2016 Nissan Altima Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 5 — 2013–2018.

20152017
Complaints
778
per 10K Sold
25.3
US Sales
307,380
Crashes
43
Fires
4
Injuries
52
Fatalities
1
Recalls
4

Worst 2016 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1229 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:64,226 mi
Crash-related:3
#286 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:55,015 mi
Crash-related:3
#367 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:49,564 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Nissan Altima.

Transmission / Drivetrain
229
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
64,226
Engine Problems
86
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
55,015
Airbags
67
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,564
Unintended Acceleration
63
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
56,895
Electrical Faults
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
31,457
Headlight/Taillight Failures
35
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,289
Fuel System
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,509
Body Structure
23
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
30,381
Latches / Locks
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,446
Steering Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,877
Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
52,507
Seat-Related Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,130
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
78,100
Wipers & Visibility
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
30,912
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
54,767
Electronic Stability Control
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,014
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
49,640
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Frontal Impact
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Hand Heater:Wiring Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

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.

Recalls for 2016 Nissan Altima

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,810,773 vehicles.

20V315000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~1,831,818 affected

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.

18V915000Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~341,003 affected

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.

17V040000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~341,005 affected

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.

16V244000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~3,296,947 affected

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.

Other Nissan Altima Years

2016 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 Nissan Altima has 778 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 229 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (229 complaints, avg 64,226 mi); Engine Problems (86 complaints, avg 55,015 mi); Airbags (67 complaints, avg 49,564 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 57,012 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima include 43 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 52 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,810,773 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Altima?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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