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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

10 reports
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90,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I HAD RECENTLY DRIVING A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA I OWN. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE IN MY AREA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY DECELERATED WHILE STALLING TO ABOUT 30 MILE PER HOUR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER FROM THE RIGHT LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND HAD THE SHOULDER JUST TO MY RI…

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I HAD RECENTLY DRIVING A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA I OWN. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE IN MY AREA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY DECELERATED WHILE STALLING TO ABOUT 30 MILE PER HOUR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER FROM THE RIGHT LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND HAD THE SHOULDER JUST TO MY RIGHT AS TRAFFIC WAS RELATIVELY HEAVY. CANDIDLY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH THE VEHICLE AS I DID SWERVE AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. KEEP IN MIND I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILE PER HOURS. THE CAR IS NOW WITH WOODFIELD NISSAN IN SCHAUMBURG, IL SINCE THURSDAY, JULY 30. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EGI). I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS WAS AND THAT THE COST WOULD BE ALMOST $3,000. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS SAME MODEL YEAR CAR BUT MY CAR DID NOT MEET NISSAN?S REQUIREMENT SINCE THE VIN #?S WERE ALREADY IDENTIFIED . I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH REGARDING THIS KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. NISSAN ONLY AGREED TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL VEHICLES DURING A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME. I'M NOT CLEAR WHY MY VEHICLE VIN#[XXX] IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, I'M EXPERIENCING WHAT THE RECALL OUTLINED. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS CASES REPORTED ONLINE. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE CAMPAIGN CODE PM6580. NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO COOPERATE AND ASSIT WITH THE CURRENT PRODUCTION ISSUE I?M EXPERIENCING. MY 2016 NISSAN HAS BEEN AT WOODFILED NISSAN SINCE 7/30 WITH THE HARNESS ON BACKORDER. I'M NOT CERTAIN WHY VIN# WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AS I'M EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT IN A PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT, WHILE IT?S A VERY DANGEROUS PRODUCTION ISSUE. I FEEL IT'S UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE AS A CUSTOMER THAT IS EXPERIENCING A PRODUCTION RECALL ISSUE. NISSAN CASE # [XXX]. SINCERELY, [XXX] CAR UNDER [XXX] AT DEALER OR [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11350044

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Visibility/wiper

DEFECTIVE MANUCTURER WINDOW TINT HAS 2 INCH ROUND DOTS ALL OVER WINDOW TINT ON CAR. DRIVER SIDE DOOR INSIDE UNLOCK BUTTON DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11315392

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

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

300 miles · May 14, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE, THEREFORE IT'S VERY SCARY TO TRY TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY , NISSAN DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE DUE TO WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11207614

95 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TIMING AND ELECTRICAL, THROTTLE CLUTCH CONTROL PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11161988

3,500 miles · Dec 1, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

NISSAN IS SELLING VEHICLES KNOWING THAT TRANSMISSIONS WILL ONLY LAST 2 YEARS BUT OVERCHARGING CONSUMERS AND CONSUMERS ARE STUCK WITH VEHICLE REPAIRS WHICH IS NOT AFFORDABLE. NO CONSUMER SHOULD BE CHARGED 22,000 AND OVER FOR A NISSAN SENTRA AND 2 YEARS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS A RIP-…

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NISSAN IS SELLING VEHICLES KNOWING THAT TRANSMISSIONS WILL ONLY LAST 2 YEARS BUT OVERCHARGING CONSUMERS AND CONSUMERS ARE STUCK WITH VEHICLE REPAIRS WHICH IS NOT AFFORDABLE. NO CONSUMER SHOULD BE CHARGED 22,000 AND OVER FOR A NISSAN SENTRA AND 2 YEARS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS A RIP-OFF TO CONSUMERS. THE CAR HAS BEEN SOUNDING STRANGE SINCE DRIVING IT BUT ALL I KEEP HEARING NOTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11155320

60,820 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2016 NISSAN SENTRA SR (CURRENT MILEAGE EST. 60,000 MILES) THE IGNITION ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE HAS STARTED AROUND 20,000 MILES. NORMALLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DURING MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK (WHICH IS 60 MILES A DAY), THE SLIP TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. DURING THIS TIME T…

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2016 NISSAN SENTRA SR (CURRENT MILEAGE EST. 60,000 MILES) THE IGNITION ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE HAS STARTED AROUND 20,000 MILES. NORMALLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DURING MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK (WHICH IS 60 MILES A DAY), THE SLIP TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. DURING THIS TIME THE ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE IS STALLING. A JERKING MOTION AS I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. A REPAIR WAS INITIATED BUT NO TO AVAIL, THE ACCELERATION IS STILL STALLING. THERE IS A FAULT IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, THE BRAKE SWITCH ACTS UP AND THE CAR CAN'T TURN ON. THE BRAKE GETS STIFF AND I'M UNABLE TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE FOR 10 -30 MINUTES. PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON ALONE, THE CAR WILL LIGHT UP AND THE RADIO WILL TURN ON THEREFORE THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. THE BRAKE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH A NEW BRAKE SWITCH IN MY VEHICLE. ALSO, IF MY CAR IS PARKED AFTER AN HOUR OR SO , I HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING ON THE CAR, BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND I WAIT ONCE AGAIN UNTIL THE PEDAL UNLOCKS. AT THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO FILL UP MY TANK, FIVE MINUTES LATER I'M UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE ON, AGAIN BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD. ALL OIL CHANGES AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11119946

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

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

NHTSA ODI #11058399

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.