IllustrationI WAS SMASHED IN BETWEEN TWO CARS AT A RED LIGHT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED.
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
Air Bags complaints
24 reportsLETTER RECEIVED FROM NISSAN REGARDING POSSIBLE FRONT AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSOR MALFUNCTION. OUR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS INCONSISTENTLY WITH THE SAME INDIVIDUAL SITTING IN THE SEAT (WEIGHING 110-115 LBS) WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; SYSTEM WORKS PROPERLY AT TIMES INDICATING PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THEN AT OTH…
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LETTER RECEIVED FROM NISSAN REGARDING POSSIBLE FRONT AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSOR MALFUNCTION. OUR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS INCONSISTENTLY WITH THE SAME INDIVIDUAL SITTING IN THE SEAT (WEIGHING 110-115 LBS) WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; SYSTEM WORKS PROPERLY AT TIMES INDICATING PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THEN AT OTHER TIMES NOTES AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE'RE NOW ENCOUNTERING DIFFICULTIES WITH NISSAN CORRECTING/FIXING THE ACKNOWLEDGED (BY NISSAN) PROBLEM DUE TO THE INCONSISTENT NATURE OF THE ISSUE. CONCERNED THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK CORRECTLY UPON POTENTIAL COLLISION AND REQUESTING THE SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT *TR
CAR WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DOWN, CAR BEHIND ME WAS APPROACHING VERY FAST. CAR HIT ME AND THEN I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
TAKATA PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER OF WEIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD NOT BE OFF. THE CAR ALSO SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF IT'S LOSING POWER ALMOST JERKS SOME WHEN STOPPED & YOU PRESS THE GAS ESPECIALLY IF HEAT OR AIR IS ON
ON 12\07\2017 THE CAR WAS HIT SO HARD IT TOTAL THE CAR OUT. IT WAS IN THE FRONT AN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT. ME AND A FRIEND WAS IN THE CAR WE BOTH HURT BUT DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OWNED OVER A YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT REPLIED TO IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THE 27,000. I AM AT A LOST FOR WORD…
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ON 12\07\2017 THE CAR WAS HIT SO HARD IT TOTAL THE CAR OUT. IT WAS IN THE FRONT AN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT. ME AND A FRIEND WAS IN THE CAR WE BOTH HURT BUT DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OWNED OVER A YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT REPLIED TO IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THE 27,000. I AM AT A LOST FOR WORDS. NO CAR FOR WORK HAVE TO TURN THE RENTAL IN ON THE 27 OF THIS MONTH. THANK YOU SAD AN CONFUSED. BY THE WAY THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT AT A STAND STILL.
DRIVERS AIR BAG POPPED WHEN THE DOOR WAS SLAMMED STATIONARY,, THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH AIRBAGS POPPED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION MOVING APPX 35 M P H, ON RURAL ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
DEALER HAS FAILED TO REPLACE AIRBAG, BEEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE FOR OTHER UNRESOLVED ISSUES.
WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T SUPPORT THE UPPER PART OF MY BODY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED IN PLACE AND NOW SEATBELT LIGHT ON DASH
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.