CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Nissan Altima body problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Nissan Altima have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 35,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Altima | 28 |
| 2013 Altima | 99 |
| 2014 Altima | 36 |
| 2015 Altima | 45 |
| 2016 Altima (this page) | 22 |
| 2017 Altima | 17 |
| 2019 Altima | 3 |
| 2020 Altima | 5 |
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THEFT ALARM SOUNDS WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED, UNLOCKED, OR DOOR/TRUNK OPENED IF YOU CONFIRM Intermittently, the theft alarm triggers (horn sounds and lights flash) when one of the following occur: - Using the lock, unlock, or trunk open function on the Intelligent Key - Pushing a handle request switch (door or trunk) - Opening a door or the trunk with the vehicle unlocked and CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) shows the last item to trigger the theft alarm is BATTERY. - Refer to Check Last Item to Trigger Theft Alarm on the next page. ACTION Replace the Body Control Module (BCM). - Refer to the Electronic Service Manual, section BCS-Body Control Systems, for replacement information. - Use the new BC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of latching failures across multiple body components. Hood latches stick shut or pop open during highway driving, damaging windshields and fenders—sometimes dealers refused to perform the recall repair because the hood was already stuck. Door latch-lock cables routed improperly allow doors to swing open when windows are lowered or while driving at speed; one owner reported a child's door opening on a highway. Window mechanisms failed in tandem with door problems. A few owners cite independent issues: one sunroof exploded spontaneously at 55 mph on a clear highway; another found trunk sealant had melted under Texas heat; a sun visor detached mid-drive.
Recall campaigns 20V315000, 18V915000, and 17V-040 address these latch problems, but availability delays kept vehicles in the shop for weeks or longer, and at least one repair did not resolve the underlying issue. Dealer service responsiveness has been inconsistent—some refused work without owner intervention, others went radio-silent. Nissan's corporate response included long delays and missed recall distribution.
Same Nissan Altima body reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Hood latch failure / hood opening while driving
Hood latch or secondary latch defect causing hood to open unexpectedly during highway driving, striking windshield and damaging hood and fender panels. Multiple owners report the hood becoming stuck shut or unlatching entirely. Related to NHTSA recalls 20V315000 and potentially 18V915000.
When: 47,400 miles; various speeds (40–65 mph); in-service operation
Symptoms owners cite: Hood opens suddenly while driving; Hood becomes completely locked shut; Hood unlatches while on highway; Windshield struck and shattered by hood; Hood and fender damage; Secondary latch mechanism fails
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), NHTSA Campaign 18V915000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers refused to perform recall repair on stuck-hood vehicle; parts unavailable for extended periods delaying repair completion. Windshield repair performed at independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaigns 20V315000 and 18V915000 issued; dealers initially lacked parts and refused service when hood was stuck shut. Nissan North America delayed action for over 1.5 months; dealership repair delays exceeded reasonable timeframes.
Door latch failure / door opening while driving or lowering window
Latch-lock cable routed improperly in front passenger, rear passenger, or rear driver-side doors, causing doors to unlatch or open unexpectedly when window is lowered or during highway driving. One report: right-side door will not open from inside when stationary.
When: Various mileages (74,000 noted); occurs during window lowering or highway driving at 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens independently while lowering window; Door opens while driving on highway; Door will not close properly; Door will not open from inside while parked; Door requires multiple closes to lock properly; Latch cable interference with window regulator
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V-040 / 17V040000 (Door latch/window issue), NHTSA Campaign 18V915000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 17V-040 performed on one vehicle but door issue still failed post-repair. Owner unable to trust vehicle following incident where child's door opened on highway.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V-040 issued 01/18/2017; dealer and owner initially unaware. Nissan refused buyback, citing recall in place. Recall repair performed but did not resolve issue.
Window regulator / window control failure
New vehicle left-passenger window would not lower; subsequent door opening incident related to window mechanism. Post-recall repair, rear passenger window still found down after highway driving, suggesting ongoing window or latch issue.
When: Day of purchase (11/2016); 03/2017; post-recall repair still failed
Symptoms owners cite: Left passenger window would not go down (new vehicle); Door opened when window was lowered while driving; Rear passenger window found down after highway driving despite repair
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V-040 / 17V040000
Repairs/costs cited: Three-plus weeks dealer repair with no communication; post-recall repair on 17V-040 still did not resolve window issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V-040 performed; however, issue recurred post-repair.
Sunroof explosion
Sunroof spontaneously exploded while vehicle was driving at highway speed on clear, open stretch of road with no external hazards or overhead obstructions.
When: During highway driving at 55 mph, 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof exploded spontaneously; Occurred on clear stretch of highway with no overpasses or bridges
Sun visor detachment
Sun visor detached and obscured the driver's view while vehicle was in operation.
When: 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor detached; Obscured driving view
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Trunk sealant degradation / melting
Off-white sealant used throughout trunk interior degraded and melted under high ambient temperature, melting rubber mat underneath. Owner suspected potential fire hazard.
When: High ambient temperature (110 degrees Fahrenheit in Texas)
Symptoms owners cite: Sealant melted; Rubber mat melted; Potential fire hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated body shop would need to investigate; vehicle in service 7+ days. Possible trunk replacement needed.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2016 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 30,000 and 50,345 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 50,345. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.