The 2016 Altima sits squarely in the era of Nissan's infamous CVT reliability issues, particularly with the Jatco CVT paired to the 2.5L four-cylinder. Engine problems are less common but catastrophic when they occur, mostly oil consumption leading to bearing failure.
CVT Transmission Failure (2.5L models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation when accelerating from a stop, Transmission overheating warning light, Complete loss of forward movement
Fix: CVT replacement is the typical end result. Nissan extended warranty to 84k mi on some VINs but many fall outside coverage. Fluid changes every 30k can delay but not prevent failure. Expect 8-12 hours labor for R&R.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Failure (2.5L QR25DE)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning more than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Check engine light with misfire codes, Knocking or ticking from engine block, Catastrophic failure: rod knock, seized engine
Fix: Piston ring design allows oil into combustion chamber. Once rod bearings are starved, you're looking at complete short block or engine replacement. 18-24 hours labor minimum for engine swap.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaking into Coolant (CVT models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Milky or pink transmission fluid (cross-contamination), Strawberry milkshake appearance in coolant reservoir, CVT operating erratically after coolant intrusion, Overheating transmission or engine
Fix: Factory cooler inside radiator fails, mixing CVT fluid and coolant. Requires radiator replacement, both fluid flushes, sometimes CVT replacement if contamination severe. 4-6 hours labor if caught early, much more if CVT damaged.
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front end, Steering feels vague or wanders at highway speed, Visible separation or cracking of rubber mount, Uneven tire wear on front tires
Fix: OEM strut mounts wear prematurely. Replace both sides with strut mount bearings and hardware. Often done during strut replacement. 2-3 hours labor if just mounts, 4-5 if doing full struts.
Symptoms: Hood pops open while driving, Hood won't latch securely, Secondary latch not engaging properly
Fix: Secondary hood latch can fail to engage. Nissan issued recall 17V-519 but not all units fixed. Check if recall completed. Replacement latch takes 1 hour labor.
Estimated cost: $0 (if recall applies), $200-350 (out of pocket)
Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminated, Passenger airbag off light stays on with adult in seat, Intermittent airbag system warnings
Fix: Sensor mat in passenger seat cushion fails or gets damaged by liquids/weight. Recall 18V-026 covered some VINs. Requires seat cushion disassembly and sensor replacement. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $0 (if recall applies), $500-900 (out of pocket)
Owner tips
Check CVT fluid every oil change—if it's dark or smells burnt at 60k, start budgeting for replacement
Monitor oil level religiously on 2.5L engines; consumption above 1 qt per 3,000 mi is a red flag
Inspect radiator/transmission cooler for any signs of cross-contamination at every coolant service
Verify all recalls completed, especially hood latch and airbag sensor—check Nissan portal by VIN
Avoid the 2.5L CVT combo unless you find one with documented CVT replacement and obsessive oil-level maintenance history; the 3.5L V6 is significantly more reliable but rare—budget $2k-3k for deferred CVT/engine issues on any 100k+ example.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Standard engine bay mounting; 3.5L V6 uses Group 35
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Every control module on the 2013-2017 Nissan Altima — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Integrated within BCM; physical BCM location behind driver side lower dash panel
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ NATS immobilizer integrated with BCM; all keys must be re-registered if BCM replaced; requires security PIN from Nissan
Body Control Module (BCM)1.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind driver side lower dash panel, above fuse box, left of steering column
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ VIN programming and Intelligent Key registration required; controls interior lighting, power windows, door locks, and integrates CAN gateway functions
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ Mileage programming required by law; VIN must be written to replacement unit; 2016+ models feature TFT display
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 17V040000
2017-01-18
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.
Consequence: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 16V244000
2016-04-26 · EA15004
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
22mpg
Highway
31mpg
Combined
26mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
Fifth generation (L33). Sedan body style has no rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.