2016 Nissan Altima: common problems and reliability

The 2016 Nissan Altima has 544 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag cvt transmission failure: catastrophic failure requiring full replacement, often between 80,000-150,000 miles; symptoms include jerking, shuddering, loss of acceleration, lurching at low speeds, and inability to rev beyond a certain rpm. associated with multiple class-action lawsuits, especially for 2010-2020 models. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2016 model year

544
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
27
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Nissan Altima vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2016 a good year for the Altima?

Across the 6 Altima model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2022) to 1,063 (2002). With 544 complaints, the 2016 Altima sits about the same asthe model's median of 498.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
233
engine
86
air bags
68
vehicle speed control
64
electrical system
42

Recalls affecting the 2016 Altima

structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

Campaign 18V915000

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 r

latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Campaign 17V040000

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 ca

air bags:sensor:occupant classification

Campaign 16V244000

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

latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Campaign 20V315000

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 ma

What owners say across generations

Extremely negative sentiment regarding long-term reliability, dominated by widespread and severe criticism of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

  • CVT transmission failure: Catastrophic failure requiring full replacement, often between 80,000-150,000 miles; symptoms include jerking, shuddering, loss of acceleration, lurching at low speeds, and inability to rev beyond a certain RPM. Associated with multiple class-action lawsuits, especially for 2010-2020 models. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT-related problems (general): Whining noise, rubber band effect, laggy throttle response, and general concerns about long-term durability. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Altima. See the full Altima owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Altima listings typically run $16,897–$25,989 across 2010 to 2025 model years.

Other Altima model years

Compare every Altima year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Altima against its rivals