MYRModel Year Report

2016 Nissan Altima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
553
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2016 553 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2002 2003: 883 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2014: 1,114 complaints 2014 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2016 553 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1995 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2001 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2007 2008: 1,029 complaints 2009: 1,547 complaints 2009 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2016 553 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2021 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2016: 553 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1993125
1994113
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021,047
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007471
20081,029
20091,547
2010381
2011241
2012426
20132,310
20141,114
2015954
2016553
2017391
2018226
2019231
2020178
202170
202230
202329
202441
20256
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

42% · 235 reports

Most commonly citing column shift and cvt.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

16% · 86 reports
CRASHINJURY

Air bags

13% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing frontal impact.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Upon impact driver's side and passenger side airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

Husband was in an accident in June. Stopped at a redlight on the city street going north, when he was hit from behind. The rear end ended up in the middle of the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07

Driver side airbags did not deploy at time of accident. Neither steering wheel nor side airbags. Driver, myself, was going with flow of traffic (40-44 MPH) on city street on the 2ND lane at 5:30 pm at time of accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-02

Vehicle speed control

12% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Nissan Altima.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-11-07

Exterior lighting

8% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and bulbs.

Show complaint excerpts

The headlights on this vehicle are very dim because of a defect by the manufacturer. The inside of the headlight has delamination and causes the lights to be very dim which is a hazardous situation when driving at night.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 553 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-06-10Air bags16V244000 Nissan North America, Inc.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2017-02-16Latches/locks/linkages17V040000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2018-12-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-21 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
  5. R
    2019-02-05Latches/locks/linkages, structure18V915000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2019-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 2025-06-16 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
  7. R
    2021-06-30Latches/locks/linkages20V315000 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.

    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 Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 235 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 86 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 70 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V244000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 18V915000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 20V315000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.