2016 Nissan Altima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Nissan Altima, 3% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving to work on a dry road and my traction control light came on and stayed on. So I pulled over turned off the vehicle waited a few minutes and started off again. As soon as I started movie the traction control light came on and stayed on again.”
NHTSA complaint #11397075, filed 2021-02, 138,800 miles“While the car has been parked there was a power steering leak unbeknownst to us while the car was parked in the driveway. I checked the reservoir after we returned from a road trip because we saw an excess of fluid on the ground, where the car was previously parked.”
NHTSA complaint #11082347, filed 2018-04, 21,000 miles“The steering wheel comes close to a frozen state, half way when turning left or right which is a serious safety matter. It happened at least 10 times in a month or two(sept/oct-2017). I took the car to the myatt Nissan in salisbury, nc. It took them 3 weeks to repair it during which I heard contradicting statements from them. After a week in their shop I was told by one person(west) that they were able to recreate the problem(when one of the technicians drove it). …”
NHTSA complaint #11048026, filed 2017-11, 44,000 miles“Purchased vehicle less than a month ago and I hate it! I've had nothing but scary encounters with this vehicle. The steering wheel was not aligned and the car would drift to other lanes. God forbid the rain or snow makes a visit, the car slides uncontrollably. The steering wheel seems stiff as well. I had a wheel alignment done and the notice it's a little better but the issue is still there leading me to believe there are other issues. Clunking noise from rear while driving. Took car to the dealership 3 times until they finally decided to look further. …”
NHTSA complaint #11287396, filed 2019-12, 21,000 miles“Nov 2017, Altima had 18,173 miles, not one year old and the check engine light came on while drive it. Took it to dealer in san diego, diagnosis was a p0101 code (mass air flow sensor/orange pcv valve). Then at 20,598 miles, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I was driving on interstate 5 in southern california doing 72 MPH with a truck behind me and all of a sudden the Altima will not accelerate! Meanwhile the RPM's are jumping up and down. Again the dealer said it was code p0101, replaced the pcv valve again. Next at 20,833 miles the check engine light came back on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11138950, filed 2018-10, 18,172 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10138266Apr 19, 20182014-2018 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 20 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 3% |
| 2015 | 48 | 5% |
| 2014 | 58 | 5% |
| 2013 | 94 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 859 | 56% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 17 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% |
| 2002 | 15 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Altima
235 complaintsEngine
86 complaintsOther or unknown
81 complaintsAir bags
72 complaintsVehicle speed control
65 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsExterior lighting
42 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
22 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology