2016 Nissan NV: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While idling, the vehicle shutoff on it's own and restarted. Then again while stopped at a red light and again while driving to a mechanic. No warnings or indications that this would happen. It put myself and children at risk because the roads are full of snow leaving us no place for us to pull over. Now the air pressure, windshield fluid and traction control lights are on, whereas they were not previously lit. I'm currently at an independent service center waiting for diagnosis. ***Update: The mechanic gave us the code which shows the crankshaft needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan NV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate over 20 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the four catalytic convertors and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan NV3500. The contact stated that while driving the brakes became inoperable. The speedometer and odometer became inoperable. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was too heavy for lift. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer; Glendale Nissan (727 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204, (818) 696-9301) but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan NV3500. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the instrument malfunctioned. The check engine warning light, odometer, speedometer, and the braking system malfunctioned causing the brake pedal to extend to the floor while depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2021
“The seat belts in the back do not always rewind when pulled all the way out to install child safety seats. So when you pull the belt out all the way to feed it through the safety seat, the belts do not retract. You have to go behind the seat into the mechanism and manually roll the belt back up. This is while the vehicle is parked.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2020
“Check engine light came on, diagnosed as catalytic converter failure. Local dealership advised to replace both converters at $2500. Nissan would not cover under warranty as it claims converters are covered under exhaust/emissions warranty at 50k miles. The vehicle is just under 100k miles.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2020
“Upon closing the front passenger door while parked in the driveway, the entirety of the side curtain airbags on the passenger side of the vehicle deployed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2020
“My van was sitting parked at our house when the big window on the left (behind driver) just exploded inward. Glass was everywhere and all in the car seats.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2020
“The rear air conditioning evaporator fan design has no air filter so the evaporator vanes become clogged with dust and debride within a short time causing failure of the system and thousand of dollars in repair bills. On the internet there are hundreds of disatisfied owners but no unified voice to nissan to do a recall on this engineering flaw to repair this obvious defect. We purchased the vehicle in march and had no use of the airconditioner then but when it heated up in denver we realized the rear air conditioner fans were not blowing hard enough to even be felt. On further reading I discovered this is a common problem for this vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2018
“The ac air flow in the back of the van is completely insufficient. The air coming out of the vents is cool, however the flow of air is so light/slow, the passengers in the back cannot feel it. Since the back windows do not open it becomes swelteringly hot. We worry about our children passing out/over heating back there. It's a safety concern for us, and many others. It does not improve even once the vehicle has been running for a while, and it does not improve even when the vehicle is moving.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
Recalls - 1 campaign
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact NV by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Nissan NV reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2016 Nissan NV. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2016 Nissan NV have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.