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: electrical system
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 18, 2020
I HAD RECENTLY DRIVING A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA I OWN. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE IN MY AREA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY DECELERATED WHILE STALLING TO ABOUT 30 MILE PER HOUR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER FROM THE RIGHT LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND HAD THE SHOULDER JUST TO MY RIGHT AS TRAFFIC WAS RELATIVELY HEAVY. CANDIDLY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH THE VEHICLE AS I DID SWERVE AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. KEEP IN MIND I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILE PER HOURS. THE CAR IS NOW WITH WOODFIELD NISSAN IN SCHAUMBURG, IL SINCE THURSDAY, JULY 30. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EGI). I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS WAS AND THAT THE COST WOULD BE ALMOST $3,000. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS SAME MODEL YEAR CAR BUT MY CAR DID NOT MEET NISSAN?S REQUIREMENT SINCE THE VIN #?S WERE ALREADY IDENTIFIED . I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH REGARDING THIS KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. NISSAN ONLY AGREED TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL VEHICLES DURING A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME. I'M NOT CLEAR WHY MY VEHICLE VIN#[XXX] IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, I'M EXPERIENCING WHAT THE RECALL OUTLINED. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS CASES REPORTED ONLINE. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE CAMPAIGN CODE PM6580. NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO COOPERATE AND ASSIT WITH THE CURRENT PRODUCTION ISSUE I?M EXPERIENCING. MY 2016 NISSAN HAS BEEN AT WOODFILED NISSAN SINCE 7/30 WITH THE HARNESS ON BACKORDER. I'M NOT CERTAIN WHY VIN# WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AS I'M EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT IN A PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT, WHILE IT?S A VERY DANGEROUS PRODUCTION ISSUE. I FEEL IT'S UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE AS A CUSTOMER THAT IS EXPERIENCING A PRODUCTION RECALL ISSUE. NISSAN CASE # [XXX]. SINCERELY, [XXX] CAR UNDER [XXX] AT DEALER OR [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA FORCE WAS NEEDED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 20, 2020
UNABLE TO START VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY BREAK SWITCH. I TRIED TO PUSH THE BREAK AND START THE CAR. IT DOESNT START.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2019
THE PUSH BUTTON START IS VERY UNRELIABLE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE AAA TWICE FOR STARTING PROBLEMS AND TOWED TWICE TO THE NISSAN SERVICE GARQAGE I THIK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE I AM NOT COMFORTABLE GOING ANYPLACE AND KNOWING THAT IT MAY NOT START AFTER PARKED IT HAS THIS PROBLEM IN PARKING LOTS AND HOME GARAGE I AM 82 YEARS OLD AND ALL I WANTED WAS A SMALL DEPENDABLE CARE THIS IS NOT
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 25, 2019
CAR FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE STARTS AND STOPS CONTINUOUSLY AND VERY FAST WHEN ON HIGHWAY GOING 60-75 MPH, AND HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES AROUND LIKE CRAZY FROM ZERO TO BOUNCING PASS MY SPEED I'M DRIVING AT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO CURRENTLY. I PULL OVER AND LET IT REST, I DIDN'T SEE COMPLAINTS IN PAST ABOUT THIS FROM OTHERS UNTIL NOW, SO I THOUGHT I NOW MUST REPORT AS WELL. I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS ENGINE, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL RELATED, GAS PEDAL OR WHAT, BUT NOW REALIZING IT'S ENGINE ISSUES DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE I GOT IN THE MAIL AND A CIVIL LAWSUIT ACTION IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 14, 2019
MY CAR STARTED SHOWING A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME A BRAKE SENSOR WAS BAD SO THEY WENT TO FIX THAT BUT IT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. APPARENTLY A WIRE SHORTED AND REULTED IN ME NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CAR DIDNT INDICATE OR WARN ME I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME THE COST TO REPLACE THE HARNESS WAS $3000.00 OR THEY COULD RUN ANOTHER WIRE TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE FOR $1000.00 ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT RETAILS FOR $18000.00 THAT HAS 25000 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2019
WHEN THE COMBINATION SWITCH IS USED TO ACTUATE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, THE FLUID CONTINUES TO SPRAY AFTER IT IS RELEASED. ONLY PULLING THE SWITCH DOWN, AND BACK UP, WILL CAUSE IT TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, OR IN MOTION. OCCASIONALLY THE WASHERS WILL SPRAY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY STOPPING WITH MANIPULATION OF THE COMBINATION SWITCH.
Electrical system, Engine, May 14, 2019
MODEL 2016 ALREADY NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. HAPPENS OFTEN - THE DEALERS EVEN STOCK IT. WILL ONLY GUARANTEE THE WORK FOR ONE YEAR, AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. CAR STALLS CONSTANTLY, HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS AND MUST BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 11, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR WHICH IS A PUSH TO START COMPLETELY STOPPED. I TRY TO RESTART IT BUT COULDN'T. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE.
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.
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2018
ON MY RADIO, IT ALSO HAS GPS & BACKUP CAMERA AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IT TURNS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT TURNS BACK ON AND THE RADIO GOES FULL BLAST. I AM ASSUMING THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT DID IT AGAIN 12/13/18. I AM WORRIED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FOR THE WHOLE CAR IS GOING TO SHUT OFF.
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2018
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 11, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2018
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2016 WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT FROM ME DRIVING OFF WITH IT. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE. IVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE DUE TO LOW NOISES IT MADE IF I DROVE OVER 10 MPH. THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR FOR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULDN'T CUT ON FROM THE NOISES IT MADE. NOW MY CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. ALL MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE AND MY CAR HAS 55,000 EVEN TODAY! THE BATTERY IS NOW AND CHARGED. ALL CABLES ARE TIGHT. I HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 14, 2018
2016 NISSAN SENTRA SR (CURRENT MILEAGE EST. 60,000 MILES) THE IGNITION ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE HAS STARTED AROUND 20,000 MILES. NORMALLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DURING MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK (WHICH IS 60 MILES A DAY), THE SLIP TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. DURING THIS TIME THE ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE IS STALLING. A JERKING MOTION AS I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. A REPAIR WAS INITIATED BUT NO TO AVAIL, THE ACCELERATION IS STILL STALLING. THERE IS A FAULT IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, THE BRAKE SWITCH ACTS UP AND THE CAR CAN'T TURN ON. THE BRAKE GETS STIFF AND I'M UNABLE TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE FOR 10 -30 MINUTES. PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON ALONE, THE CAR WILL LIGHT UP AND THE RADIO WILL TURN ON THEREFORE THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. THE BRAKE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH A NEW BRAKE SWITCH IN MY VEHICLE. ALSO, IF MY CAR IS PARKED AFTER AN HOUR OR SO , I HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING ON THE CAR, BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND I WAIT ONCE AGAIN UNTIL THE PEDAL UNLOCKS. AT THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO FILL UP MY TANK, FIVE MINUTES LATER I'M UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE ON, AGAIN BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD. ALL OIL CHANGES AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2018
ASSUMING THIS MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM I COULD NOT START IT HAS PLENTY OF VOLTAGE. MANUFACTUREDDEFECT OF MARCH 11TH FOR SAME MODEL ONLY ONE MONTH SHY OF THE RECALL FROM APRIL 11TH ARE YOU SURE THIS MANUFACTURE DATE DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL AS OTHER BUILT ONE MONTH LATER?LVE ONLY HAD FOR 2 MONTHS AND I'M ALREADY HAVING AN ISSUE. BOUGHT FROM HERTZ CAR SALES IN ROSEVILLE, CAN. NOT STARTING ALL THE TIME JUST GETTING A CLICK SO RULING OUT THE STARTER NOT HAPPY
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 20, 2018
WHILE BRAKING THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUTS OFF. THE DEALER SAY THEY HAVE "FIXED" THE PROBLEM TWICE AND THEN ON MY 3RD ATTEMPT TO HAVE IT FIXED THEY INFORMED ME IT IS A "NORMAL WORKING CONDITION" THEY THEN TOLD ME I WAS TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR SURVEY LIST BECAUSE OF A POTENTIALLY BAD REVIEW AND THEN WAS TOLD I COULDN'T BRING THE CAR BACK FOR THIS ISSUE ANYMORE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 13, 2018
PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF NEWNAN, IN OCTOBER OF 2016 SENTRA - WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT STARTED HESITATING BEFORE PICKING UP ANY SPEED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED OVER TO READ THE MANUAL AND IT STATED TO CHECK THE GAS CAP, IT WAS NOT ON TIGHT SO I REMOVED IT A PLACED IT BACK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THE CAR STARTING JERKING BEFORE GAINING TO 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE RMP GAUGE WOULD ZIP UP TO 4 GO BACK TO 2 BEFORE MOVING TO A HIGHER SPEED. WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF, ONCE I STARTED IT BACK UP THE CAR WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS DEALING WITH SOMETHING ELECTRICAL AND THE TRANSMISSION. LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. I OWNED OLDER MODEL FOR 5 YEARS, OVER 200,000 MILES BEFORE I HAD ANY PROBLEMS FROM THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER (TEDDY NISSAN, 3660 BOSTON RD, BRONX, NY 10469 (877) 607-3537) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER DRIVER'S OF HIS PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,640.