOING ON 56600 MILES AND NOTICING A DRAG AND FLUCTUATION AGAIN ON IN TOWN ROADS BUT NISSAN WONT LOOK AT IT TIL THE ISSUE CAN BE REPLICATED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11133342

64,700 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED CVT JUDDER CODE: P17F0. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF MOBILE, 1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65 SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) WAS CONTACTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED CVT JUDDER CODE: P17F0. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF MOBILE, 1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65 SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CODE MEANT THAT THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,700.

NHTSA ODI #11133099

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2018
Power Train

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2017; HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY AUTOZONE FIRST WHICH ADVISED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PRESSURE FLUID SENSOR. I THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH THE NISSAN DEALER, BOMMARITO ON 661 DUNN RD IN HAZELWOOD, MO. 63042 TO FIND OUT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION …

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2017; HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY AUTOZONE FIRST WHICH ADVISED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PRESSURE FLUID SENSOR. I THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH THE NISSAN DEALER, BOMMARITO ON 661 DUNN RD IN HAZELWOOD, MO. 63042 TO FIND OUT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE BUILT, CODE P17F0. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35-40 MPH, AND THE RPMS ARE JUMPING ALL OVER. THE ESTIMATE OF REPAIR IS 4600.00 THIS CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 66,500 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT WITH APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION, AS I HAVE HAD CARS WELL OVER 120, 000 MILES AND NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THERE IS ONE MORE PERSON I AM AWARE OF WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA.

NHTSA ODI #11131794

60,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAFT NISSAN (3277 MAHAN DR, TALLAHASSEE, FL), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAFT NISSAN (3277 MAHAN DR, TALLAHASSEE, FL), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION SUB ASSEMBLY AND VALVE BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT CONSUMER STATED HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED, TWO DAYS LATER POWER STERING PUMP FAILED. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11124224

90,000 miles · Aug 24, 2018
Power Train

MY 2016 TRANSMISSION HAS AN INTERNAL ERROR. THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE 90000 HIGHWAY MILES AND IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11122211

36,900 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Power Train

RPMS WERE JUMPING UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS COASTING. EVENTUALLY (ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT) THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIWHAY AND ON SMALLER ROADS (35 MPH) ALSO. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFICS LIGHT IS WHEN IT W…

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RPMS WERE JUMPING UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS COASTING. EVENTUALLY (ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT) THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIWHAY AND ON SMALLER ROADS (35 MPH) ALSO. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFICS LIGHT IS WHEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE IT FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF IT SITTING IDOL. HAD IT TOWED.

NHTSA ODI #11121560

66,010 miles · Aug 19, 2018
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AS I APPROACHED THE RAMP, MY CAR STARTED MOVING SLOW. I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO PICK UP SPEED, MY CAR JERKED A BIT. AS I PROCEED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY IT PICKED UP SPEED. I ARRIVE AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL, STOPPED, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I HAD TROUBLE WITH MY CAR PICKING UP SPEED. PREVIOUSLY EXPERIEN…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AS I APPROACHED THE RAMP, MY CAR STARTED MOVING SLOW. I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO PICK UP SPEED, MY CAR JERKED A BIT. AS I PROCEED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY IT PICKED UP SPEED. I ARRIVE AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL, STOPPED, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I HAD TROUBLE WITH MY CAR PICKING UP SPEED. PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCING THIS SITUATION FROM AN OLD CHEVROLET VEHICLE I KNEW IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR, AND I THINK THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED MY CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, HE ASKED I BRING IT TO THE SHOP. MY MECHANIC IS AN HONEST MECHANIC IF HE IS UNABLE TO REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE, HE WILL NOT TOUCH YOUR VEHICLE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC HE DROVE MY VEHICLE HIMSELF, RETURN TO THE SHOP IN 5 MINUTES, EXPRESS TO ME, "TAKE YOUR CAR TO NISSAN RIGHT NOW! THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION YOUR VEHICLE IS TOO NEW FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES." MY 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA, I PURCHASED OCOBER 15, 2016 STARTED OUT WITH 22 MILES, I PUT THOSE 22 MILES AFTER TEST DRIVING. NOW AT 66,048 MILES, I AM FACED WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I FOUND NO FACTORY RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN FOUND TWO RECALLS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ON THE LIST. I AM DEVASTATED I READ NISSAN'S ARE THE 3RD BEST VEHICLES. MY ALTIMA IS A YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS OLD. CURRENTLY MY ALTIMA'S TRANSMISSION IS GETTING REPAIRED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11120921

