NissanAltima2016Overview/nissan/altima/2016/base/

2016 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined by its passenger car classification and a 5.1-quart capacity of 5W-30 API engine oil, the 2016 Nissan Altima carries a mechanical footprint that includes 545 owner complaints predominantly focused on the powertrain alongside four separate recalls. When contextualized within the model's full complaint history spanning 1993 to 2025, however, this year represents a significant shift toward improved reliability. Falling well below the nameplate's troubled 2013 peak of 2,304 complaints and far closer to the 2025 historical low of just 6, the 2016 Altima occupies a much more favorable position in the vehicle's long-term dependability trajectory.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165463TA0J alt 165460Z000
Spark plug224013TA1B alt 22401EW61C
Front wiper blades288903TA1B alt 288903TA0D
Serpentine belt117206TA0A alt 117203TA0C
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter272773JC1C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3203 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2016 2.5 SV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20162.5 SV 2.5L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec182 hpFWD
20162.5 SV 2.5L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec182 hpFWD
20133.5 SV 3.5L V66.10 sec14.60 sec270 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SV 2.5L I-47.60 sec16.00 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.70 sec16.10 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SV 2.5L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec182 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0-9.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.3
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 18 ft/lbs; Lower: 33 ft/lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-26.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub135.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

RPM51 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 177-205 / max variation 14 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 142-185 / max variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 32 /; Front: 20; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 107; Rear: 62 /; Front: 107; Rear: 62
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 9; Rear: 13 /
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .945; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0022
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.810

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Radiator Cap (inspect)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Altima sits in the middle of a clear downward complaint and recall trend that began after the generation’s troubled launch in 2013, which recorded 2,304 complaints and 12 recalls. By 2016, complaints dropped to 545—roughly half of 2015’s 941—and recalls fell to 4, a marked improvement from the 8–12 seen in 2013–2015. However, the 2016 model still logged 322 TSBs, nearly as many as the peak year 2013 (369), suggesting ongoing refinements rather than a fully resolved design. Its top complaint area is the powertrain (152 reports), and the 27 crash-related complaints and 3 fire complaints are moderate but not extreme for the era. In context, 2016 represents a significantly safer bet than the 2013–2015 models, but it is not as clean as the 2017–2018 years, which saw further declines. For a buyer, the 2016 is a reasonable choice if you prioritize lower risk over the earliest generation years, but you should still budget for potential powertrain-related service visits.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
322
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
545
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 545 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train152
Air Bags49
Unknown Or Other42
Exterior Lighting32
Power Train,Engine19
Latches/Locks/Linkages16
Engine15
Structure13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V915000Structure:Emergency:Escape/Egress/ExitReported 19/12/2018

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: 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…

17V040000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 18/01/2017

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 322 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…
NTB12-103I2024-06-06Power TrainCVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Altima take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.