2016 Nissan Altima Safety Report
2016 Nissan Altima: Excellent crash ratings, but significant owner complaints for CVT and airbags raise real-world safety concerns.
AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Altima
Reliability Score
The 2016 Nissan Altima receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2016 Nissan Altima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Altima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cvt Transmission Failure/Malfunction Delayed acceleration, slipping, jerking, or complete transmission failure, often leading to costly repairs or vehicle immobility. Many complaints reference a 'judder code' and Nissan's extended warranty due to known design flaws. |
High | Common | 30000-100000 miles |
| Airbag Warning Light/System Failure Airbag warning light illuminates, indicating a potential malfunction of the airbag system, including passenger side or curtain airbags, increasing injury risk in a crash. This is linked to a recall for occupant classification sensors. |
High | Common | 50000-100000 miles |
| Dim Headlights/Poor Visibility Low beam headlights provide insufficient illumination, forcing drivers to use high beams or creating dangerous driving conditions at night. Replacing bulbs often does not resolve the issue. |
Medium | Common | 30000-80000 miles |
| Hood Latch Corrosion/Failure Corrosion can cause the secondary hood latch to bind, potentially leading to the hood unexpectedly opening while driving, obstructing vision and causing crashes. This is subject to a recall. |
High | Occasional | 50000-100000 miles |
| Rear Door Latch/Lock Cable Improper Routing Improperly routed rear door latch/lock cables can cause rear doors to open inadvertently while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to rear passengers. This is subject to a recall. |
High | Occasional | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Nissan Altima:
The most frequent complaint category, with 151 reports, primarily concerning the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) leading to issues like delayed acceleration, slipping, and complete failure.
49 complaints related to airbag system malfunctions, including warning lights, sensor failures, and concerns about non-deployment, directly correlating with a recall for occupant classification sensors.
31 complaints, predominantly about dim or ineffective low beam headlights, significantly impacting nighttime visibility and safety.
16 complaints, including issues with hood latches and door latches, which are also subjects of multiple recalls for potential failures leading to unexpected openings.
15 complaints, some of which describe engine stalling, loss of power, or overheating, often intertwined with powertrain issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Altima
Is the 2016 Nissan Altima safe?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Altima received excellent 5-star crash test ratings for overall, frontal, and side impacts, and a 4-star rollover rating, indicating strong performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, it has accumulated 541 owner complaints, including 27 crashes, 3 fires, 31 injuries, and 1 death, with significant concerns regarding its powertrain (151 complaints) and airbag systems (49 complaints), which could impact real-world safety.
What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima?
The most reported issues for the 2016 Nissan Altima are related to the POWER TRAIN (151 complaints), primarily concerning the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with symptoms like delayed acceleration and slipping. Other common problems include AIR BAGS (49 complaints) with warning lights and sensor failures, and EXTERIOR LIGHTING (31 complaints) due to dim headlights.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Yes, the 2016 Nissan Altima has 4 recalls. These include recalls for LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES related to hood latch corrosion, STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH for improperly routed rear door latch cables, and AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION for issues that could prevent proper airbag deployment.
How does the 2016 Nissan Altima perform in crash tests?
The 2016 Nissan Altima performed very well in NHTSA crash tests, earning an Overall 5-star safety rating. It received 5 stars for both Frontal Crash and Side Crash tests, and a 4-star rating for Rollover resistance.
What should I know about the 2016 Nissan Altima's transmission?
The 2016 Nissan Altima uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is a major source of owner complaints (151 under POWER TRAIN). Many reports describe delayed acceleration, slipping, jerking, and premature failure, often requiring expensive replacement. Nissan has acknowledged issues with these CVTs through extended warranties and class-action lawsuits.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: While the 2016 Nissan Altima has strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the prevalent CVT transmission issues and airbag system concerns; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Nissan Altima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Nissan Altima. The data includes 541 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 27 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 31 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Nissan Altima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.