40,039 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Power Train

MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AT LEAST THEY SOLD IT NEW IN JULY 2016 AT SERRA NISSAN IN BORMINGHAM AL. AND NOW 2 YEARS AS OF 2 MTHS AGO 40,000 MILES LATER . THE REPAIR SHOP HERE IN CHATTANOOGA, TN INFORMWD ME THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION OUT AND REBUILD IT, WHAT? REBUILD UT AT 40000 MILES, TH…

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MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AT LEAST THEY SOLD IT NEW IN JULY 2016 AT SERRA NISSAN IN BORMINGHAM AL. AND NOW 2 YEARS AS OF 2 MTHS AGO 40,000 MILES LATER . THE REPAIR SHOP HERE IN CHATTANOOGA, TN INFORMWD ME THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION OUT AND REBUILD IT, WHAT? REBUILD UT AT 40000 MILES, THIS IS UNREAL. PLEASE HELP. I NOLONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS COVERED STILL THANK GOD UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BUT HAVING CONFIDENCE IN A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT 40K MILEAGE IS UNHEARD OF.. BASICALLY I DROVE FROM TN TO AL CAME BACK CAR DIDNT HARDLY MOVE AFTER GETTING OFF FREEWAY AND STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, IT WAS DISGUSTING AND VERY FRUSTRATING. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER NISSAN EAST AND. MECHANIC GUY BY THE NAME OF MIKE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE TRANAMISSION OUT AND REBUILD IT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR'S TRANSMISSION HAVING TO BE REBUILT AT 40000. I HAVE OWNED PLENTY OF NEW VEHICLES NEVER EVER EXPERIENCE THIS BEFORE. LOOK LIKE NISSAN IS ON MY BLACK LIST AND CONFIDENT IN KNOWING THAT THEY PRODUCE VEHICLES WITH TERRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS AND SEEMINGLY LEMONS. CONTWMPLATING SEEKING LEGAL REPRESENTATION REGARDING THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11120188

Official recalls

4

20V315000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

May 28, 2020

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 & remedy

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 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.

18V915000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch; Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

Dec 19, 2018

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

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.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

17V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Jan 18, 2017

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 & remedy

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.

16V244000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Apr 26, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

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. 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19002 · Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Jul 29, 2019 · Closed Jun 16, 2025

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

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 were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.

PE18013 · Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Dec 1, 2018 · Closed Aug 21, 2019

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

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 registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of this date. Nissan advised that it has conducted testing to assess safety risk. Nissan states that due to low incident rate, high detectability, and low risk of adverse vehicle dynamics, it does not believe the subject lower control arm failure poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to Engineering Analysis (EA) 19-002. During the EA, ODI will continue to collect and analyze complaint and field data in its efforts to fully assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect. More importantly, ODI will also seek additional information and data regarding the potential safety consequences of rear lower control arm failure, both from evidence collected from field failures and through more rigorous and comprehensive vehicle testing to be conducted by either Nissan and/or NHTSA.The ODI reports (VOQs) cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11234334, 11234232, 11234189, 11233771, 11233234, 11232381, 11231589, 11230323, 11230184, 11229023, 11229003, 11228730, 11228651, 11228631, 11228625, 11223086, 11222602, 11222427, 11222303, 11221802, 11219943, 11217980, 11217542, 11217505, 11217290, 11210699, 11209647, 11208580, 11208274, 11207545, 11206310, 11205711, 11205461, 11203864, 11203005, 11195416, 11193545, 11193020, 11192269, 11192066, 11191270, 11191207, 11191185, 11191042, 11190360, 11190323, 11187334, 11187157, 11186747, 11186195, 11185664, 11185632, 11185589, 11183799, 11183295, 11183198, 11182705,11182528, 11182265, 11182137, 11182088, 11181373, 11181223, 11181155, 11181009, 11180126, 11176565, 11176261, 11176135, 11175821, 11172604, 11172200, 11172065, 11170019, 11169930, 11165194, 11163833, 11163489, 11162559, 11162195, 11161956, 11161497, 11161117, 11157323, 11157234, 11156772, 11141169, 11139516, 11129476, 11122829, 11114374.

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