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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

What owners actually said

270 reports
105,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA HAS ALWAYS SKIPPED SOME, ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO, BUT THE OTHER DAY, WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, IT WOULDN'T GO. THIS WAS AS I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD. AT TIMES, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ACCELERATE SOME, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD START JERKING. TO MAKE IT HOME, I HAD TO ACCELERATE, COAST, TRY THE GAS PEDAL AGA…

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MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA HAS ALWAYS SKIPPED SOME, ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO, BUT THE OTHER DAY, WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, IT WOULDN'T GO. THIS WAS AS I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD. AT TIMES, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ACCELERATE SOME, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD START JERKING. TO MAKE IT HOME, I HAD TO ACCELERATE, COAST, TRY THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN, AND COAST SOME MORE. NO ENGINE, OR WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME UP ON THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI #11292187

11,501 miles · Dec 29, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

THE PUSH BUTTON START IS VERY UNRELIABLE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE AAA TWICE FOR STARTING PROBLEMS AND TOWED TWICE TO THE NISSAN SERVICE GARQAGE I THIK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE I AM NOT COMFORTABLE GOING ANYPLACE AND KNOWING THAT IT MAY NOT START AFTER PARKED IT HAS THIS PROBLEM IN PARKING LOTS AND HOME GARAGE I AM 82 …

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THE PUSH BUTTON START IS VERY UNRELIABLE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE AAA TWICE FOR STARTING PROBLEMS AND TOWED TWICE TO THE NISSAN SERVICE GARQAGE I THIK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE I AM NOT COMFORTABLE GOING ANYPLACE AND KNOWING THAT IT MAY NOT START AFTER PARKED IT HAS THIS PROBLEM IN PARKING LOTS AND HOME GARAGE I AM 82 YEARS OLD AND ALL I WANTED WAS A SMALL DEPENDABLE CARE THIS IS NOT

NHTSA ODI #11291858

Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

CAR FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE STARTS AND STOPS CONTINUOUSLY AND VERY FAST WHEN ON HIGHWAY GOING 60-75 MPH, AND HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES AROUND LIKE CRAZY FROM ZERO TO BOUNCING PASS MY SPEED I'M DRIVING AT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO CURRENTLY. I PULL OVER AND LET IT RES…

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CAR FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE STARTS AND STOPS CONTINUOUSLY AND VERY FAST WHEN ON HIGHWAY GOING 60-75 MPH, AND HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES AROUND LIKE CRAZY FROM ZERO TO BOUNCING PASS MY SPEED I'M DRIVING AT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO CURRENTLY. I PULL OVER AND LET IT REST, I DIDN'T SEE COMPLAINTS IN PAST ABOUT THIS FROM OTHERS UNTIL NOW, SO I THOUGHT I NOW MUST REPORT AS WELL. I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS ENGINE, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL RELATED, GAS PEDAL OR WHAT, BUT NOW REALIZING IT'S ENGINE ISSUES DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE I GOT IN THE MAIL AND A CIVIL LAWSUIT ACTION IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS.

NHTSA ODI #11291214

64,000 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Power Train

WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, ONCE VEHICLE HAS REACHED 50-70 MPH, THE RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN. SUPER DANGEROUS AS I AM THEN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HAVE TO CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC TO A SHOULDER. ALSO ON TAKE OFF AND STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS, CAR SHUDDERS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. I KNOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUI…

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WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, ONCE VEHICLE HAS REACHED 50-70 MPH, THE RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN. SUPER DANGEROUS AS I AM THEN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HAVE TO CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC TO A SHOULDER. ALSO ON TAKE OFF AND STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS, CAR SHUDDERS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. I KNOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT THERE AS MANY DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $5 IN TRANSMISSION REPAIR ON A CAR THAT HAVE 60K MILES JUST TO WAIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HANDLE THIS AS A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11290083

94,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Power Train

WHEN GIVING THE GAS WHEN TAKING OFF VEHICLE SHUDDERS. WHEN ON THE FREEWAY AROUND 50-60 MPH THE RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN AND THE CAR JERKS AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT MAY STALL OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON CALIFORNIA FREEWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11287625

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2019
Engine

THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND I JUST BOUGHT IT AND NOW HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR SOMETHING I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH AT THIS TIME

NHTSA ODI #11286373

4 miles · Nov 26, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR CVT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SHUDDERING WHILE IN MOTION ALSO STAHLING WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY, CROSSING INTERSECTIONS, AND WHILE TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #11282488

75,000 miles · Nov 24, 2019
Power TrainCrashInjury

SO YESTERDAY IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL TO GET TO MY APARTMENT, WHEN MY CAR COMPLETELY STALLED ON ME & STARTED TO REVERT BACKWARDS, SO AS I'M TRYING TO STOP MY CAR I GET DRUG BACK DOWN THE HILL WITH MY CAR & AS MY CAR CONTINUED, IT HIT A TREE & A SHED WHICH MESSED UP MY DRIVER SIDE & MY BACK BUMPER & TRUNK…

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SO YESTERDAY IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL TO GET TO MY APARTMENT, WHEN MY CAR COMPLETELY STALLED ON ME & STARTED TO REVERT BACKWARDS, SO AS I'M TRYING TO STOP MY CAR I GET DRUG BACK DOWN THE HILL WITH MY CAR & AS MY CAR CONTINUED, IT HIT A TREE & A SHED WHICH MESSED UP MY DRIVER SIDE & MY BACK BUMPER & TRUNK. ALSO I HAVE PHYSICAL INJURIES AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11282005

64,000 miles · Nov 6, 2019
Power Train

CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND AT 64K MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ON ACCELERATION THEN IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY OR WHEN PARKED. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT WOULD ALSO START SHAKING AND SHUT DOWN. ACCELERATION WAS ALSO VERY SLOW EVEN WHEN FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOU…

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CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND AT 64K MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ON ACCELERATION THEN IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY OR WHEN PARKED. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT WOULD ALSO START SHAKING AND SHUT DOWN. ACCELERATION WAS ALSO VERY SLOW EVEN WHEN FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 20-40 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11278459

50,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 20191420571 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABDOMINAL INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT BELT AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 20191420571 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABDOMINAL INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT BELT AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY LABELED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11267915

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.