3 days before the incident the check engine light came on but went off the next day. I was driving home from an overnight shift on Sunday, July 5th when I heard a loud boom the car instantly began to sound like something was dragging on the ground, the car was shifting right no matter which way I turned the steering wheel. I pulled over checked underneath the vehicle noticed this piece dragging I immediately called a tow. A mechanic took a look and stated the control arm has snapped and deemed the car unsafe to operate. I am financing this vehicle and it has only been a year even with routine maintenance and the upkeep of the vehicle since about a month or 2 after purchasing the vehicle I’ve been having major issues
2016 Nissan Altima suspension problems
12 complaints (2% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Nissan Altima suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Nissan Altima suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.
EA19002
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of this date. Nissan advised that it has conducted testing to assess safety risk. Nissan states that due to low incident rate, high detectability, and low risk of adverse vehicle dynamics, it does not believe the subject lower control arm failure poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to Engineering Analysis (EA) 19-002. During the EA, ODI will continue to collect and analyze complaint and field data in its efforts to fully assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect. More importantly, ODI will also seek additional information and data regarding the potential safety consequences of rear lower control arm failure, both from evidence collected from field failures and through more rigorous and comprehensive vehicle testing to be conducted by either Nissan and/or the federal safety agency.The ODI reports (VOQs) cited above can be viewed at under the following reference numbers: 11234334, 11234232, 11234189, 11233771, 11233234, 11232381, 11231589, 11230323, 11230184, 11229023, 11229003, 11228730, 11228651, 11228631, 11228625, 11223086, 11222602, 11222427, 11222303, 11221802, 11219943, 11217980, 11217542, 11217505, 11217290, 11210699, 11209647, 11208580, 11208274, 11207545, 11206310, 11205711, 11205461, 11203864, 11203005, 11195416, 11193545, 11193020, 11192269, 11192066, 11191270, 11191207, 11191185, 11191042, 11190360, 11190323, 11187334, 11187157, 11186747, 11186195, 11185664, 11185632, 11185589, 11183799, 11183295, 11183198, 11182705,11182528, 11182265, 11182137, 11182088, 11181373, 11181223, 11181155, 11181009, 11180126, 11176565, 11176261, 11176135, 11175821, 11172604, 11172200, 11172065, 11170019, 11169930, 11165194, 11163833, 11163489, 11162559, 11162195, 11161956, 11161497, 11161117, 11157323, 11157234, 11156772, 11141169, 11139516, 11129476, 11122829, 11114374.
PE18013
What 2016 Nissan Altima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was difficult to control at higher speeds. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel was misaligned, and the rear control arm was fractured and had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was determined that the rear control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear tire fell inside the wheel well. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. Upon investigation, the contact was able to associate the failure with the federal safety agency Action Number: EA19002 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the lower control arm was rusted and had fractured. The contact called the local dealer, who mentioned the recall in Canada was due to the snowy weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
As I was driving my rear left control arm broke due to corrosion. At the time, my traction control light came on as the car was sliding. I assumed the car was sliding due to the rain storm that was taking place. Once I parked my car, and later used it again prior to noticing the broken pair, the Traction control light turned off. I later discovered the issue when my car continued to slide on the dry road. A tow was needed and then it was discovered the rear left control arm was broken.
Car has 60,000 miles and the lower front bushings are cracked! They should not be cracked with such low miles for a 2016 car. Now Nissan is telling me to replace the bushing and the lower front control arms will be $2,100. Thats not right, when Nissan knows they have been having issues with the lower control arms and bushings.
Mossy Nissan El Cajon, didn't report an accident that the car was involved in prior to the sale of the car to me. This car sustained front end damage. Resulting in a repair to the frame/sway bar. Thus effecting the steering and suspension of the car. This car was repaired and paid for by an insurance company. However, Nissan didn't disclose this information, so that the end result was the sale of the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle rear swayed back and forth without warning. The contact would have to take his foot off the accelerator pedal allow the vehicle to slow down in order for the vehicle to resume back to normal. The vehicle was taken to feldman chevrolet of novi 42355 grand river ave, novi, mi 48375, (248) 662-5970) where it was diagnosed but unable to duplicate the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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. They replaced left rear shock; however, the noise is still there. It seems as the tires and steering wheel are off. Also, when turning right I can hear a clunking noise. I put car in 'park' turned steering wheel left and there was no noise. Turned to right and the noise present.
Addition to the ppl giving me the reading for my check engine light...transmission fluid (something with my transmission) I've been having a popping noise coming from my passenger tire when I hit bumps..I've took it back to carmaxx to get it service and it still makes the same noise and when I start up my car for the first time it makes a loud noise I guess until the car warms up and it's real loud in the winter and I also complained about this to the dealer..they claim they fixed and it still makes the same noise..I don't know what the problem is with either..it's a 2016 nissan altima..
Cracked bushings had to replace lower control arms front right and left transmission had to be replaced
Questions about the 2016 Nissan Altima suspension
Does the 2016 Nissan Altima have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the suspension of the 2016 Nissan Altima, 2% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Altima suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Nissan Altima suspension?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Altima have bad suspension?
The Nissan Altima model years with the most suspension complaints are 2013 (290 complaints), 2014 (132 complaints) and 2007 (121 complaints).
Other 2016 Nissan Altima problems
Transmission 235Engine 86Airbags 72Acceleration 65Electrical 42Lights 42Fuel system 30Body 29Locks 22Steering 16Driver assistance 13Visibility 12Brakes 11Seats 11Wheels 7Seat belts 5Tires 1
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