2016 Nissan Altima problems
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car manufactured by Nissan since 1992. It is a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1955.
The Altima has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The first through fourth-generation cars were manufactured exclusively in the United States and officially sold in North and South America, along with the Middle East and Australia. For other markets, Nissan sold a related mid-size sedan called the Nissan Teana which was between the Altima and Maxima in terms of size. In 2013, the Teana became a rebadged version of the fifth-generation Altima.
The name "Altima" was originally applied to a top trim line of the Nissan Leopard for the Japanese market in 1986, and then to the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in Central America and the Caribbean before 1992. In 1992, Nissan discontinued the Stanza which was a Nissan Bluebird clone, replacing it with the US-built Altima, while remaining a compact car. The first Altima was produced in June 1992, as a 1993 model. All Altima models for the North American market were built in Smyrna, Tennessee, until June 2004, when Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant also began producing the model to meet high demand.
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Common 2016 Nissan Altima problems
The 2016 Nissan Altima, a popular choice for those seeking a blend of sportiness and comfort, is known to have several common problems that potential buyers should be aware of. These issues primarily revolve around the transmission, engine, and interior accessories.
Transmission Failure:
The most common problem with the 2016 Nissan Altima is transmission failure.
Engine Issues:
Another common problem with the 2016 Nissan Altima is engine problems, which can result in a loss of power and prevent the vehicle from moving under its own power.
Interior Accessory Issues:
The 2016 Nissan Altima also has issues with interior accessories, specifically the seats.
To avoid buying a used 2016 Nissan Altima with these problems, it's recommended to use the power of a test drive and a local mechanic to ensure that there are no hidden issues.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The 2016 Nissan Altima is a practical, fuel-efficient midsize sedan with its fair share of reliability concerns. Common problems include Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) failures, delayed acceleration, and airbags that may fail to deploy in a crash.
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
About 350 complaints have been received by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association regarding the 2016 Nissan Altima. Roughly 50% of those complaints are about the transmission.
What is the biggest problem with Nissan Altima?
Most Common Nissan Altima Problems
- Failed Crankshaft Sensor. One of the most commonly reported Nissan Altima problems is related to the crankshaft or camshaft sensor. ...
- Transmission Issues. ...
- Acceleration Problems. ...
- Catalytic Converter. ...
- Engine Start.
What is the suspension problem on a 2016 Nissan Altima?
On some 2013- 2018 Nissan Altimas and some 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles, one of the rear lower suspension links may corrode and separate at the bushing joint area. Customers may notice a knocking or rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle or observe wheel misalignment on the rear wheel(s) if the link separates.
2016 Nissan Altima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Altima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Air bags problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Nissan Altima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Nissan Altima
The NHTSA has received 495 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Nissan Altima. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Nissan Altima vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP2GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: While driving on interstate 80 RPM started fluctuating as the MPH started decreasing. I had to pull to the side of the freeway and drive at 5mph because that’s all it would let me do. Car had to be towed from Colfax California to the AAMCO in Auburn, California. Had to rent a car that cost me $609. I found out today that the transmission needs to be replaced and the cost will be $6949.03.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP1GC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Headlights staying dim to the point of not being able to see after dark even after replacing the headlights
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-25
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP2GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The transmission failed in the middle of a traffic controlled intersection. I was almost hit a few times (flashers engaged). No motion was possible in either direction. Was later replaced at a cost of $6100 by a local transmission shop.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-26
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP9GN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated independently. On several occasions, the vehicle stalled and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 113,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-10
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP6GC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Air bag sensor light comes on; took to Nissan Glen Burnie MD dealership and believed they rectified the issue (removing debris) and did a reset. Light came back on and took it to Nissan Bowie MD and they could not determine the cause and did a reset. Light came back on and took it to Nissan Bowie MD and B0020-13 code was returned resulting in having to replace seat and sensor (no issue with wiring found). Contacted Nissan after seeing many other complaints for same issue with Altima sensor. No help from Nissan since they don't have it listed for a recall. This represents a major safety issue as my understanding is the air bag is not active when the light is on.