2016 Nissan Altima engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

57 owners have reported engine problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima, 17% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 67,000 mi.

Engine complaints
57
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
67,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine57

Engine complaints across Nissan Altima years

19200513720071092009121320111628201335272015573220171156201938720217620235
Engine complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

3Under 10k10k–30k730k–60k960k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Feb 26, 2026WIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Delayed gear change from 1st to 2nd/delayed acceleration 1-5 seconds mid-traffic because the car overheats soon after driving which causes the car to not properly accelerate causing more RPMs than necessary during longer drives with frequent stops (within urban/suburban areas).
    NHTSA complaint #11720589 · source
  2. Filed Nov 24, 202584,000 miNCEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was running. The contact stated that the vehicle responded and returned to normal functionality after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The contact stated that the failure was more evident while driving in cold weather. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the…
    NHTSA complaint #11701186 · source
  3. Filed Aug 3, 2025ILEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I am writing to formally request a recall for my 2016 Nissan Altima due to a known issue with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Recently, my vehicle has exhibited concerning symptoms, including an inability to exceed 20 mph while hitting 3 RPM, and significant hesitation when accelerating, followed by abrupt lunging. Notably, these issues occurred without any prior warning lamps or indicators until recently with the RPM issue. Despite taking my vehicle to Nissan…
    NHTSA complaint #11678089 · source
  4. Filed Jul 22, 2025ALEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 Sr I brought into the Nissan dealership multiple times since 2022 now in 2025 at 100,000 miles to transmission is not working it's dying at intersections and oil is pouring out of the engine I was told that there was a recall that expired in April of 2023 however I was never notified about the recall despite taking my car to the Nissan dealership prior to that date no one ever said that there was a problem with the CVT I've stored my car…
    NHTSA complaint #11675466 · source
  5. Filed Jul 3, 2025MOEngine
    Vehicle starts fine once the entire engine heats up is when problems start the loss of engine power until engine is able to restart resetting errors this would gradually get worse and the finaly the engine completely stalls out at one moment the computer says it’s the evap then is says cam sensor then the O2 sensor then is said it was the throttle body then at one point it said fuel pump and even told me it was the two upp sensors while trying to start it should start but…
    NHTSA complaint #11671175 · source
  6. Filed Feb 6, 2025MTElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    After the car warms up it will not accelerate like it should. I was stopped at a light - when I went to turn left at the light my car would not accelerate. It slowly rolled out into oncoming traffic. Like it was in limp mode or something. Then at the last minute the car jolted forward like I had the gas pedal fully depressed. Very scary and unsafe. I’ve had this happen many times. I’ve taken it in but haven’t found a solution.
    NHTSA complaint #11641114 · source
  7. Filed Aug 2, 2024WIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    After driving the vehicle for about an hour, when coming to a stop, the vehicle will not accelerate. Stepping in the acceleration pedal does nothing. No RPM increase, nothing. After 10 seconds the vehicle suddenly takes off. After angry drivers honk. The RPMS rev up and will not decrease to normal. I am limited to 25 mph with very high RPMs. Same thing repeats after every stop. The problem goes away intermittently after restarting the car. I've almost died trying to make…
    NHTSA complaint #11606216 · source
  8. Filed Jun 30, 2024AZEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    2016 Altima 66,700 miles At a light, when push the accelerator my car hesitates for about 4 seconds. Then it slowly gains power. This is an accident waiting to happen. 2016 Altima needs a recall. I see multiple complaints on the internet as well.
    NHTSA complaint #11597811 · source
  9. Filed Feb 6, 2024WIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Car just randomly “ gave “ out . I couldn’t accelerate in the middle of intestate traffic !! The engine and the transmission blew at the same time. No warning , no check engine light ! Up to date on oil changes and other maintenance. Car only has 150k miles on it , no way this both happens at the same time. Complete limp mode. Danger to myself and most importantly my kids. How the engine and transmission just fails. Now I’m liable to pay 9,000, no warning no nothing.…
    NHTSA complaint #11570177 · source
  10. Filed Dec 22, 2023OKElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    Car will either not start or heists to start code with check engine light is P0340 for camshaft position sensor I have already replaced this once before 2yrs ago it should not need to be replaced again so soon. I have read online where others with same make and model cars having similar issues and their cars stalled while driving mine hasn't as of yet, but could when I take to mechanic shop. This is a major safety problem. There has been a recall but not for my year model…
    NHTSA complaint #11561517 · source
  11. Filed Dec 17, 2023NCEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    If I'm in city traffic with lots of traffic and a red light for a while or in a drive thru, my car takes longer to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. I'll push the gas pedal in to go and it takes a few seconds to get moving up to normal acceleration speed. The first few seconds of pushing the gas pedal my car barely moves, similar to idling forward without gas, even if I floor it, but once it gets going it drives normally. It works well driving long distance and…
    NHTSA complaint #11560552 · source
  12. Filed Dec 16, 2023SCEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5SR and have noticed every time I'm on the interstate and I have driven at least 70 miles of driving distance, the vehicle will all of sudden lose power and the accelerator will be all the way down and it won't go any faster. So, if the speed limit is 70mph and will automatically drop down to 60 and it has done this in front of an 18-wheeler one time scared me to death. Mind you no warning lights come on or anything it just loses power Nissan…
    NHTSA complaint #11560392 · source

Other 2016 Nissan Altima problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology