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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

Structure complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2021
Structure

I have replaced bumper clips twice. They continue to break off. Please advise whey these plastic clips break off. I'm afraid bumper can break off in highway and cause an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11434511

93,300 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Power TrainStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

BROUGHT THIS 2016 IN APRIL OF 2020, AFTER I INITIALLY DROVE IT , MY DAUGHTER TOOK OVER DRIVING IT SINCE I'M A DISABLED VETERAN. MY FIANCE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN JUNE AND REALIZED IT WAS A DIFFERENT FEELING WITH THE CAR . TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED TWO FRONT TIRES AND PERFORM A TUNE UP . MY YOUNG DAUGHTER PICK IT FROM T…

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BROUGHT THIS 2016 IN APRIL OF 2020, AFTER I INITIALLY DROVE IT , MY DAUGHTER TOOK OVER DRIVING IT SINCE I'M A DISABLED VETERAN. MY FIANCE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN JUNE AND REALIZED IT WAS A DIFFERENT FEELING WITH THE CAR . TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED TWO FRONT TIRES AND PERFORM A TUNE UP . MY YOUNG DAUGHTER PICK IT FROM THE SHOP AND WENT OFF TO COLLEGE IN BALTIMORE,MARYLAND. SHE RETURNED TO PALM BEACH IN SEPTEMBER .AFTER SHE GOT HOME , THE CAR JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNEXPECTED. MY FIANCE TOOK THE CAR FOR A DRIVE AND NOTICE IT DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK IT TO TWO SHOPS WHO INFORMED ME TWO DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS., ONE BEING THE TRANSMISSION. THEY INFORM ME TO CONTACT NISSAN WHO IN TURN TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION AT WHICH TIME ON 9/13/2020 , MY DAUGHTER HAD A ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR COULDN'T PICK UP SPEED FAST ENOUGH TO MERGE INTO THE NEXT LANE . I'M HAPPY MY DAUGHTER WASN'T HURT BUT DEVASTATED THAT THIS CAR , 4 YEARS OLD IN MY POSSESSION ABOUT 4 MONTHS NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REPAIR. I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS FROM A VEHICLE THAT I STILL HAVE 3 YEARS REMAINING AND FROM NISSAN WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A RELIABLE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #11355274

67,000 miles · Aug 30, 2020
Structure

BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, DOOR HANDLES ARE COMING APART AT THE SAME TIME. UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, MUST OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. DIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS BREAKING INTO TWO (2) PIECES.

NHTSA ODI #11352093

83,000 miles · Jan 13, 2020
Structure

THE PAINT ON THE ROOF, HOOD, AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT QUARTER PANELS OF THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO COME OFF TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ROOF NEAREST TO THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE INSIDE OF THE QUARTER PANELS CLOSETS TO THE TRUNK LID, AND THE FRONT TOP PART OF THE HOOD. QM1 I THINK IS THE PAINT CODE. IT'S A 3-STAGE WHITE. I DON'T…

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THE PAINT ON THE ROOF, HOOD, AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT QUARTER PANELS OF THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO COME OFF TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ROOF NEAREST TO THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE INSIDE OF THE QUARTER PANELS CLOSETS TO THE TRUNK LID, AND THE FRONT TOP PART OF THE HOOD. QM1 I THINK IS THE PAINT CODE. IT'S A 3-STAGE WHITE. I DON'T BELIEVE THE PAINT IS SUPPOSED TO ALREADY BE PEELING OFF OF A 2016 VEHICLE. I HAVE MORE PHOTOS IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI #11299022

45,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Structure

THE DOOR HANDLE IS A TWO PIECE PIECE OF PLASTIC AND IT BREAKS VERY EASILY ALMOST AS IF IT WAS ENGINEERED TO BREAK. I CURRENTLY HAVE IT SECURED WITH ZIP TIES BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF REPLACING THE CHEAP CRAPPY PLASTIC ON MY DIME.

NHTSA ODI #11219633

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2019
StructureSuspensionWheels

THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELARATIING, THIS CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA, IT STARTED ABOUT 8 MOS AGO AND NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT ALSO HAS LIKE A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING 65-70 AND OVER. TWO ISSUES THE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA AND THE WHI…

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THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELARATIING, THIS CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA, IT STARTED ABOUT 8 MOS AGO AND NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT ALSO HAS LIKE A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING 65-70 AND OVER. TWO ISSUES THE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AREA AND THE WHISTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER 65 MPH. I'VE NEVER HAVE BUMPED THE CAR OVER THE SIDESIDE WALK FOR THE CLICKING NOISE IT JUST STARTED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE CAR MAKES THE WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGH SPEED

NHTSA ODI #11191753

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

48,000 miles · Oct 10, 2018
SteeringStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER LEFT OR RIGHT OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED DRIVING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER LEFT OR RIGHT OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED DRIVING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PETRO NISSAN (LOCATED AT 6248 US-98, HATTIESBURG, MS 39402, (601) 450-1470) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR GASKET CAUSED THE NOISE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHY THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 33045074. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11139526

31,700 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Service BrakesStructureWheels

I PURCHASED A CAR FROM WILSON MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY USED AS A RENTAL BY THEIR CUSTOMERS WHILE THEIR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND THEY HAVE FOUGHT ME ON WARRANTIES TO COVER. WHEN I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY PULLED THE AUTOCHECK REPORT TO FIND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN PURCHASED …

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I PURCHASED A CAR FROM WILSON MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY USED AS A RENTAL BY THEIR CUSTOMERS WHILE THEIR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND THEY HAVE FOUGHT ME ON WARRANTIES TO COVER. WHEN I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY PULLED THE AUTOCHECK REPORT TO FIND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM AN AUCTION IN CA AND IS SHOWING A TITLE BRAND FOR FRAME OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RECORD AND A POSSIBLE ODOMETER ROLLBACK. THE TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY AND ARE NOT SAFE AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE BRAKES OUT OF MY POCKET. I CAN'T TRADE THE CAR IN DUE TO THIS REPORT. I WAS LIED TO AND NOW I CAN'T GET WARRANTY SERVICE OR ABLE TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. I CANNOT GET THE GENERAL MANAGER TO RETURN MY MESSAGES.

NHTSA ODI #11101261

36,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructureCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #11020019

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.