Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2016 Nissan NV with NHTSA between 2016 and 2026.
The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 77
Against the median year of the Nissan NV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 45
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2016 Nissan NV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
730.4%
Median failure at 60,975 miles
Brakes
417.4%
Median failure at 40,016 miles
Wheels
28.7%
Median failure at 371,113 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
28.7%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Electrical System
28.7%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
28.7%
Median failure at 190,000 miles
Seat Belts
14.3%
Median failure at 23,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.3%
Median failure at 180,000 miles
Suspension
14.3%
Median failure at 371,113 miles
Airbags
14.3%
Median failure at 78,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
213.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
213.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
16.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
426.7%
150,000+ miles
640.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2016peak 4Feb 2026
Recalls on the 2016 Nissan NV
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202013618,553 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could be defective. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. It could also cause the inflator to rupture. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward the occupants or cause damage to the airbag and prevent it from inflating properly. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash where the airbag deploys, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver-front airbag inflator or airbag module.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bay Shore, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11720743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Destin, FL
WHEELS
At speeds 60 miles or more and sudden braking all front end shaking violently.
NHTSA complaint #11475866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Destin, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
At speeds 60 miles or more and sudden braking all front end shaking violently.
NHTSA complaint #11475866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTampa, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11454894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTampa, FL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11454894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesValley Village, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11445456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Village, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11445447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Village, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11445447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesValley Village, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11445456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11389829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11377927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesWhite Hall, AR
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11361978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesLillington, NC
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11349284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,950 milesWooster, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11339285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesTobyhanna, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN NV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOWN CENTER NISSAN (2310 BARRETT LAKES BLVD, KENNESAW, GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11118253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murfreesboro, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR A/C HAS ZERO FLOW THEREFORE THE BACK GETS EXCEPTIONALLY HOT
NHTSA complaint #11114553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesLittleton, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11114345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesFort Worth, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER PURCHASING THE 2016 NISSAN NV 3500 SL WE NOTICED AIR FLOW RESTRICTIONS IN THE BACK THREE ROWS, OUR FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. . THE FIRST ROW AIR CAN GET THEM BY DUE TO AIR IN THE FRONT BUT WITH HIGH TEMPS IN TEXAS IT'S NOT ENOUGH. OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO HAVE PORTABLE FANS IF WE GO ANYWHERE DURING THE DAY. IT GETS UP TO 100DEGREES IN THE BACK EVEN AFTER LETTING THE VAN "COOL" FOR THIRTY MINUTES. WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT WE ONLY USE OUR VAN EARLY MORNINGS AND LATE EVENINGS TO AVOID HEALTH CONCERNS WITH THE HEAT IN THE BACK THREE ROWS. THIS IS HAZARDOUS! NISSAN SHOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKING INTO THIS. HEAT STROKE COULD HAPPEN WITH A CHILD. I HAVE ASKED MY DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WONT EVEN GET IT IN THE SHOP UNLESS I PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I'VE BEEN ASKING SINCE WE PICKED UP OUR PLATES. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD THAT EVEN UPON THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THEY WERE ALREADY HITTING US WITH UNFORTUNATELY ITS A DESIGN FLAW IF IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT THERE WILL BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. IF ONLY NISSAN WOULD HAVE SHARED THIS BEFORE PURCHASING WE NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT OUR NV. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, HORRIBLE DESIGN. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE ARE AT THE POINT THE BACK TWO ROWS HARDLY HAVE ANY PRESSURE AT ALL & WITH HIGH TEMPS RIGHT NOW CAN'T EVEN USE OUR FAMILY VEHICLE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR THE PRICE WE ARE PAYING. I RECENTLY JOINED A FACEBOOK PAGE OF NISSAN NV OWNERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION/WORLD AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE NOT JUST US. NISSAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE! THE AIR RESTRICTION TO THE THREE REAR ROWS IS CONSTANT AND HAS NO REGARDS TO MOTION, IDLING, TURNING, CITY OR HIGHWAY. THE LONGER YOU HAVE THE VAN THE AIR PRESSURE BECOMES LESS AND LESS. AT EVERY SERVICE I QUESTIONED THIS AND THE ADVISORS ALWAYS BRUSHED IT OFF AS A DESIGN FLAW & SAID ITS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY JUST BY FEELING THE AIR WITH THEIR HAND. NO.
NHTSA complaint #11112446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 371,113 milesDallas, TX
WHEELS
UNEVEN FRONT TIRE WEAR
NHTSA complaint #10970150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 371,113 milesDallas, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNEVEN FRONT TIRE WEAR
NHTSA complaint #10970150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 371,113 milesDallas, TX
SUSPENSION
UNEVEN FRONT TIRE WEAR
NHTSA complaint #10970150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32 milesVirginia Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
FEEL HAVE A BRAKING PROBLEM WITH NV 3500 2016. IN NORMAL BRAKING SEEMS TO WORK WELL. IN HARD STOPS AND PANIC BRAKING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR OR END OF TRAVEL. FEEL I MUST PUMP BRAKES TO GET MAXIMUM BRAKING AND A RETURN OF PEDAL. DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN REP. SAY THIS IS A NORMAL BRAKING FOR THE VEHICLE. I FEEL IF I HAVE TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO RETURN BRAKING POWER, I MIGHT HAVE A POTENTIAL SERIOUS PROBLEM. SO FAR NISSAN HAS TOLD ME MY BRAKES ARE NORMAL, WHICH I QUESTION?
NHTSA complaint #10956989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, MO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE DRIVE SIDE MIRROR. HAS A BAD REFLECTION/GLARE. OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS I CAN SEE EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT CAN'T TELL FROM CAR LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS WHEN DRIVING OR AT STOP. IT'S EVEN WORST ON NON NON LITE ROADS
NHTSA complaint #10927767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.