Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
2625–50K
3150–75K
2575–100K
29100–150K
3150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
NHTSA ODI #11449557
94,500 miles · Jan 28, 2022
Power Train
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 20 MPH within a few seconds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed wit…
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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 20 MPH within a few seconds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing transmission replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.
NHTSA ODI #11449250
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train
Unknown transmission issues cvt
NHTSA ODI #11446986
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2022
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury
Airbag did Not deploy when in a multi vehicle accident. Total loss, seat broke during impact, frame bent . Front end and rear end damage. Total hazard. I had maintenance done June 5 at Nissan dealer and was never notified of any open recalls.
NHTSA ODI #11445866
113,000 miles · Nov 15, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who informed her of a class-action lawsuit that had been filed against Nissan'…
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The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who informed her of a class-action lawsuit that had been filed against Nissan's CVT transmissions. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that she no longer qualified for the warranty extension for the transmission. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #11440527
100,000 miles · Nov 12, 2021
Service BrakesCrashInjury
The contact's son owned a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to operate causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact mentioned that her son sustained bruised chest and the driver from the …
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The contact's son owned a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to operate causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact mentioned that her son sustained bruised chest and the driver from the other vehicle sustained rib inquiries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The contact contacted an independent mechanic and informed them that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 21v135000 ( exterior lights). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a reference number. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11440186
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2021
Electrical System
In the event of an accident this vehicle doors will not open until the key is in the off position and removed from the ignition. You cannot exit the vehicle doors at any time when the motor is running or the key is still in the ignition. Death trap !
NHTSA ODI #11438459
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
The car would not start.Yes it was inspected at the car repair shop.I have had to jump start the car many times
NHTSA ODI #11438303
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Air Bags
The Red Airbag light is always on upon starting car
NHTSA ODI #11438193
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
As my vehicle was exiting a major highway, the vehicle began to shake and putter. I was able to put my vehicle in park within 1 minute of this puttering. Once in park, the vehicle began to shake more rapidly and louder. I assumed something terrible was going to happen and shut the car off. After an hour and a half, I started the…
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As my vehicle was exiting a major highway, the vehicle began to shake and putter. I was able to put my vehicle in park within 1 minute of this puttering. Once in park, the vehicle began to shake more rapidly and louder. I assumed something terrible was going to happen and shut the car off. After an hour and a half, I started the vehicle back up and not to my surprise experienced the puttering and shaking once again. I put the vehicle in drive and began to slowly step on the gas while turning into the road and the car shut completely off and slid back toward the curb with the engine light on and battery. I had to call AAA to have me towed home and on their arrival, they were able to back the vehicle up and forward as long as he pushed down full throttle. The AAA representative suggested through his knowledge of mechanics that it seems there is an issue with either the spark plugs or the fuel pump/filter combo. After changing the spark plugs and still having this issue tonight....we are leaning towards the pump as the issue. There were no lights or warnings prior to the shaking that began as stated in this entry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2016 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year