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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

What owners actually said

270 reports
22,000 miles · Apr 4, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22…

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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #11459537

123,000 miles · Mar 22, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started slowing down and the RPM indicator was circling around. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart three times and then drove to the dealer to have the vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started slowing down and the RPM indicator was circling around. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart three times and then drove to the dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457843

18,000 miles · Mar 21, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the RPM's were rising however, the vehicle was decelerating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer how…

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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the RPM's were rising however, the vehicle was decelerating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The contact stated he had taken the vehicle to the local dealer on four occasions. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457674

27,321 miles · Mar 14, 2022
EngineExterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated the vehicle overheated and stalled. The oil, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer w…

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The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated the vehicle overheated and stalled. The oil, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,321. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11456561

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2022
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the re…

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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11456275

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Power Train

CVT transmission. We bought the car February 2021 at approximately 95,000 miles I have 106,000 miles & the CVT transmission needs replaced. I saw there were class action lawsuits against them I California but I'm the Texas. I called Nissan headquarters & was told there was nothing they could do to help me. I stalled in traffic, …

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CVT transmission. We bought the car February 2021 at approximately 95,000 miles I have 106,000 miles & the CVT transmission needs replaced. I saw there were class action lawsuits against them I California but I'm the Texas. I called Nissan headquarters & was told there was nothing they could do to help me. I stalled in traffic, it jerked & rattled & I thought the tires were going to fall off. I was then scared to drive. I took it to a transmission shop in my town & they said it was the CVT transmission. Nissan told us to take it to a Nissan dealer. They said it was the CVT transmission. Over $4,500.00 to replace it. Please help me.

NHTSA ODI #11453536

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Service Brakes

wE HAVE ALREADY PAID MONEY TO HAVE THE RECALL ISSUE FIXED WITH A DEALER. I AM NOT SURE IF IT WILL BE THE SAME FIX BUT WE WOULD REQUEST TO BE REFUNDED FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR WE HAD DONE ON THE CAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11453490

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2022
Exterior LightingService BrakesUnknown Or Other

Dealership will only repair stop light, but there are other problems such as no start,mil illumination. Dealer want me to pay for a dia. test in order to fix the issues.

NHTSA ODI #11452838

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2022
Engine

Vehicle Stalls randomly. Numerous times on numerous dates.

NHTSA ODI #11450716

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The transmission has failed and I am unable to drive forward. This is the second transmission to fail in two years.

NHTSA ODI #11449696

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.