The Lemon Index2016 Nissan Altima.
The 2016 Nissan Altima is better than average by owner complaints: 209 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 66, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 26 to 31 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, 17.2M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Transmission & shifter1.9M views
2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and FailureNissan CVT Fail · 502K views · 8 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight AimJames Niece · 298K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS857K views
Nissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoMINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 467K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical842K views
How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)Mcgurr Entertainment · 306K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil changes & service688K views
Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 421K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition611K views
Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Al Young Cuda · 247K views · 4 videos - Starter, alternator & belts321K views
![2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K3HOwWt1JNk/mqdefault.jpg)
2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]BeeCee Built · 196K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
How to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaTRQ · 118K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 283K views
2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXEDZimaleta Motors Mobile Mechanic · 237K views
2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 783K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 554 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Altima year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 34K to 80K miles on the car (295 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 47K–81K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 31K–77K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 22K–74K miles
Recalls 4
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
- body structure 2018
The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2016
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 323 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- NISSAN; OIL LEAKING AROUND VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin applies only to…
- NISSAN; OIL LEAKING AROUND VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin applies to…
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2019–2025
- ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The car has a problem shifting rpm runs high and when I push gas pedal down to the ground it does not have speed and rolled back going uphill from a stop due to this problem. Obdii code p0776
2016 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 11206955
More owner reports
Cracked bushings had to replace lower control arms front right and left transmission had to be replaced
NHTSA complaint 11241621
Rear door would not close properly, and would never lock. With either manuel lock or alarm key lock. Also censor lights would go offon dashboard of airbag being off when no one was sitting there.
NHTSA complaint 11220993
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (44%), airbags (15%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?
4 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Altima get?
26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,900 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 295 complaints.
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 44% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works