nissan Altima problems
0 safety recalls. 541 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My airbag light is on. It just came on one day. (No accident or anything else to cause this to happen) I checked to see if a recall was on my vehicle but it was not. There are other Nissan Altima"s that have a recall for this reason.
STATING BRIEFLY AUTO NOT IN MOTION TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE THERE IS A CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN ...WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION MAKING RIGHT / LEFT TURNS STEERING COLUMN FEELS KIND OF SLACK. OCCURRENCES CITY AND H'WAY. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP…
Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.
I have had this vehicle since December 28, 2017, and during that time, the battery has been replaced nearly five times at the dealership. The reason they provided is that the battery now lasts less than two years. I have repeatedly asked them to investigate whether there might…
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Common questions
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 541 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Nissan Altima is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 228 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 541 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.