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP9GC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Accident Description: On August 2024, a 2016 Nissan Altima SL was being driven at a low speed through a residential neighborhood under clear and dry conditions. The ambient temperature was between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Without any prior warning or external impact, the vehicle's airbag system suddenly and unexpectedly deployed. Both the driver and front seat passenger, who were wearing seat belts. Additionally, the vehicle's door locks appeared to malfunction, impeding the passenger's exit. The vehicle has approximately 76,000 miles and is not currently under recall. Component or System Failure: The airbag system, including the airbag modules and potentially the door lock mechanism, malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently undergoing inspection by the insurance company and will be made available for inspection by NHTSA upon request. Safety Risk: The unexpected deployment of the airbags while the vehicle was at a low speed posed a significant safety risk to the occupants. The injuries sustained, including neck, shoulder, and back pain, demonstrate the potential for serious harm. Furthermore, the malfunctioning door locks hindered passenger egress and could have exacerbated the situation in a more severe accident such as if this would have happened on an expressway or highway at a high rate of speed with other vehicles involved, this would have been a deadly accident. Reproduction or Confirmation: The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center yet. Inspections: The vehicle is currently scheduled to undergoing inspection by the insurance company. No inspections by the manufacturer, police, or other parties have been conducted yet. Warning Signs: No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms indicating an issue with the airbag system was observed prior to the incident.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-02
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP4GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: After driving the vehicle for about an hour, when coming to a stop, the vehicle will not accelerate. Stepping in the acceleration pedal does nothing. No RPM increase, nothing. After 10 seconds the vehicle suddenly takes off. After angry drivers honk. The RPMS rev up and will not decrease to normal. I am limited to 25 mph with very high RPMs. Same thing repeats after every stop. The problem goes away intermittently after restarting the car. I've almost died trying to make turns in front of oncoming traffic when it will not accelerate.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP9GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: During normal operation of the vehicle the car suddenly would not accelerate or go faster than 12mph. The transmission failed without warning. I have filed a claim with the manufacturer.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-23
- VIN: 1N4AL3APXGC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly accelerated independently, before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 75,000.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP8GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: 2016 Altima 66,700 miles At a light, when push the accelerator my car hesitates for about 4 seconds. Then it slowly gains power. This is an accident waiting to happen. 2016 Altima needs a recall. I see multiple complaints on the internet as well.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-20
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP1GN
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The driver side sun visor is easily broken. The connecting rod is hollow.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-18
- VIN: 1N4AL3APXGC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: the systems I-key message is coming on because the hood latch. the recall only bent or greased the latch and didn't replace it. dealer wont take the problem.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-21
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP6GN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Air bag light is on and occupant classification sensor is malfunctioning. Passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of an accident.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-10
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: When I am stopped at a light or in stop and go traffic my car will not accelerate when I put my foot on the gas pedal. I can push it all the way to the floor and my car will not move. It takes about 10 seconds or so then my car will jolt quickly and finally go. I have also had issues with the RPM's shooting up while I am driving at a low rate of speed. This has happened maybe 3 times and I have to pull over and turn my vehicle off then turn it back on and then it seems to drive normally. This issue started several months ago and at first it was just occasionally. Now it is more frequent and happens anytime I am driving. If I turn my car off then turn it back on it seems to correct the issue briefly. I have found myself while stopped in traffic just turning my car off then back on because I am in fear of it happening. This is dangerous as I am at risk of getting hit when I am making a turn at an intersection if my car will not move. I have looked online and it seems other people with Altimas the same year have also experienced similar problems. I have not had the vehicle inspected. There are no warning lights that have come on in the vehicle indicating there is a problem.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP2GN
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I am concerned about the safety of my headlights. I haven't had my car long but noticed how dim the headlights were in comparison to my other car. I frequently would drive my old car with the fog lights illuminated due to wildlife concerns. My Nissan, though ten years newer, has lighting that is way worse. Sure enough, an animal ran out across my part that I could barely see. I looked into replacement bulbs when I stumbled across a class-action lawsuit regarding dim headlights. However, since I recently bought this car used, I apparently have no recourse. This is most definitely a safety issue. Furthermore, if the issue is due to the projector lens, then the repair should be made at Nissan's expense. Additionally, several people say that changing the bulbs do not help. I haven't had my car looked at by anyone because they just want to change the bulbs. How do you fix headlights when charging the bulb isn't the fix? How am I going to be able to see at nighttime? There needs to be a recall for these lights. It is a safety issue. It cannot be fixed by a consumer by changing the bulbs.
