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2016 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sentra years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Sentra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 116.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

146 reports with mileage · 124 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

43 reports
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81 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR NOT EVEN 24 HOURS OLD, THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITH PUSHING THE STARTER BUTTON, THE RMP WOULD BE AT 3 AT IDLEING. MARCH 2019, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WENT TO THE DEALER. SENSOR IN FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, FEW WEEKS POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS. IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 45 IN GREYS LAKE, IL. THE CAR WOULD NOT …

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CAR NOT EVEN 24 HOURS OLD, THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITH PUSHING THE STARTER BUTTON, THE RMP WOULD BE AT 3 AT IDLEING. MARCH 2019, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WENT TO THE DEALER. SENSOR IN FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, FEW WEEKS POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS. IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 45 IN GREYS LAKE, IL. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND ALMOST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMAL FOR AWHILE, THEN THE SHIFTING GEARS AND BOGGING WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN. A WEEK LATTER THE ENGINE IS MAKING A WHINNING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11204626

63,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLED TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY ONRAMP. CAR STARTS BUT DOES NOT GET INTO GEAR AND DIES. MAY BE SIMILAR TO NISSAN SENTRA 2016 ISSUE WITH ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. BUT MY CAR A NISSAN SENTRA S 2016 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11203226

247 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Exterior LightingUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11196043

47,000 miles · Oct 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY OVER 60 MPH THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD 47,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS MADE THIS NOISE AND DONE IT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 59. T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY OVER 60 MPH THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD 47,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS MADE THIS NOISE AND DONE IT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 59. THE BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN MASHED EVEN THOUGH BRAKE PADS,ROTORS ARE GOOD AS WELL AS BRAKE FLUID. IT WILL MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT IT INTO GEAR AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. THE CAR JOLTS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE DRIVING AND IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL EVEN AFTER BRAND NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON, BALANCED, ROTATED AND ALIGNED.

NHTSA ODI #11139306

55,000 miles · Oct 4, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2016 WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT FROM ME DRIVING OFF WITH IT. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE. IVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE DUE TO LOW NOISES IT MADE IF I DROVE OVER 10 MPH. THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR FOR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULDN'T CUT ON FROM THE…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2016 WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT FROM ME DRIVING OFF WITH IT. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE. IVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE DUE TO LOW NOISES IT MADE IF I DROVE OVER 10 MPH. THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR FOR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULDN'T CUT ON FROM THE NOISES IT MADE. NOW MY CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. ALL MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE AND MY CAR HAS 55,000 EVEN TODAY! THE BATTERY IS NOW AND CHARGED. ALL CABLES ARE TIGHT. I HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11133385

48,000 miles · Jul 20, 2018
Unknown Or Other

LOUD WIND SOUND WHEN DRIVING PASSES 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MAKES LOUD HOWLING SOUND AS THE WIND HITS AND CROSSES THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF MY VEHICLE. THE WIND HOWLING SOUND IS REALLY LOUD WHEN MY CAR IS DRIVING AGAINST THE WIND ON THE FREEWAY, I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THE RUBBER LINING ON DRIVER AND PASSEN…

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LOUD WIND SOUND WHEN DRIVING PASSES 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MAKES LOUD HOWLING SOUND AS THE WIND HITS AND CROSSES THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF MY VEHICLE. THE WIND HOWLING SOUND IS REALLY LOUD WHEN MY CAR IS DRIVING AGAINST THE WIND ON THE FREEWAY, I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THE RUBBER LINING ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND RESEALED CORRECTLY PROFESSIONALLY

NHTSA ODI #11112785

13,000 miles · Apr 26, 2018
Unknown Or Other

ONGOING AND SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS; MOST NOTABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO 40-45 MPH. THE RPMS WILL REV BETWEEN 5-6 (BUT STILL STRUGGLE). ONCE THE CAR HITS AROUND 40MPH THERE ARE LESS PROBLEMS. OCCASIONALLY FEEL THAT THE CAR IS STALLING OUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (IE ON HIGHWAY). PROBLEMS ARE…

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ONGOING AND SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS; MOST NOTABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO 40-45 MPH. THE RPMS WILL REV BETWEEN 5-6 (BUT STILL STRUGGLE). ONCE THE CAR HITS AROUND 40MPH THERE ARE LESS PROBLEMS. OCCASIONALLY FEEL THAT THE CAR IS STALLING OUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (IE ON HIGHWAY). PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT, MOST NOTABLE WHEN CAR IS COLD. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, BROUGHT IN FOR CHECK. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY RELATED 'COMPUTER CODES' - FEEL I AM BEING IGNORED DESPITE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11090209

50,000 miles · Apr 17, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WIND NOISE FROM A-PILLAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH HEAVY HEAD WIND OR CROSS WIND THAT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IS HOWLING OR HONKING ABOVE 55 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11088652

47,500 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 47,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY GOING 35 MPH, STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE STARTED TO HARDEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK UP. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED APPEARING ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I JUST MIS…

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AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 47,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY GOING 35 MPH, STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE STARTED TO HARDEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK UP. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED APPEARING ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I JUST MISSED A CAR NEXT TO ME TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I PULLED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY, THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE, ACCELERATOR, EVERYTHING STOPPED RESPONDING. I ASSUMED IT MAY BE A BAD BATTERY, SO I GOT A JUMP, BUT AFTER 20 MINUTES, THE CAR REFUSED TO TURNOVER. THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED, THERE WASN'T ANY DIMMING. THE MECHANIC SPENT MOST OF THE FOLLOWING DAY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. I'VE SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM NOTED FOR NISSAN SENTRA AND OTHER MODELS, IT'S A SCARY THING FOR A VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP ON A ROAD OR HIGHWAY, IF THE PARKING LOT WASN'T NEARBY, MY FAMILY AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING DUCKS TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR STRAINED ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS BY THE MOST CARELESS VEHICLE ISSUE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I'M CONCERNED THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED OR RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11075292

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WHEN I COME OUT MY HOUSE IN THE MORNING, I HAVE FOUND MY TRUNK OPEN SO FAR MORE THAN 5 TIMES AND AT TIMES WHEN I COME OUT OF A STORE THE TRUNK IS OPEN. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I FEEL LIKE ONE DAY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND SOMEONE GO IN MY TRUNK AND CAR AND TAKE WH…

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WHEN I COME OUT MY HOUSE IN THE MORNING, I HAVE FOUND MY TRUNK OPEN SO FAR MORE THAN 5 TIMES AND AT TIMES WHEN I COME OUT OF A STORE THE TRUNK IS OPEN. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I FEEL LIKE ONE DAY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND SOMEONE GO IN MY TRUNK AND CAR AND TAKE WHATEVER THEY WANT. THE DOORS OR THE ALARM NEVER OPEN OR GOES OFF ON IT OWN BUT THE TRUNK DOES. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE KEY FOB OR WHAT.

NHTSA ODI #11072291

Official recalls

6

21V135000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Mar 3, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.

17V253000 · Air Bags

Apr 13, 2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V485000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 29, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2016, through April 26, 2016. The engine room harness may have a terminal pin too large to maintain a connection with the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the engine room harness loses connection to the ECU, the vehicle may not start or the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the terminal pin on the engine room harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V436000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Electrical System:wiring

Jun 15, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.

Consequence: If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Electrical System:wiring

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.

Consequence: If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V242000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Apr 26, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2016. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

16V244000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Apr 26, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.