H HAD PROBLEMS WITH NOISE AND BRAKES, APART WITH THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE TAKE 9 TIMES TO THE DEALERS FOR NOTHING.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sentra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
270 reportsNISSAN 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.
WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF LOCKING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND I CAN NOT GET OUT!! LUCKILY I COULD RELEASE THE HOOD IF I HAVE SOMEONE TO LET ME OUT. IT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27 AT 10PM IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. I HAD A PANIC ATTACK TRYING TO GO FROM THE FRONT SEAT TO BACK AND BACK TO FRO…
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WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF LOCKING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND I CAN NOT GET OUT!! LUCKILY I COULD RELEASE THE HOOD IF I HAVE SOMEONE TO LET ME OUT. IT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27 AT 10PM IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. I HAD A PANIC ATTACK TRYING TO GO FROM THE FRONT SEAT TO BACK AND BACK TO FRONT. I PRESSED MY HEAD SO HARD AGAINST THE CEILING THAT I IMMEDIATELY GOT A MIGRAINE AND THREW UP. THREE DAYS LATER I STILL HAVE A MIGRAINE AND THROWING UP. SHOULD THE CAR LOCK UP LIKE THAT WHEN LOSING POWER.
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.
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.
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
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (NALLEY NISSAN, 2551 THE NALLEY WAY, ATLANTA, GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (NALLEY NISSAN, 2551 THE NALLEY WAY, ATLANTA, GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED DUE TO A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
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.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY OVER 60 MPH THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD 47,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS MADE THIS NOISE AND DONE IT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 59. T…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY OVER 60 MPH THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD 47,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS MADE THIS NOISE AND DONE IT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 59. THE BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN MASHED EVEN THOUGH BRAKE PADS,ROTORS ARE GOOD AS WELL AS BRAKE FLUID. IT WILL MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT IT INTO GEAR AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. THE CAR JOLTS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE DRIVING AND IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL EVEN AFTER BRAND NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON, BALANCED, ROTATED AND ALIGNED.
Official recalls
621V135000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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