2016 Nissan Altima Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

To recap: •Nissan manufactured defective transmissions. •Nissan granted me a warranty extension with a fleeting expiration date (2023) to shift the cost away from them. •In 2020, Nissan performed work on my car. The work they performed masked the problem, didn’t fix it. And it deferred the problem, “kicking the can down the road.” •In…Owner complaint, filed 2026

My daughter was driving down the road and came to a 2-wayy stop. Went to pull out and the car stalled and started shuddering. On down the road leaving a red light it did the same thing and not wanting to really go.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Vehicle starts fine once the entire engine heats up is when problems start the loss of engine power until engine is able to restart resetting errors this would gradually get worse and the finaly the engine completely stalls out at one moment the computer says it’s the evap then is says cam sensor then the O2 sensor then is said it was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and after turning on the air conditioner, the vehicle intermittently stalled with no warning lights illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the check engine light was illuminated as the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 98,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have a 2016 Nissan Altima, Its airbag light is on. diagnose say the driver side airbag has problem. Nissan has recall, but not include my VIN: [XXX]. How?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2026

There is an active recall for the generic 2016 Nissan Altima OCS sensor, but it does not apply to my specific VIN apparently. This sensor is a problem with other vehicles of the same year, make, and model, but I am apparently on the hook for almost $1000 repair cost because the recall did not extend to my VIN. Again, same year, make…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was making a right turn into a McDonald's and heard engine rev and car accelerarated involuntarily and brakes not engaging to stop the car. Eventally the car hit curb and went down onto grassy slope area next to road with traffic all the time brakes not engaging to stop the car. Finally able to turn car away from roadf back onto the…Owner complaint, filed 2023

My problem: While i was leaving work returning to my apartment my car (2016 Nissan Altima S ~ 2.4L, 4 cylinder, 75k miles, Black) was operating fine nothing out of the ordinary. As I approached a stop sign and stop my car it was still acting normal. However, as i accelerated to take my turn i notice that my car wasn’t moving normal it…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal headlight failure, and it was determined that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 165,000 miles

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. A recalled was issued, but has since expired. Dealer wants to charge over 1800 to replace both headlights.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (24).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Hood popped up while driving and smashed windshield and did additional body damage. Secondary hood latch safety mechanism was non operable according to mechanic who looked at it after incident. Hood latch was replaced as part of recall in 2022. Spoke to Nissan but they are dismissing because there is no open recall and because it was…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 18V915000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 13,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 43,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 68,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was registered, but after a crash, the vehicle was totaled, and the insurance adjuster discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 130,000, and at the time…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 270,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel in the fuel tank. The contact drove to the gas station and refueled; however, the fuel gauge failed to provide the fuel level inside the fuel tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 104,000 miles

I was involved in a collision where my 2016 nissan altima sustained rear end damage, began smoking and burst into flames.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Very stiff steering at low speed (15-20 miles/h) when effecting a right or left hand turn such as lane change, almost freezing for 1 to 2 seconds. Almost got in a collision, when trying to switch lanes, because of lack of responsiveness of steering wheel. Happens intermittently , with no warning. Dealer could not find the reason for this.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. While driving various speeds, the power steering failed intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Fred anderson nissan of raleigh (9225 glenwood ave, raleigh, nc 27617, (919) 324-3443) diagnosed the vehicle, but did not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 47,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I purchased my car on march 21 2017 & I already had to change my breaks 3 times front three times & back breaks twice in less than a yearOwner complaint, filed 2018

Crank shaft sensor malfunction. My car stop on me while driving on a city street. It shook and then shut down. Very scary. I had to get push out of the street by police cause I was in the way of traffic. Someone almost ran into me.Owner complaint, filed 2017

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed about the diagnostic fees. The contact stated there was an extended warranty related to the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 96,200 miles

The contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. The contact stated that there was no seat belt for the rear passenger seat. The contact had two small children and could only strap in one child. The vehicle was taken to rockaway nissan (600 burnside ave, inwood, ny 11096, (516) 341-7384) where the contact was informed to contact the [VIN]. The…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 89,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

3 days before the incident the check engine light came on but went off the next day. I was driving home from an overnight shift on Sunday, July 5th when I heard a loud boom the car instantly began to sound like something was dragging on the ground, the car was shifting right no matter which way I turned the steering wheel. I pulled over…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was difficult to control at higher speeds. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel was misaligned, and the rear control arm was fractured and had detached. The vehicle was towed to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 211,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have a brand new 2016 nissan altima ! My son and I were on the highway headed to his school talent show! All of a sudden my car starts to shake and I hear a loud noise! I had a blow out in my freaking new car! This happened out of nowhere and certainly wasn't expected after only having this car for say ummm all of 2 months!!! I was so…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 4,500 miles

Going down the highway coming home my hood popped up and blocked my visibility I swerved off the road causing my back tire to blow out. Now my hood will not open back up, since I closed it on the highway. I got my car to my house with the spare but am not sure what to do now. I looked and apparently my car has a recall for a faulty hood…Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the radar obstruction message was displayed, causing the cruise control to deactivate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the radar was faulty and needed to be replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 70,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. On several occasions, while attempting to reverse the vehicle, the backup camera failed to operate properly. The contact stated that the picture was sometimes fuzzy or did not display at all. The vehicle was taken to fred anderson nissan of raleigh (9225 glenwood ave, raleigh, nc 27617, (919)…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 34,000 miles