IllustrationI WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR WHICH IS A PUSH TO START COMPLETELY STOPPED. I TRY TO RESTART IT BUT COULDN'T. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sentra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
2625–50K
3150–75K
2575–100K
29100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsTHERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELARATIING, THIS CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA, IT STARTED ABOUT 8 MOS AGO AND NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT ALSO HAS LIKE A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING 65-70 AND OVER. TWO ISSUES THE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA AND THE WHI…
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THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELARATIING, THIS CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA, IT STARTED ABOUT 8 MOS AGO AND NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT ALSO HAS LIKE A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING 65-70 AND OVER. TWO ISSUES THE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA AND THE WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER 65 MPH. I'VE NEVER HAVE BUMPED THE CAR OVER THE SIDESIDE WALK FOR THE CLICKING NOISE IT JUST STARTED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE CAR MAKES THE WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGH SPEED
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER EVEN WITH ENGAGED ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SLIPPING. FEELS LIKE IT SKIPPING ALONG THE STREET WITH LOSS OF POWER.
THERE'S A YELLOW DASHBOARD LIGHT AND A RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, TOO. NISSAN SAYS IT'S A SIGN OF A FAULTY OCS AND SENSORS. I JUST FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND I'M NOT SURE THE 1ST OWNERS HAD IT CHECKED AND FIXED. I'…
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THERE'S A YELLOW DASHBOARD LIGHT AND A RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, TOO. NISSAN SAYS IT'S A SIGN OF A FAULTY OCS AND SENSORS. I JUST FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND I'M NOT SURE THE 1ST OWNERS HAD IT CHECKED AND FIXED. I'M A 2ND OWNER. EITHER WAY, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. SIMILAR RECALL WAS APRIL 26, 2016 | RECALL 16V244000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KRAFT NISSAN (3277 MAHAN DR, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308, (850) 576-6171). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KRAFT NISSAN (3277 MAHAN DR, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308, (850) 576-6171). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE ON ACCELERATION FROM A GREEN LIGHT AND IS JERKING SOMETIMES UPON ACCELERATION. THEN GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT HESITATES BEFORE IT HITS 60 MPH I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 45,000 MILES AND PAYMENT. I MADE A MISTAKE BECAUSE FORM OTHER COMPLAINTS THE CVT IS HAS A TON OF ISSUES AND NEEDS TO BE RE…
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TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE ON ACCELERATION FROM A GREEN LIGHT AND IS JERKING SOMETIMES UPON ACCELERATION. THEN GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT HESITATES BEFORE IT HITS 60 MPH I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 45,000 MILES AND PAYMENT. I MADE A MISTAKE BECAUSE FORM OTHER COMPLAINTS THE CVT IS HAS A TON OF ISSUES AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN SOUTH MORROW (LOCATED AT 6889 JONESBORO ROAD, MORROW, GA 30260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AAMCO. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN SOUTH MORROW (LOCATED AT 6889 JONESBORO ROAD, MORROW, GA 30260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AAMCO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TIMING AND ELECTRICAL, THROTTLE CLUTCH CONTROL PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES.
ON MY RADIO, IT ALSO HAS GPS & BACKUP CAMERA AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IT TURNS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT TURNS BACK ON AND THE RADIO GOES FULL BLAST. I AM ASSUMING THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT DID IT AGAIN 12/13/18. I AM WORRIED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FOR THE WHOLE CAR IS GOING TO SHUT OFF.
THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ALMOST 114K ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. WAS TOLD IT CANT BE FIXED OR SEALED BECAUSE OF THE CVT TECHNOLOGY THAT PREVENTS REPAIRS. COSTS ABOUT $4K TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHY CAN'T THE TRANSMISSION BE REPAIRED? WHY ISN'T THE 120K POWERTRAIN COVERAGE AUTOMATIC IF YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR PROD…
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THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ALMOST 114K ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. WAS TOLD IT CANT BE FIXED OR SEALED BECAUSE OF THE CVT TECHNOLOGY THAT PREVENTS REPAIRS. COSTS ABOUT $4K TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHY CAN'T THE TRANSMISSION BE REPAIRED? WHY ISN'T THE 120K POWERTRAIN COVERAGE AUTOMATIC IF YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT AND BRAND?
Official recalls
621V135000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.