Makes›Nissan›Altima›2016

2016 Nissan Altima

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Nissan Altima
Pictured: 2024 Nissan Altima SR, front left, 05-05-2025. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2.5 4dr Sedan, 3.5 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 27 city / 39 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,203–3,475 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2016 midsize car (26.2 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints555 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 141 for similar models — most often about the power train.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,203 lb (2.5 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (27 city / 39 highway), 18% better than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 555 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Altima — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Altima →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in57.9 in109.4 in62.6 / 62.2 in3,203 lb60/40
3.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in58.3 in109.4 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,475 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 39 / 31+18%$2,150287
Altima SR2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+15%$2,250296
Altima3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26-1%$2,600352
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.2 MPG2016 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Nissan Altima.

Similar 2016 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Nissan Altima (this car)31 MPGNot rated4
2016 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated1
2016 Honda Civic35 MPGNot rated5
2016 Ford Mustang25 MPGNot rated5
2016 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated4
2016 Chevrolet Impala25 MPGNot rated0
2016 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (4)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · May 28, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V315000 · 1,831,818 vehicles

Problem
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
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.
Fix
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 Owner’s 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.
Structure › Emergency › Escape/Egress/Exit · Dec 19, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V915000 · 341,003 vehicles

Problem
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
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jan 18, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V040000 · 341,005 vehicles

Problem
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
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

Problem
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
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Nissan Altima is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

555Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
28Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
32Injuries reported
58,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train232
Engine86
Unknown Or Other81
Air Bags71
Vehicle Speed Control64
Exterior Lighting38
Electrical System37
Fuel/Propulsion System27
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/10: 324/11: 324/12: 125/01: 225/02: 425/03: 125/04: 325/05: 525/06: 225/07: 625/08: 325/09: 425/10: 125/11: 225/12: 326/02: 326/03: 226/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 526/08: 326/09: 126/10: 224/1025/0125/0425/0725/1026/0226/0526/08max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Nissan Altima buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 232 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 86 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 71 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 58,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Altima. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Altima years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Altima30192.9 inNot rated01
2025 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★27
2024 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★141
2023 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★030
2022 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★031
2021 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★270
2020 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★6161
2019 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★7234
2018 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★2226
2017 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★3393
2015 Altima31191.7 inNot rated10952
2014 Altima31191.7 inNot rated81,025

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →