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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

Engine complaints

48 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS, I WILL BE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT LOSES SPEED FOR NO REASON. I TRY TO GET IT GAS AND MY SPEED DECREASES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS SCARY PROBLEM. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT'S GONNA TAKE SOMEONE LOSING THERE LIFE BEFORE…

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THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS, I WILL BE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT LOSES SPEED FOR NO REASON. I TRY TO GET IT GAS AND MY SPEED DECREASES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS SCARY PROBLEM. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT'S GONNA TAKE SOMEONE LOSING THERE LIFE BEFORE NISSAN WILL ADMIT THIS BE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN

NHTSA ODI #11299495

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2019
Engine

THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND I JUST BOUGHT IT AND NOW HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR SOMETHING I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH AT THIS TIME

NHTSA ODI #11286373

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

75,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

MODEL 2016 ALREADY NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. HAPPENS OFTEN - THE DEALERS EVEN STOCK IT. WILL ONLY GUARANTEE THE WORK FOR ONE YEAR, AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. CAR STALLS CONSTANTLY, HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS AND MUST BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11207556

48,000 miles · Apr 26, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF. THE CAR BUCKS AND LOSES POWER,THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE MOVES UP AND DOWN. RPM SENSOR?.THE BRAKES (REAR DRUMS CRUNCHING). I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT BILLS FOR THE BRAKES. IM TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS SITUATION WITH THE BUCKING OF MY CAR. READ UP ON COMPLAINTS DUE TO TROUBLE WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION. I DO…

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THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF. THE CAR BUCKS AND LOSES POWER,THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE MOVES UP AND DOWN. RPM SENSOR?.THE BRAKES (REAR DRUMS CRUNCHING). I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT BILLS FOR THE BRAKES. IM TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS SITUATION WITH THE BUCKING OF MY CAR. READ UP ON COMPLAINTS DUE TO TROUBLE WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH BACK AND FORTH B.S.ABOUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ETC. I OWN IT OUTRIGHT.WANT IT TAKEN CARE OF. ITS HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN IT BUCKS BACK AND FORTH AND LOSES POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11203923

63,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLED TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY ONRAMP. CAR STARTS BUT DOES NOT GET INTO GEAR AND DIES. MAY BE SIMILAR TO NISSAN SENTRA 2016 ISSUE WITH ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. BUT MY CAR A NISSAN SENTRA S 2016 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11203226

70,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFire

I 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.

NHTSA ODI #11195711

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.