2016 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 270 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 18 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMar 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.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V135000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringJun 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).
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.
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.
Campaign 16V485000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 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.
If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V242000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
24 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Air bags, Apr 3, 2025, crash
I filed a complaint a couple months ago, about my car driving erratic and slipping of gears , jolting, cutting off in traffic etc; Now this complaint is about an accident caused by the jolting of the car which crashed my car into the back of someone else’s… this car is a death trap… Nissan needs to be held responsible for these death trap cars Cvt transmission is its major problem… this season of car was recalled but my car was not…. It was a major recall on these cars I need my transmission repaired by Nissan…. My first complaint was of driving disasters jerking of transmission slipping cutting off in traffic my life’s been in danger since I bought this car now I damaged my car and someone else car do to Nissan’s negligence….Not holding up to repairing their malfunctioning cars….
Electrical system, Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 3, 2022
My airbags have been turned off and I cannot push the button to reactivate them, also cruise control stopped working and seems to be electri all issue all related
Air bags, Seats, Jan 2, 2022, crash
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.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2021
The Red Airbag light is always on upon starting car
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2021
THE LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG WENT ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF
Air bags, Aug 13, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A UNKNOWN VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS HOWEVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *DT*JB
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2020
MY AIR BAGS ARE ON
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 14, 2019
THERE'S A YELLOW DASHBOARD LIGHT AND A RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, TOO. NISSAN SAYS IT'S A SIGN OF A FAULTY OCS AND SENSORS. I JUST FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND I'M NOT SURE THE 1ST OWNERS HAD IT CHECKED AND FIXED. I'M A 2ND OWNER. EITHER WAY, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. SIMILAR RECALL WAS APRIL 26, 2016 | RECALL 16V244000.
Air bags, Sep 28, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS STRUCK (T-BONED) ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE AND METAL FRAGMENTS EXITED FROM THE AIR BAG AMIDST A CLOUD OF THICK, BLACK SMOKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS TRAFFIC COLLISION INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIB CAGE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED INSURANCE CLAIM NUMBER: [XXX] REGARDING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.*DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Aug 29, 2018, crash
I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT GOING 55+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT HIT BY A BIG RIG AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED SO THEY FIXED THEM. I WAS HIT BY A BIG RIG WHICH WRECKED MY WHOLE CAR MAKING IT NOT DRIVEABLE THE WINDOWS WERE ALL SHATTERED AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *DT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB
Air bags, Aug 2, 2018, crash
I WAS SMASHED IN BETWEEN TWO CARS AT A RED LIGHT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED.
Air bags, Jul 7, 2018
LETTER RECEIVED FROM NISSAN REGARDING POSSIBLE FRONT AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSOR MALFUNCTION. OUR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS INCONSISTENTLY WITH THE SAME INDIVIDUAL SITTING IN THE SEAT (WEIGHING 110-115 LBS) WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; SYSTEM WORKS PROPERLY AT TIMES INDICATING PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THEN AT OTHER TIMES NOTES AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE'RE NOW ENCOUNTERING DIFFICULTIES WITH NISSAN CORRECTING/FIXING THE ACKNOWLEDGED (BY NISSAN) PROBLEM DUE TO THE INCONSISTENT NATURE OF THE ISSUE. CONCERNED THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK CORRECTLY UPON POTENTIAL COLLISION AND REQUESTING THE SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING BE REPLACED.
Air bags, Apr 3, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT *TR
Air bags, Mar 5, 2018, crash
CAR WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DOWN, CAR BEHIND ME WAS APPROACHING VERY FAST. CAR HIT ME AND THEN I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2018
TAKATA PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER OF WEIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD NOT BE OFF. THE CAR ALSO SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF IT'S LOSING POWER ALMOST JERKS SOME WHEN STOPPED & YOU PRESS THE GAS ESPECIALLY IF HEAT OR AIR IS ON
Air bags, Dec 23, 2017
ON 12\07\2017 THE CAR WAS HIT SO HARD IT TOTAL THE CAR OUT. IT WAS IN THE FRONT AN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT. ME AND A FRIEND WAS IN THE CAR WE BOTH HURT BUT DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OWNED OVER A YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT REPLIED TO IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THE 27,000. I AM AT A LOST FOR WORDS. NO CAR FOR WORK HAVE TO TURN THE RENTAL IN ON THE 27 OF THIS MONTH. THANK YOU SAD AN CONFUSED. BY THE WAY THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT AT A STAND STILL.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2017
DRIVERS AIR BAG POPPED WHEN THE DOOR WAS SLAMMED STATIONARY,, THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH AIRBAGS POPPED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION MOVING APPX 35 M P H, ON RURAL ROAD.
Air bags, Nov 28, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
DEALER HAS FAILED TO REPLACE AIRBAG, BEEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE FOR OTHER UNRESOLVED ISSUES.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Aug 28, 2017, crash
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
Air bags, Jul 26, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V253000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROUND ROCK NISSAN, 3050 NORTH IH 35, ROUND ROCK, TX, 78681) STATED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 5, 2017
NISSAN POSTED A NEW RECALL FOR NISSAN SENTRAS (17V-253 RECALL DATE: APRIL 13, 2017) HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT ACTUALLY RELEASED PARTS FOR THIS RECALL AND WILL NOT FOR SEVERAL MORE WEEKS. THEY ARE MISLEADING THE PUBLIC THAT THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS AIRBAG ISSUE WHEN IN FACT THERE IS NO CURRENT REMEDY.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2016
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.
Air bags, Jul 14, 2016
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.