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-15
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP6GC
- Components: STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: 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 stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, others also smelled the odor. The contact stated while driving approximately 65MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 45 MPH with other vehicles behind. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lunged forward causing the contact to quickly depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP1GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I was driving on the interstate highway when I realize that when I was trying to accelerate, the car was not starting to move forward anymore was not able to drive at proper speed on freeway . prior to that, I realize my RPMs was going up and down Had to pull over on freeway shut my car off and let car cool down waited about 10 minutes with off and then restarted it and continue to go seem to be fine at that point but has happened a couple times to me already, driving at normal speed and then it seems like when it’s getting hotter that I would gradually wouldn’t be able to move at normal speed as I needed to be on the freeway. RPMs would eventually start jumping up a down again I end up bringing my car to a Garage have transmission flushed and change screen filter, and oil cool filter still same result. It seems to feel very unsafe when driving on freeway!!!!
WHEELS,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-03
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP1GC
- Components: WHEELS,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: 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 and was never taken in for inspection. I believe this was the cause of my hood failure.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-23
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP0GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: It is a known issue that the Stepper Motor on Nissan CVT transmissions are faulty. It causes the vehicle to not accelerate from stopped, which creates a dangerous situation if you are expecting your vehicle to respond when you press the accelerator to make a turn in traffic. When the Stepper Motor is not functioning properly, the driver will depress the accelerator, and the vehicle will not respond for up to 3 seconds. Once the vehicle responds to the depressed accelerator, it jolts the vehicle forward rapidly. Research in Nissan forums and conversations with auto technicians confirm this is an issue, however Nissan has not issued a recall. My research indicates this faulty part effects Nissan Alitmas as far back as 2008, and other Nissan vehicles such as the Nissan Murano.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-15
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP3GC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Nissan has had quite a few recalls on their hood latch. The most recent one was in 2022. My car was checked in 2022, but now two years later I’m having another issue with the hood latch. While Nissan does not want to open a recall to not lose money, there is definitely another recall issue. At the moment there are 149 hood latches on back order and no one is able to get one. There was more than one customer in Nissan complaining of a hood latch issue. I went back-and-forth with Nissan for weeks , and they just kept telling me that they cannot help me. I would have to pay out-of-pocket. if there are absolutely no hood latches available to anyone anywhere is there not an issue on the hood latch?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-08
- VIN: 1N4BL3AP3GC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The car stalls/shuts down while driving and while idle. I’ve had the alternative replaced 3 times within 2 years. After about 8-10 after having the alternative replaced it starts to stall/shut down again. There is definitely an error with the alternator system in these cars. Avd a recall needs to be assessed.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-02
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP4GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact was almost involved in a crash due to acceleration failure. The contact noticed that the vehicle shuddered before the failure in acceleration. Additionally, the contact noticed that the RPMs were high during the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Three months ago, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the passenger's side front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and kept for six months; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 76,454.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-07
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP3GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to jerk, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-02
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP5GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I was driving today 3/2/24 and speed was about 40-50 and suddenly/randomly the vehicle would do a jerk once it got to about 50 and the rpm’s would jump up between 2-3 and quickly drop back down to normal. I was not pressing the gas hard or a lot just lightly and also the jerking would happen if I was going down in speed from like 60-50 it would randomly jerk again and rpm’s would increase and go back down. Would do this off and on. No check engine lights or any lights what so ever we’re out up on the dash either which made it odd that my car was acting up. My vehicle only has 59,300 miles and has been serviced strictly at dealer for oil and transmission and I have been told that Nissan and their CVT transmissions are no good and transmissions can suddenly “die” on you for no apparent reasoning. Online searches let me to forums that discuss this being a common issue although Nissan has never done any form of recalls. This poses a safety concern in that the car is jerking and rpm’s go crazy for a moment. My vehicle also after being stopped at a traffic light today did not want to accelerate and “go” when I pressed the gas. I creeped up to 20 mph while rpm’s increased and then all of a sudden the car jerked and I was back in motion. I have owned my car since brand new and never have I had any issues.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-05
- VIN: 1N4AL3AP7GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: During driving on interstate highway transmission suddenly failed to shift during acceleration or deceleration. This caused an inability to properly move with flow of traffic to move to emergency lane nearly causing a major Mother Vehicle Accident involving multiple vehicles.
2016 Nissan Altima recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2016 Nissan Altima.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- 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 Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT
- Summary: 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. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
- Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
- Summary: 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 cause that door to unlatch and open.
