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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

Power Train complaints

127 reports
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100,000 miles · Dec 19, 2018
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11162538

114,000 miles · Dec 12, 2018
Power Train

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?

NHTSA ODI #11160938

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

64,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Power TrainStructure

WE BOUGHT A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA IN MARCH OF 2018. I TOOK IT IN COMPLAINING OF A WHINING NOISE A FEW MONTHS AFTER HAVING IT AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE OR FEEL ANYTHING THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE. NOW IN NOVEMBER THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. IT PUNCHES WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF, FEELS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER WHEN DR…

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WE BOUGHT A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA IN MARCH OF 2018. I TOOK IT IN COMPLAINING OF A WHINING NOISE A FEW MONTHS AFTER HAVING IT AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE OR FEEL ANYTHING THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE. NOW IN NOVEMBER THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. IT PUNCHES WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF, FEELS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, DIFFICULT ACCELERATING, JERKS WHILE DRIVING, SHIFTS ON ITS OWN FROM ABOUT 1.5 RPM UP TO 3 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND NISSAN SAID IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE I AM OVER 60,000 MILES (MY MILEAGE IS AT ABOUT 64,000 MILES). IT'S GOING TO COST $4500 TO REPLACE IT ACCORDING TO NISSAN. THE DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF AND IT HAS TO BE PUSHED BACK IN, THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WHISTLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11150960

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY VEHICLE JERKS AND MAKES NOISE WHEN SHIFTING IN GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND CAR PERFORMANCE IS NOT LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO DO. I HAVE READ RECALLS ON THE NISSAN SENTRA AND MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES THAT ARE FOUND ON OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11150845

77,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Power Train

DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED ON ME THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS CHANGING GEARS ON IT'S OWN ON THE HIGHWAY,IT WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FORTH REALLY BAD AND THE RPMS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH.FINALLY WHEN I TRIED TO GO UP THE STREET,THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL,HAD IT TO…

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DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED ON ME THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS CHANGING GEARS ON IT'S OWN ON THE HIGHWAY,IT WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FORTH REALLY BAD AND THE RPMS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH.FINALLY WHEN I TRIED TO GO UP THE STREET,THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL,HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR 4500.00,ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR, THAT'S CRAZY

NHTSA ODI #11149544

87,000 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Power Train

I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA THAT HAS CVT TRANSMISSION THAT IS BREAKING DOWN AFTER THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING, ACCELERATING, AND HESITATE AND LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING ON BOTH A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN FROM PREVIOUS MODELS AND THAT GO FROM 2003 TO 2010 MODELS…

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I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA THAT HAS CVT TRANSMISSION THAT IS BREAKING DOWN AFTER THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING, ACCELERATING, AND HESITATE AND LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING ON BOTH A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN FROM PREVIOUS MODELS AND THAT GO FROM 2003 TO 2010 MODELS WHERE THEY EXTENDED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. I FOUND THIS OUT THROUGH RESEARCH AND SEE THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR LATE MODEL CARS LIKE MINE. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL LIKE THIS ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF REPLACING IT AT $5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11142650

78,500 miles · Aug 19, 2018
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. IT STOPPED PULLING ON A BRIDGE ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING ON A STEP INCLINE. THE RPM S BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 78,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD DISPLAYING PROBLEMS SINCE 62,000 MILES, RIGHT AFTER THE W…

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THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. IT STOPPED PULLING ON A BRIDGE ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING ON A STEP INCLINE. THE RPM S BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 78,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD DISPLAYING PROBLEMS SINCE 62,000 MILES, RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11120881

87,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AT A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AT A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #11115299

65,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN OF FT MYERS (13985 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, FORT MYERS, FL 33912, (239) 415-8600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN OF FT MYERS (13985 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, FORT MYERS, FL 33912, (239) 415-8600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11111975

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.