2016 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 778 complaints
778
Total Complaints
57,692mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
43
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
33,775
25th Percentile
57,692
Median Mileage
79,423
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
229
Engine
86
Unknown Or Other
80
Air Bags
67
Vehicle Speed Control
63
Electrical System
37
Exterior Lighting
35
Fuel/Propulsion System
27
Body
23
Latches/Locks/Linkages
16
Severity Assessment
43
Crashes
4
Fires
52
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS AND THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE SOFTWARE WOULD H..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, IT WENT DOWN LESS THAN HALF WAY AND AN RPM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, IT WENT DOWN LESS THAN HALF WAY AND AN RPM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
229 complaints
25th: 48,674 mi
Median: 64,600 mi
75th: 80,750 mi
Engine
86 complaints
25th: 32,000 mi
Median: 53,000 mi
75th: 75,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
80 complaints
25th: 30,490 mi
Median: 45,000 mi
75th: 80,000 mi
Air Bags
67 complaints
25th: 22,150 mi
Median: 50,000 mi
75th: 74,500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
63 complaints
25th: 43,000 mi
Median: 58,000 mi
75th: 75,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 87
CA: 81
FL: 62
NC: 41
GA: 35
VA: 34
AL: 31
OH: 30
IL: 30
MD: 26
Who Files Complaints?
1.4%
Original Owners
98.6%
Second+ Owners
Nissan Altima — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 150 | 25 |
| 1994 | 120 | 37 |
| 1995 | 216 | 49 |
| 1996 | 117 | 27 |
| 1997 | 141 | 40 |
| 1998 | 141 | 20 |
| 1999 | 110 | 29 |
| 2000 | 199 | 34 |
| 2001 | 201 | 29 |
| 2002 | 1321 | 41 |
| 2003 | 1099 | 61 |
| 2004 | 334 | 18 |
| 2005 | 1358 | 71 |
| 2006 | 1043 | 58 |
| 2007 | 597 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1373 | 73 |
| 2009 | 2149 | 55 |
| 2010 | 538 | 40 |
| 2011 | 317 | 18 |
| 2012 | 575 | 39 |
| 2013 | 2970 | 104 |
| 2014 | 1376 | 74 |
| 2015 | 1188 | 61 |
| 2017 | 498 | 32 |
| 2018 | 314 | 16 |
| 2019 | 326 | 40 |
| 2020 | 266 | 27 |
| 2021 | 96 | 11 |
| 2022 | 50 | 8 |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 |
| 2024 | 55 | 13 |
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Escape/Egress/Exit
Campaign 18V915000 | 19/12/2018
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
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.
Latch
Campaign 17V040000 | 18/01/2017
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
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.
Occupant Classification
Campaign 16V244000 | 26/04/2016
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.
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,
Latch
Campaign 20V315000 | 28/05/2020
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.
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 no
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
Compare Nissan Altima
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28