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.
Key Points
- The 2016 Nissan Altima has four recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is average for a car its age. It also has 365 filed complaints with the safety agency.
- Two of the NHTSA’s recalls for the 2016 Nissan Altima are related to rear doors opening when the power windows are lowered. Other recalls are related to the 2016 Altima’s passenger airbags and its hood latch.
- Various powertrain-related issues have been reported by owners, some of which require a complete replacement of the 2016 Altima’s continuously variable transmission.
- Owners have also complained about delayed acceleration and seats that literally become a pain in the neck.
- Despite good safety ratings from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2016 Nissan Altima’s major transmission issues and acceleration problems make it a risky choice for car buyers looking for a reliable second-hand car.
An Improperly Routed Rear Door Latch-lock Cable Triggered Two of the 2016 Nissan Altima’s Four Recalls
The 2016 Nissan Altima was recalled four times, including twice for the same rear door issue. Initially, Nissan recalled 341,005 of the vehicles in 2017 after receiving a field incident report about a 2016 Altima’s rear door opening without warning. Investigations revealed that the incident was caused by an improperly routed rear door latch-lock cable.
The faulty latch-lock cable could result in the 2016 Altima’s rear door opening inadvertently when the power windows are lowered, even if the vehicle is in motion. Unfortunately, the first recall for the 2016 Altima’s latch-lock cable did not fully address the issue, prompting Nissan to recall the midsize sedan a year later for the same problem.
The NHTSA issued another recall for the 2016 Nissan Altima in 2020, this time due to the vehicle’s hood latch assembly. The 2016 Altima’s hood may open without warning, obstructing a driver’s forward view and increasing the risk of a collision.
The 2016 Nissan Altima was also recalled due to its airbags’ malfunctioning occupant classification system, which may classify an occupied seat as empty. This could result in the front passenger airbag not deploying in a crash.
Over 40% of the 2016 Nissan Altima’s Complaints Filed with the NHTSA are Related to Vehicle’s Powertrain
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 culprit behind these complaints is the midsize sedan’s transmission, which could fail at around 60,000 miles. Repairs to the 2016 Altima’s transmission could easily cost over $3,000, as most shops cannot rebuild the vehicle’s CVT.
Owners report delayed acceleration with the 2016 Altima. They’ve observed the vehicles initially hesitating when the gas pedal is pressed, then launching forward with high rpm. The delayed acceleration could cause safety issues as the vehicle may not accelerate enough during overtaking maneuvers or move too slowly when pulling out of an intersection.
The airbags are another source of complaints among 2016 Nissan Altima owners. The most common complaints include passenger airbag lights that stubbornly stay on and airbags that do not deploy in a collision. At least two owners who filed a complaint with the NHTSA reported injuries due to an airbag malfunction.
Two Open Investigations Cover the 2016 Nissan Altima’s Rear Suspension Control Arm and Airbag Inflator
As per the NHTSA, there are three investigations into the 2016 Nissan Altima, and two are still open. The closed investigation involves the vehicle’s rear suspension control arm, which received complaints about the component being fractured due to corrosion. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) completed the investigation in late-2018.
The ODI launched another investigation into the 2016 Altima’s rear suspension control arm in mid-2019. This time, the investigation was initiated following reports of failed rear suspension control arms in vehicles that were registered in so-called “salt belt” states.
A second open investigation covering defective airbag inflators was launched in the fall of 2021. The NHTSA noted that after prolonged exposure to high-temperature cycles and humidity, 2016 Altima airbag inflators could degrade, causing propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. This could result in the airbag inflator rupturing during deployment, causing severe to fatal injuries.
2016 Nissan Altima Owners’ Complaints Include CVT Failures and Uncomfortable Seats
In the Nico Club Forums, owners report experiencing failures with their 2016 Altima’s CVT, which ultimately resulted in the need for a complete transmission replacement. Others report that their vehicles jerked, exhibited inconsistent acceleration, and stalled when the 2016 Altima’s transmission problems started.
Owners also shared experiences of their 2016 Altima ex rough shifting, slipping transmission, and issues with electronics such as the in-dash navigation system and backup camera.
Several 2016 Nissan Altima owners have posted on Car Complaints to share their unpleasant experiences with the vehicle’s seats. The backseats of the 2016 Altima are pretty cramped, with not enough legroom to fit adults comfortably, and the vehicle’s form-fitting “zero-gravity” front seats could be a hit or miss.
For some drivers, the headrests on the front seats could end up pushing the head forward in a position that causes discomfort in the upper back, shoulders, and neck. This could be a deal-breaker for some drivers and passengers, especially on long trips.
While the 2016 Nissan Altima is Fuel-efficient and Practical, its Expensive Transmission Repairs and Powertrain-related Safety Issues Make it Less Ideal than More Reliable Alternatives
The Nissan Altima is a formidable presence in the United States’ midsize sedan market. Its 2016 model is particularly practical with its strong fuel economy and spacious trunk. It also received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
However, the 2016 Nissan Altima’s transmission issues are too evident to ignore. Having the vehicle’s transmission failing at about 60,000 miles is not only inconvenient; it could also be costly since the 2016 Altima’s CVT would typically need to be replaced. Acceleration problems could also make the 2016 Altima quite unsafe.
Those who wish to purchase a second-hand midsize sedan are best advised to look elsewhere for a more reliable alternative to the 2016 Nissan Altima. While slightly more expensive, other midsize sedans such as the 2016 Honda Accord and the 2016 Toyota Camry are better options.
Photos: Nissan
