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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.

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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

Air Bags complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2025
Air BagsPower TrainCrash

I filed a complaint a couple months ago, about my car driving erratic and slipping of gears , jolting, cutting off in traffic etc; Now this complaint is about an accident caused by the jolting of the car which crashed my car into the back of someone else’s… this car is a death trap… Nissan needs to be held responsible for these …

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I filed a complaint a couple months ago, about my car driving erratic and slipping of gears , jolting, cutting off in traffic etc; Now this complaint is about an accident caused by the jolting of the car which crashed my car into the back of someone else’s… this car is a death trap… Nissan needs to be held responsible for these death trap cars Cvt transmission is its major problem… this season of car was recalled but my car was not…. It was a major recall on these cars I need my transmission repaired by Nissan…. My first complaint was of driving disasters jerking of transmission slipping cutting off in traffic my life’s been in danger since I bought this car now I damaged my car and someone else car do to Nissan’s negligence….Not holding up to repairing their malfunctioning cars….

NHTSA ODI #11652481

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

My airbags have been turned off and I cannot push the button to reactivate them, also cruise control stopped working and seems to be electri all issue all related

NHTSA ODI #11477275

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2022
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

Airbag did Not deploy when in a multi vehicle accident. Total loss, seat broke during impact, frame bent . Front end and rear end damage. Total hazard. I had maintenance done June 5 at Nissan dealer and was never notified of any open recalls.

NHTSA ODI #11445866

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Air Bags

The Red Airbag light is always on upon starting car

NHTSA ODI #11438193

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG WENT ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF

NHTSA ODI #11415492

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A UNKNOWN VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS HOWEVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A UNKNOWN VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS HOWEVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11349015

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

MY AIR BAGS ARE ON

NHTSA ODI #11340175

37,458 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11186887

6,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS STRUCK (T-BONED) ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE AND METAL FRAGMENTS EXITED FROM THE AIR BAG AMIDST A CLOUD OF THICK, BLACK SMOKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS STRUCK (T-BONED) ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE AND METAL FRAGMENTS EXITED FROM THE AIR BAG AMIDST A CLOUD OF THICK, BLACK SMOKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS TRAFFIC COLLISION INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIB CAGE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED INSURANCE CLAIM NUMBER: [XXX] REGARDING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.*DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11132171

80,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT GOING 55+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT HIT BY A BIG RIG AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED SO THEY FIXED THEM. I WAS HIT BY A BIG RIG WHICH WRECKED MY WHOLE CAR MAKING IT NOT DRIVEABLE THE WINDOWS WERE ALL SHATTE…

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I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT GOING 55+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT HIT BY A BIG RIG AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED SO THEY FIXED THEM. I WAS HIT BY A BIG RIG WHICH WRECKED MY WHOLE CAR MAKING IT NOT DRIVEABLE THE WINDOWS WERE ALL SHATTERED AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *DT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11123261

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.