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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
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR MAKES WIND NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR

NHTSA ODI #10980934

1,000 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

PURCHASED MY CAR IN LATE NOVEMBER. BEFORE THE CAR HIT 1,000, I RETURNED IT TO NISSAN BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MECHANIC AT NISSAN RAN TEST AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW MY CAR IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND WHEN I'M CHANGING THE GEARS. IT'S ALSO SHAKING REAL…

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PURCHASED MY CAR IN LATE NOVEMBER. BEFORE THE CAR HIT 1,000, I RETURNED IT TO NISSAN BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MECHANIC AT NISSAN RAN TEST AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW MY CAR IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND WHEN I'M CHANGING THE GEARS. IT'S ALSO SHAKING REALLY BAD WHEN THE CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE A PEACE OF MIND BUT ALL IT HAVE BEEN IS A HEADACHE AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10980882

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WILL DO MY UTMOST TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM THAT I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA... WHEN I FIRST TAKE-OFF IT BEGAN TO STALL AND SOON IT INCREASE SPEED AND I HARDLY HAVE MY FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY ALSO OTHER PEOPLE THAT I TRANSPORT INTO MY VEHICLE...DEFINITELY WHILE MAKING TURNS ON CITY STR…

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I WILL DO MY UTMOST TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM THAT I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY 2016 NISSAN SENTRA... WHEN I FIRST TAKE-OFF IT BEGAN TO STALL AND SOON IT INCREASE SPEED AND I HARDLY HAVE MY FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY ALSO OTHER PEOPLE THAT I TRANSPORT INTO MY VEHICLE...DEFINITELY WHILE MAKING TURNS ON CITY STREET AND HIGHWAYS AND THERE IS AN INDESCRIBABLE STRANGE SOUND THAT THE CAR IS MAKING IT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE PASSAGE SIDE...THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS SUPPOSE TO BE A GAS SAVER, BUT IS BURNING A RIGHT AMOUNT OF FUEL...THERE IS MORE PROBLEMS THAT CONCERN, HOWEVER I AM BEING TOLD NOT TO INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION INTO MY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10954868

43 miles · Feb 14, 2017
EnginePower TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR, AND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43.

NHTSA ODI #10954413

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2017
Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED MY NISSAN 12/27/2016 WITH 0 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS IN A RECALL STATUS SINCE 5/2016. IT IS NOW ONLY 1/18/2017 BUT THESE SAFETY CONCERNS WERE NEVER MENTIONED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AS OF YET I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM BUT I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR 3 WEEKS; BUT I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS A …

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I PURCHASED MY NISSAN 12/27/2016 WITH 0 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS IN A RECALL STATUS SINCE 5/2016. IT IS NOW ONLY 1/18/2017 BUT THESE SAFETY CONCERNS WERE NEVER MENTIONED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AS OF YET I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM BUT I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR 3 WEEKS; BUT I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS A LARGE DEALERSHIP KNOWINGLY SELLING FAULTY CARS TO UNSUSPECTING BUYERS.

NHTSA ODI #10945887

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2016
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE GLARE THAT IMPACTED HER VISIBILITY WHILE STARTING OR OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO USE THE VISOR TO PREVENT THE GLARE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT HAVE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE GLARE THAT IMPACTED HER VISIBILITY WHILE STARTING OR OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO USE THE VISOR TO PREVENT THE GLARE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT HAVE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TINTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/31/2017*CT *CN

NHTSA ODI #10935059

3,500 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500.

NHTSA ODI #10913811

4,700 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 90 MPH, A LOUD ROARING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 90 MPH, A LOUD ROARING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10892913

55,000 miles · Jul 14, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN THE FRONT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDIES FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN THE FRONT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDIES FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10884875

2,500 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

NHTSA ODI #10883013

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.