2016 Nissan Altima parts and specs

What changed for the 2016 Nissan Altima

• 2016Mid-cycle refresh begins: new exterior styling and fascias, updated features; SR sport trim introduced (2.5 and 3.5)
• 2016–2018Major facelift: new fascias and hood, SR sport trim added (2.5 and 3.5), available Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking. Mechanical service specs (oil, filters, wipers, battery) carry over.

Known problems with the 2016 Nissan Altima

4 of the 5 issues we track for the 2013–2018 generation are documented against the 2016 model year, and 3 carry a recall or service bulletin.

• CVT judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions

  majorClass settlements (bbbprograms.org 'Nissan CVT' / Martinez v. Nissan); multiple judder TSBs

  The defining problem of this generation: the Jatco CVT can shudder or 'judder' on light acceleration, whine, overheat into limp mode on long hot climbs, and ultimately fail, often between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan issued judder/TCM-reprogram TSBs and replaced thousands of units. Class-action settlements extended the powertrain warranty on the transmission from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles for 2013–2016 cars (2020 settlement) and 2017–2018 cars (Martinez v. Nissan, effective 2022), with reimbursement for prior repairs. Those windows have now closed for most cars, so buy used examples with a documented fluid history and drive them before purchase.

  Typical cost: $3,500–$5,000 (replacement CVT installed) out of warranty; free/reimbursed under the extended-warranty settlements

• Hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls

  majorNHTSA 20V-315 (supersedes 14V-566, 15V-846, 16V-244)

  Dust and corrosion can bind the secondary hood latch so it stays unlatched; if the primary latch is accidentally released, the hood can fly up at speed. Nissan recalled these cars four times for the same issue, culminating in a June 2020 recall of about 1.8 million 2013–2018 Altimas. Dealers modify or replace the hood latch free. Check your VIN, because many cars never had the final fix done.

  Typical cost: Free under recall

• Halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement)

  moderateClass settlement, altimaheadlightsettlement.com

  The halogen projector low beams on 2013–2018 Altimas dim badly as the reflector coating degrades from heat, leaving poor night visibility even with new bulbs. There was no NHTSA recall, but a class-action settlement (effective January 2022) provided extended headlamp warranty coverage and reimbursement for replacements. Out of pocket, the fix is new headlamp assemblies, not bulbs.

  Typical cost: $250–$700 for a pair of aftermarket assemblies installed

• QR25DE whine/rattle and mounts

  minor

  High-mileage 2.5s commonly develop a cold-start rattle (timing chain tensioner) and clunky engine mounts that transmit vibration at idle in gear. Both are wear items rather than defects; mounts are the usual culprit when the cabin buzzes at a stoplight.

  Typical cost: $150–$400 per mount; $600–$1,200 for a chain/tensioner job

Full detail, costs and sources on the Nissan Altima problems and years to avoid guide.