2016 Nissan Altima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Nissan Altima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 541 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2016 Nissan Altima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2016 Nissan Altima trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2016 Nissan Altima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Nissan Altima has 541 owner complaints, 27 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Altima
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 541
- Crash-related complaints
- 27
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 30
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 26 / 37
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Nissan Altima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Nissan Altima?
The 2016 Nissan Altima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Nissan Altima
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and airbag systems.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or transmission issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and airbag systems.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or transmission issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Nissan Altima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima are heavily concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain, with over 200 reports. Engine problems and airbag malfunctions also appear frequently. The data suggests potential reliability concerns, but the low confidence level means these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Transmission/drivetrain accounts for the largest share of complaints (232 out of 541).
- Engine problems (86 complaints) and airbag malfunctions (68 complaints) are also notable.
- Unintended acceleration (64 complaints) and electrical faults (42 complaints) are recurring issues.
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Engine Problems
- Airbag Malfunctions
All 2016 Nissan Altima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 232 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 86 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 80 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 68 | 11 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 64 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 42 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 39 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 28 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 27 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 11 | 4 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My headlights are not putting out very well at all. I have to drive on high beams at night to be able to see which I’m sure is disrupting others driving but when I have my lights on low beams it’s almost like my lights are off or like fog lights. It’s super dangerous. This is bee…
Drivers side window & door latch does not work. door latch has to be push in after it opens the door & window will not go now.
Delayed gear change from 1st to 2nd/delayed acceleration 1-5 seconds mid-traffic because the car overheats soon after driving which causes the car to not properly accelerate causing more RPMs than necessary during longer drives with frequent stops (within urban/suburban areas).
This vehicle has unusually dim lights that have gotten worse over time, the local dealership told me I missed the recall on the headlight assembly
Subject Safety Defect Complaint Recall Repair Refusal and Manufacturer Delay Nissan Altima 2016 My 2016 Nissan Altima is subject to a safety recall related to the hood latch cover The hood latch cover on my vehicle is defective and stuck which caused the hood to become completel…
Icc stopped working
Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with curtain air bags failure. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair, and the contact was informed that t…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was running. The contact stated that the vehicle responded and returned to normal functionality after de…
While i was driving the transmission felt as if it was slipping and didn't want to switch gears. When i stopped at a red light it didn't want to kick into drive it took like 3 -4 minutes to kick in no warning lights came on it just started messing up when I took it to get it loo…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear tire fell inside the wheel well. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. Upon investigation, the contact was able to associate the failure wit…
The transmission started slipping at 70,000 miles on the Altima, even after getting a preventative transmission service at 30,000 miles. A mechanic revealed a judder code, which means the transmission will stop working within weeks. A repair would cost more than the car is wort…
I am experiencing an issue with the airbag light on my 2017 Nissan Altima S model, which is showing code B0020. This airbag code indicates a problem with the passenger side airbag system, typically caused by damaged wiring, a malfunctioning seat sensor, or a loose connector benea…
while driving 25mph-49mph, the hood unexpectedly opened and flew back into the windshield causing the windshield to crack/shatter. No warning lights had been illuminated. Driver pulled over safely got out of the car along with 2 passengers. Driver contacted the police and had th…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal a second time, the vehicle res…
-Nissan made their Altimas and other vehicles using a CVT transmission that was of poor design and quality. -Nissan has admitted to this in several class action lawsuits, [XXX] ) and has extended their powertrain warranty and time period as a result. -The extended powertrain wa…
Air bag indicator light turns on indicating a failure of the airbag system. I understand this disables this safety system putting all passengers at risk. The dealer advised the issue is caused by the driver seat side airbag wiring failure. From reading other users, this appea…
I am writing to formally request a recall for my 2016 Nissan Altima due to a known issue with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Recently, my vehicle has exhibited concerning symptoms, including an inability to exceed 20 mph while hitting 3 RPM, and significant hesitat…
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 Sr I brought into the Nissan dealership multiple times since 2022 now in 2025 at 100,000 miles to transmission is not working it's dying at intersections and oil is pouring out of the engine I was told that there was a recall that expired in April …
My 96 year old mom purchased 2016 Alltima 8 years ago. It now has 59,000 0riginal miles on it and the CVT transmission is failing we were told at the nissan service center where the car was purchased. Nissan has refused to help pay for any repairs. So 96 year old woman living on …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Altima.
2016 Nissan Altima Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Nissan Altima. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Nissan Altima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 541 owner complaints, 27 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Nissan Altima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (232 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (86 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (80 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Nissan Altima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Nissan Altima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Nissan Altima, NHTSA complaints include 27 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 541 total complaints. 31 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Nissan Altima. A major recall area is STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Altima?▾
The 2016 Nissan Altima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Nissan Altima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.