YearToAvoid

2016 Nissan NV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#4 most-complained of 10 NV years

The 2016 Nissan NV has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 4th worst out of 10 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area with 4 complaints (24% share) and a median failure mileage of 40,016 miles.

Complaints
17
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2016 Nissan NV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other7 (41%)
  2. Brakes4 (24%)
  3. Electrical System2 (12%)
  4. Engine2 (12%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (12%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers2 (12%)
  7. Airbags1 (6%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor during hard stops, requiring repeated pumping to regain stopping power.
  • Some owners describe the brakes and instrument cluster failing together, with the speedometer, odometer, and check engine light acting up at the same time as brake pedal loss.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power have been reported, in some cases tied to catalytic converter and fuel pump replacement at high mileage.
  • The driver side mirror has been described as causing bad glare from dashboard lights, making it hard to see other vehicles at night.
  • One owner reported a rear side window shattering inward while the van was parked.
  • A passenger side curtain airbag was reported to deploy on its own when a door was closed while the vehicle was parked.
2016 Nissan NV complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2016Apr 2017Aug 2018Aug 2020Dec 2020Dec 2021Jul 2022
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2016 to Feb 2026; peak Dec 2021 (4).

2016 Nissan NV recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V188000Mar 30, 2020Airbags216,678 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

2016 compared with other NV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid89102—
2015Best2261—
2016Caution67171—
2017No verdict002—
2018Avoid78111—

All Nissan NV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Nissan NV reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 NV a complaint index of 67, ranking it 4th worst among 10 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the leading problem area, with a median failure mileage of 40,016 miles.
What year Nissan NV should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2014, 2018, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 89, 78, and 100 respectively. The 2016 model sits between these and the better years, rated Caution.
Does the 2016 Nissan NV have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 NV covering a manufacturing issue with the front driver air bag inflator, which Nissan replaces free of charge.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Nissan NV?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 4 of 17 complaints (24% share), with a median mileage at failure of 40,016 miles.
How does the 2016 NV compare to the 2015 NV?
The 2015 NV has a complaint index of just 22 and a Best verdict, while the 2016 NV has a much higher complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.