- Consequence: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: 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 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. 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. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Negative 2016 Nissan Altima car reviews
Positive 2016 Nissan Altima car reviews
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On March 30, 2017, I purchased my NEW 2016 Altima SV Sedan from Morlan Nissan in Dexter, MO. This is my eighth Nissan in a row since 1969, including two Sentras and six Altimas. I have always been impressed with Nissan's reliability, which is why I have owned seven cars built by Japan's largest manufacturer over the years. Out of all the cars I have owned, my eight Nissans have been the most reliable and trouble-free. For instance, my 1997 Altima had gone more than 130,000 miles without any problems, and when I traded it for a new 2001 Altima, my son drove it for four years without any issues except for normal maintenance. When he traded it, the car had more than 150,000 miles on the odometer. As a retired couple on Social Security, my wife and I were looking for a new vehicle that would last us through our retirement years. We found this new 2016 leftover at Morlan Nissan, and the dealership made us an offer we could not resist.
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I'm a car enthusiast at heart and have always had a passion for cars. However, as I got older, I felt it was time to move on from my Detroit muscle and sports cars. When I decided to buy a more 'adult' car, I initially looked at the 2013 Altima. I was impressed with its features, but unfortunately, the dealership only had a Dodge Avenger available, which they convinced me to buy. Looking back, I regret not sticking to my guns and getting the Altima. When I finally test drove the Altima, I also tried out the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and Toyota Camry. While I loved the Optima the most, it was more expensive than the others and the dealer wouldn't negotiate. The Altima and Sonata hybrid were tied for driving and initial quality, but the Sonata hybrids in the area were all base vehicles, and the limited were hard to find. The Malibu and the Toyota were both in last place as a tie. The Malibu just didn't have the fit, finish, and feel of the others, with cheaper plastics and an infotainment system that wasn't to my liking. The Camry fell short because it lacked styling and didn't seem as advanced as the others. However, the Altima's Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) works really well, and I was surprised at what it could do. To test it, I allowed it to slow me all the way to a stop, and when it came to a stop, the car sat there for about two seconds, and a chime warned me the ICC was turning off. The front seats are incredibly comfortable, with Nissan's Zero Gravity seats being a standout feature. They're not just a gimmick; they really are very comfortable, and I find them just as comfortable as the 2005 Audi A6 I had two cars ago. The Altima's Constant Variable Transmission (CVT) takes some getting used to, but once you do, it's a great feature.For a mid-sized 2.5l car, getting as high as 42mpg on the freeway (I got that on a 180 mile trip) and 0-60 in 8.2 seconds is not bad at all! Although the transmission doesn't give shift points, it does deliver smooth power at a constant rate and great MPG. I was initially concerned about the reliability issues with the transmission, but after reading an article about Nissan demanding Jatco (the manufacturer of the CVT) to make them right, I feel more confident. Everything I have read shows that the early problems were just that, early problems. I also own a Subaru Outback with a CVT and it feels different, much more 'slushy' feeling.
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I take what others say with a grain of salt, but I must say that I have had great experiences with Nissan Altimas. My family has owned a total of five Altimas, and we have never had any major issues. My mother, who has been rear-ended twice, swears by them. Personally, I find Nissan/Infiniti cars to be more comfortable than Toyotas or Hondas. I recently upgraded to the 2016b Altima SL and I am thoroughly impressed with the midyear refreshes. The upgraded headlights and navigation system are fantastic, and the voice interactive software works seamlessly with my iPhone. The SiriusXM interface is also much improved, and the Nissan Connect feature is finally useful. Overall, I am very happy with my Altima and would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a new car.
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Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with my 4th Altima. I absolutely love driving them for 8-9 years and then upgrading to a new one. My 2016 model has been the best one yet, although I've only had it for a month. The only minor issue I've had is that the USB port doesn't seem to work with my iPhone. However, Nissan has assured me that it will be corrected soon and that it's due to an upgrade to the IOS by Apple. I'm not sure why that would happen, but as long as it's fixed soon, it's not a big deal to me. Thanks for listening!
