2016 Nissan Altima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Nissan Altima ranks 8th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 65 and 553 complaints, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 42% of complaints, with 4 recalls on file, including an airbag non-deployment recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Altima years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 553
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 28
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 1
Top 2016 Nissan Altima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain235 (42%)
- Engine127 (23%)
- Electrical System83 (15%)
- Other81 (15%)
- Airbags70 (13%)
- Structure & Body57 (10%)
- Fuel System30 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (3%)
- Steering16 (3%)
- Brakes15 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or rear-end collisions, including deer strikes at highway speed, leaving occupants without protection.
- Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving, cutting throttle response and dash lights before restarting on its own seconds later.
- Vehicle catches fire after a rear-end collision, with smoke and flames reported from the engine area.
- Electrical system failure causes the car to die at a stoplight, followed by smoke and flames from under the hood that destroy the engine.
- Cruise control fails to disengage or respond to braking, leading to a crash into another vehicle.
- Hood latch recall issue causes the hood to fly open while driving, shattering the windshield.
2016 Nissan Altima recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V315000May 28, 2020Structure & Body1,831,818 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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.
Risk: 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 OwnerÂs 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.
- NHTSA 18V915000Dec 19, 2018Structure & Body341,003 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V040000Jan 18, 2017Structure & Body341,005 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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.
Risk: 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.
2016 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Altima has a complaint index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Altima years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 42% of complaints (235 of 553), with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles overall.
- Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Altima, covering airbag control unit reprogramming and structure/body issues like hood latches and rear door latch-lock cables.
- Are there airbag problems on the 2016 Altima?
- Yes. NHTSA complaints describe airbags that failed to deploy in crashes, including deer strikes, and a 2016 recall (16V244000) addressed airbag control unit reprogramming.
- How does the 2016 Altima compare to other years?
- The 2016 Altima's complaint index of 65 is lower than 2013 (100), 2009 (95), and 2014 (90), all rated Avoid, but higher than Good or Best years like 2018, 2021, and 2022.