Research
2016 Nissan 3 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and air bags (1).
Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2019 – Jan 2024
- Electrical system1
- Air bags1
- Power train1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 275 |
| 2004 | 144 |
| 2005 | 83 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 73 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 153 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
1 report
“I PURCHASED MY 370 Z AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I AM A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER. THIS IS MY SECOND Z AND MY FAMILY OF 9 CARS IS A LARGE BASE FOR YOUR VEHICLES. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN AND WE WILL BE SHOPPING FOR MY WIFE'S NEW CAR IN JUNE WHEN SHE RETIRES. MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR A WEEK SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TODAY. MY VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST: OVER $3000. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THIS. I ASKED THE TECH IF THE AIR BAGS WERE FUNCTIONING AND HE ANSWERED NO SO MY WIFE AND I HAVE NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. I ASK IF THIS FALLS UNDER THE AIRBAG PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR YEARS? IS MY WIFE AND I IN DANGER? PLEASE REVIEW THE AIRBAG ISSUE AND DIRECT ME TO MY NEXT OPTION. I FEAR A LIABILITY ISSUE. THANK YOU”
Air bags
1 report
Power train
1 report
“AS I BEGAN TO START MY VEHICLE ONE DAY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND BECAUSE IT HAD NO PRESSURE ON IT. I FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND REFILLED IT. AFTER IT REBUILT PRESSURE, IT WAS OPERABLE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY LOST PRESSURE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, SO I HAD TO PULL OVER. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD COMPLETELY EMPTIED AGAIN. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLAGUING PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. (I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND CAPABLE OF AUTO REPAIRS). I ORDERED THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER ONLINE AND REPLACED IT MYSELF FOR A PERMANENT FIX WITH AN OEM CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. THERE'S NO TELLING HOW LONG THIS ONE WILL LAST BECAUSE NISSAN MAKES THESE PARTS OUT OF A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC THAT IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER COST ME $188 PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A GARAGE BAY, PAYMENT FOR A FRIEND'S ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, AS WELL AS TIME OFF OF WORK. THE SAFETY MATTER BEHIND THIS GREATLY CONCERNS ME AS I PURCHASED MY 370Z BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2015 AND TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THE VEHICLE HAD 39K MILES AT THE TIME OF THE CLUTCH SLAVE…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 10817
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2016 3 Series questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan 3 Series have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan 3 Series problems?
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), air bags (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026