2016 NISSAN ALTIMA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima. This model year has 541 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2016 Nissan Altima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Nissan Altima. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| 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.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 541 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
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.
Recalls for 2016 Nissan Altima
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2016 Nissan Altima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2016 Nissan Altima has 541 NHTSA owner complaints, 27 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (232 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
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?▾
The 2016 Nissan Altima has 27 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 541 total NHTSA complaints. 31 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Nissan Altima. The largest issue: STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Altima?▾
The 2016 Nissan Altima has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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.
Check Your Specific 2016 Nissan Altima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.