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Hey there! Just wanted to give you an update on my car. It's been 10,000 miles and it's still performing really well. I'm happy to report that the mileage has increased to over 30mpg on average, and we even got up to 41mpg on a trip to Indianapolis (from Nashville, TN) averaging around 75 mph! We did have three recalls on the car, but nothing major and we'll be taking it in soon. Overall, I still gave it a high rating. However, I did end up trading in my Accord for an Altima. The main reason for this was that the seats in the Accords were not working for me. In a recent long trip from Nashville to Richmond, VA., I had to get out of the car three times going and coming back because my seat was hurting. I do have some health issues, but it was enough to start looking for a more comfortable option. I tried out a few different cars, like the new Civic and H-RD, but the seats were not any better for me. Then I went to a Nissan dealer to try out a Rogue first and then an Altima and WOW. These zero gravity seats are really true, they are so comfortable! We went for a drive and I really liked the drive too. The SV model had everything we were looking for in a car (except the NAV package, I use my iPhone for maps). My wife chose the color, Pearl White, and we got a really good deal with the trade and the new car! We've only had the car for a few days, but I think I'm going to really like it. The seats are really something and even the back seats are great! Ironically, I just toured the Nissan plant in Smyrna, TN this past Thursday (I live 4 miles from the plant) and was really impressed with the mile-long production line and the quality of the production. I guess time will tell, but after 25k on the car, we still like everything about it. It's very comfortable and has a quiet ride, and the gas mileage is great. We're getting anywhere between 29 and 32 in the city and 36 plus or so on the highway. The only thing I don't like is the CVT. It has power but it's not as responsive as I would like. But I knew that going in. Thanks for listening!The 2019 Altima, which debuted at the New York Auto Show last week, has a brand new engine with around 250 horsepower, replacing the V6. It sounds like a great buy! According to my understanding, it will be available in the fall of 2018.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Nissan Altima problems:
2016 Nissan Altima Problems and Complaints - 8 Issues
Top 2016 Nissan Altima Problems · Nissan Crankshaft and Camshaft Sensor Recall · Nissan fuel pump concern · Front Struts May Wear Prematurely and Cause Knocking ...
2016 Nissan Altima Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Nissan Altima? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2016 Nissan Altima Problems Include Transmission Failure ...
May 13, 2022 ... Among the 365 complaints that 2016 Nissan Altima owners filed with the NHTSA, over 40% were related to the car's powertrain. The most common ...
The most common problems with used 2016 Nissan Altimas - CoPilot
Sep 14, 2020 ... Cost to fix: $4300. The issues reported to agencies like the NHTSA and sites like carcomplaints.com indicate that the transmission woes ...
Nissan Altima 2016 CVT issue. : r/Nissan
Apr 2, 2023 ... Yeap! I'm hoping I can take mine to 150k without serious issues. I'm on a transmission rebuild.
Other years of Nissan Altima
Are you having problems with your 2016 Nissan Altima?
Brent Leffler 2025-09-21
There are 4 issues in this car that are causing the battery to drain. Despite having the car jumped and towed to the dealer with a dead battery, and having the battery replaced once, the new battery was also drained twice. However, the dealer has been unable to identify the root cause of the problem. While this has been frustrating, I remain confident that a solution will be found. I regret the inconvenience caused by this issue.
Dennis Bergnaum 2025-08-28
I purchased a 2016 Nissan Altima S in September 2017 with 33,000 miles. Unfortunately, I have encountered multiple problems in the short time I have owned it, such as bad oxygen sensors, mass air flow sensor, and TPS sensor. To make matters worse, my transmission recently went out with only 35,000 miles on the odometer. While my experience has been frustrating, I would caution others to consider these issues before purchasing a Nissan Altima.
Trevor Maggio 2025-08-03
The Altima's CVT has been known to fail just after the warranty expires, as reported by the NHTSA's public database. The cost of replacing the CVT is approximately $4,000. It is recommended to purchase this car brand new to avoid transmission issues. In this particular case, the car still had issues even after the transmission was replaced, leading to a trade-in for a Chevy. It is important to thoroughly research and consider all options before making a purchase.
Hershel Johnston 2025-05-22
I've had the 2016 for just over a year now and unfortunately, I've had to take it to the dealer 4 times already because the check engine light keeps turning on. Recently, the car developed a transmission problem which required a replacement. During this time, I was provided with a rental Nissan Altima and unfortunately, the check engine light turned on just 5 days into my rental. It's been a frustrating experience, but I'm hopeful that the dealership will be able to resolve these issues soon.
Lamar Sporer 2025-02-15
This was our first new Nissan. Although I've had no real issues with older models, unfortunately, this has been a pretty unpleasant experience. On the surface, the SR model is nice. It has a fairly striking appearance with the SR package, including blue accented interior, paddle shifters, and 18in wheels. It's definitely a nice looking car. However, the 2.5 and, more importantly, the CVT trans are slugs. Even worse, within 10k miles, the MAF sensor went out. As I write this review at 28k, the transmission has failed completely. I would advise being mindful about buying these new Nissans. On the other hand, we have a 2015 Mazda 3, which is a solid, well-made car. In fact, we sold this car in 2018 and got a 2018 Mazda CX-5, which was a very smart decision over this lemon.