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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
96,400 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Power Train

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS (CVTS) STARTS SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH ABNORMALLY BETWEEN GEARS. IT SHUDDERS, SHAKES, AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 97 THOUSANDS MILES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NISSAN SENTRA ARE KNOW FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED NIS…

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CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS (CVTS) STARTS SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH ABNORMALLY BETWEEN GEARS. IT SHUDDERS, SHAKES, AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 97 THOUSANDS MILES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NISSAN SENTRA ARE KNOW FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE CVT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11267879

60,873 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THE VEHICLE MADE SOME GRINDING NOISE UNDERNEATH AND DIED SUDDENLY. IT WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE $4,000.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS 60,873 MILES ON IT. NATURALLY THE WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 60,000 MILES. I STILL HAVE 3 …

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THE VEHICLE MADE SOME GRINDING NOISE UNDERNEATH AND DIED SUDDENLY. IT WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE $4,000.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS 60,873 MILES ON IT. NATURALLY THE WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 60,000 MILES. I STILL HAVE 3 YEARS OF MONTHLY PAYMENTS LEFT. NATURALLY, WHEN I GOOGLE THE NISSAN SENTRA 2016, YOU CAN SEE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11267271

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. I FEEL UNSAFE AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ON THE ROADS AND MERGING INTO THE HIGHWAYS BUT THAT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AT THE MOMENT TO GET TO WORK, TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND RUN ERRANDS.

NHTSA ODI #11266454

129,000 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS A SHUTTER IN LOW SPEEDS AND SLIGHTLY SLIPS

NHTSA ODI #11258205

24,500 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY CAR STARTED SHOWING A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME A BRAKE SENSOR WAS BAD SO THEY WENT TO FIX THAT BUT IT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. APPARENTLY A WIRE SHORTED AND REULTED IN ME NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS AND TH…

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MY CAR STARTED SHOWING A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME A BRAKE SENSOR WAS BAD SO THEY WENT TO FIX THAT BUT IT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. APPARENTLY A WIRE SHORTED AND REULTED IN ME NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CAR DIDNT INDICATE OR WARN ME I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME THE COST TO REPLACE THE HARNESS WAS $3000.00 OR THEY COULD RUN ANOTHER WIRE TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE FOR $1000.00 ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT RETAILS FOR $18000.00 THAT HAS 25000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11244685

41,864 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

WHEN THE COMBINATION SWITCH IS USED TO ACTUATE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, THE FLUID CONTINUES TO SPRAY AFTER IT IS RELEASED. ONLY PULLING THE SWITCH DOWN, AND BACK UP, WILL CAUSE IT TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, OR IN MOTION. OCCASIONALLY THE WASHERS WILL SPRAY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY STO…

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WHEN THE COMBINATION SWITCH IS USED TO ACTUATE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, THE FLUID CONTINUES TO SPRAY AFTER IT IS RELEASED. ONLY PULLING THE SWITCH DOWN, AND BACK UP, WILL CAUSE IT TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, OR IN MOTION. OCCASIONALLY THE WASHERS WILL SPRAY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY STOPPING WITH MANIPULATION OF THE COMBINATION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11243109

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2019
EnginePower Train

THE CVT IS CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT PICKUP SPEED AND IT'S CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON INTERSTATE. I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE MY PROBLEM WHY HASN'T A RECALLED BEEN ISSUED. ALSO MY CAR IS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA THAT I PURCHASED IN BATON ROUGE LA AFTER THE MAJOR FLOOD HERE I HOPE I WASNT' SOLD A CAR THAT HAD WATER…

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THE CVT IS CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT PICKUP SPEED AND IT'S CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON INTERSTATE. I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE MY PROBLEM WHY HASN'T A RECALLED BEEN ISSUED. ALSO MY CAR IS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA THAT I PURCHASED IN BATON ROUGE LA AFTER THE MAJOR FLOOD HERE I HOPE I WASNT' SOLD A CAR THAT HAD WATER DAMAGE

NHTSA ODI #11241932

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2019
EnginePower TrainWheels

MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA IS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN I WAS TRYING TO HIT THE GAS IT JUMPED UP ALMOST HIT THE FRONT CAR WE WERE BEHIND. CAR DOESN'T GO FASTER THEN 10MPH. I CAN'T BELIEVE BEING A NEW CAR I MUST PAY A LOT MONEY TO FIX TRANSMISSION. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED PLE…

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MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA IS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN I WAS TRYING TO HIT THE GAS IT JUMPED UP ALMOST HIT THE FRONT CAR WE WERE BEHIND. CAR DOESN'T GO FASTER THEN 10MPH. I CAN'T BELIEVE BEING A NEW CAR I MUST PAY A LOT MONEY TO FIX TRANSMISSION. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED PLEASE.I CAN'T PICK UP MY KIDS FROM SCHOOL OR PICK THEM UP FROM LOCATION I MEET EX HUSBAND TO GET THEM ON MY DAYS OF CUSTODY. I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED PLEASE

NHTSA ODI #11229293

74,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Engine

I'VE HAD THIS 2016 NISSAN SENTRA FOR 2 YEARS & 5 MONTHS. TODAY JUNE 29,2019 2:15 PM WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A REGULAR STREET MY CAR ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHILE STILL MOVING NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING WHEEL IS IS HARD TO TURN AFTER A MINUTE A COUPLE OF ITEMS LIGHTED UP ON THE DASHBOATD LIKE CHECK ENGI…

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I'VE HAD THIS 2016 NISSAN SENTRA FOR 2 YEARS & 5 MONTHS. TODAY JUNE 29,2019 2:15 PM WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A REGULAR STREET MY CAR ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHILE STILL MOVING NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING WHEEL IS IS HARD TO TURN AFTER A MINUTE A COUPLE OF ITEMS LIGHTED UP ON THE DASHBOATD LIKE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL ETC... TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MANEUVER GOOD THING THERE WERE NO ON COMING CARS ON THE ROAD. I WAITED A VOUPLE MINUTES THEN RESTARTED THE CAR & IT STARTED. TURNED OFF THE RADIO , AUR CPNDITION & UNPLUGGED THE CHARGER & DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY ISSUES BUT WAS SCARED THAT IT WOULD STOP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11228431

48,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Engine

RPM RAMPS WHEN SPEED GET UP TO 75 OR HIGHER.

NHTSA ODI #11222421

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.