Fifth generation (L33)
2016 Nissan Altima
The most reported problem on the 2016 Nissan Altima is transmission shudder, with 85 complaints, usually around 70,000 miles.
- 553owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 28involved a crash
- 60,750median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Altima doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?
The 2016 Nissan Altima has 553 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.4 times the median of 232 for 2016 sedans on this site. Of the 11 Altima model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 50 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (39). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Transmission shudder has 85 complaints and airbag has 70, out of 553 in all. A quarter of the 67 owners who gave a mileage for transmission shudder saw it by about 54,000 miles, and half by about 70,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 32 of the 553 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 28 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 32 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 12 of 28, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (16V-244). Transmission shudder and stalling have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 115 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 36. So far in 2026, 17 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 85 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
553 complaints is 2.2 times the median 2016 model on this site and 2.4 times the median 2016 sedan. Among the 9 Altima model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Nissan Altima
Nissan filed 323 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Nissan Altima. 47 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 4 bulletins · 85 complaints
PATHFINDER, ALTIMA, MAXIMA, MURANO AND QUEST; CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports a transmission judder (shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration), AND One of these DTCs is stored: ï· P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION)) ï· P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION)) NOTE: ï If a transmission judder (as ...
ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT PATHFINDER AND ALTIMA WITH V6 ENGINE ONLY IF YOU CONFIRM THE CUSTOMER REPORTS A TRANSMISSION JUDDER (SHAKE, SHUDDER, SINGLE OR MULTIPLE BUMPS OR VIBRATION).
2 more on this problem
IF YOU CONFIRM: The customer reports a transmission judder (shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration) AND One of these DTCs is stored: - P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION)) - P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION)) NOTE - If a transmission judder (as described ...
IF YOU CONFIRM: The customer reports a transmission judder (shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration), AND One of the following DTCs are stored in the TCM: - P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION)) - P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION)) NOTE: - If a transmission ...
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 70 complaints
DTC B00A0-00 STORED
Headlights too dim or fail 5 bulletins · 37 complaints
Halogen Headlamp Warranty Extension REVISED September 27, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from April 12, 2022 has been revised to include the following: ⢠The claims information section has been updated with parts ...
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2013-2018 ALTIMA SEDAN; FRONT COMBINATION LAMPS (HEADLAMPS) INSPECTION Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC861 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # PC861. ï· Discard all previous versions of NTB22-024.
3 more on this problem
Halogen Headlamp Warranty Extension REVISED February 23, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from January 25, 2022 has been revised to include the following: ⢠If a customer requests inspection due to a visibility ...
2013-2018 ALTIMA; FRONT COMBINATION LAMPS (HEADLAMPS) INSPECTION SERVICE INFORMATION Nissan is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality and customer satisfaction. Therefore, Nissan will provide a three-year extension of the manufacturerâs warranty (for a total of six years) covering headlamp dimming due to delamination.
SERVICE INFORMATION Occasionally customers may notice water vapor or fog in the headlamps. The information, illustrations, and flow chart in this bulletin are provided to help you in determining if an incident for water/condensation in the headlamps is normal or not.
Doors, latches or locks fail 1 bulletin · 31 complaints
NISSAN; DOORS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE WITH TEMPERATURE BELOW FREEZING IF YOU CONFIRM: THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT, OR THE CUSTOMER REPORTS THIS INCIDENT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SETTING (NOT RUNNING) IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 14°F (-10°C) FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD (SUCH AS OVERNIGHT). THEN - A SIDE DOOR IS OPENED. THEN - THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE/LATCH, WILL NOT CLOSE/LATCH WITH NORMAL PRESSURE;
Airbag warning light stays on 1 bulletin · 26 complaints
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING INDICATING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC MODE IF YOU CONFIRM The air bag warning light is flashing slowly (repeating 2 seconds ON, 2 seconds OFF). NOTE: If this should occur, the Air Bag Diagnosis Sensor Unit is in Diagnostic Mode and needs to be returned to User Mode. ACTION 1.
Transmission hesitates when accelerating 1 bulletin · 25 complaints
2013-2016 ALTIMA AND 2014-2016 ROGUE; MIL ON WITH DTC P0776, P1715 MAY HAVE HESITATION AND/OR LACK OF POWER ALTIMA WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINE ONLY THE TITLE IS CHANGED, A DTC IS ADDED UNDER IF YOU CONFIRM, AND TCM REPROGRAMMING IS ADDED TO THE SERVICE PROCEDURE.
Check engine light or misfire 33 bulletins · 23 complaints
SERVICE INFORMATION FOR FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE WITH DTCS STORED IN ECM SERVICE INFORMATION If a fuel level sensor has been diagnosed as sending an incorrect level signal, and one or more of the following DTCs are stored in the ECM, do not replace the entire âFuel Level Sensor Unit, Fuel Filter and Fuel Pump Assemblyâ (fuel pump assembly).
DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING
31 more on this problem
EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION
MIL ON WITH P0603 STORED FOR ECM BACK UP CIRCUIT
MIL ON WITH DTC P0087, P0101, P0448, OR P2008, VEHICLES REGISTERED OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA
MIL ON WITH DTC P0087, P0101, P0448, OR P2008
2016-2018 NISSAN; MIL ON WITH DTC P0171, P0174, P2097, AND/OR P2099 This bulletin applies to Altima vehicles equipped with VQ35 engine only. IF YOU CONFIRM The MIL is ON with one or more of the following Air/Fuel (A/F) Sensor DTCs stored: - P0171 (Fuel Injection System Function) - P0174 (Fuel Injection System Function) - ...
NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT apply to LEAF vehicles and Titan XD vehicles with V8 diesel engine.
ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin does NOT apply to LEAF vehicles and Titan XD vehicles with V8 diesel engine.
2013-2017 ALTIMA AND 2014-2016 ROGUE; 4 CYLINDER WITH DTC P17F0, P17F1, P0776, P2813 OR P0841 STORED This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with a 4 cylinder engine. Please
2013-2017 ALTIMA AND 2014-2016 ROGUE; 4 CYLINDER WITH DTC P0776 AND/OR P0841 AND/OR JUDDER WITH P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED No other changes have been made.
2016-2018 ALTIMA WITH QR25DE/4-CYL ENGINE; MOAN NOISE AFTER A/C COMPRESSOR ENGAGES This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine. IF YOU CONFIRM A moan type noise is heard just after the A/C is turned ON (compressor engages) and lasts for about 10 seconds and/or While the A/C is operating and the compressor clutch ...
Plus 21 older ones not listed here.
Passenger airbag sensor problems 1 bulletin · 20 complaints
DTC B00A0-00 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed,
Complaints filed by year
115 complaints came in 2019, 2.1 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Rear suspension control arm failure. Closed jun 16, 2025.
NHTSA summary
Rear suspension control arm failure. Closed aug 21, 2019.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Nissan Altima
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2016 Nissan Altima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Transmission shudder, with 85 of the 553 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 70,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Altima problems start?
Of the 327 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 40,000 miles and half by about 61,000.
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 50 a year against 39.
How many 2016 Nissan Altima complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
32 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
No recall on file for the 2016 Nissan Altima is on the same system as transmission shudder. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.