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: other or unspecified
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 20, 2020
CAR STARTED STRUGGLING WHEN GOING AT HIGHER SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH ESPECIFICALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL EVEN IF ITS A SMALL HILL ON THE FREEWAY ALSO WHEN GOING DOWN HILL SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS ALSO WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND MAKES WEIRD SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE THE BRAKES DONT WANT TO STOP THE CAR TOOK TO A MECHANIC BUT NO WARNINGS COME UP AND SEEMS TO BE TRANSMISSION WHICH I DID GET A NOTICE THROUGH MAIL THAT THEIR COULD BE POSSIBLE RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENS BUT AS SOON AS I TURN IT ON IT STARTS MAKING A WEIRD SOUNDS THAT IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2020
MY AIR BAGS ARE ON
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2019
THE CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. I FEEL UNSAFE AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ON THE ROADS AND MERGING INTO THE HIGHWAYS BUT THAT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AT THE MOMENT TO GET TO WORK, TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND RUN ERRANDS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 29, 2019
CAR NOT EVEN 24 HOURS OLD, THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITH PUSHING THE STARTER BUTTON, THE RMP WOULD BE AT 3 AT IDLEING. MARCH 2019, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WENT TO THE DEALER. SENSOR IN FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, FEW WEEKS POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS. IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 45 IN GREYS LAKE, IL. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND ALMOST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMAL FOR AWHILE, THEN THE SHIFTING GEARS AND BOGGING WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN. A WEEK LATTER THE ENGINE IS MAKING A WHINNING NOISE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 23, 2019
CAR STALLED TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY ONRAMP. CAR STARTS BUT DOES NOT GET INTO GEAR AND DIES. MAY BE SIMILAR TO NISSAN SENTRA 2016 ISSUE WITH ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. BUT MY CAR A NISSAN SENTRA S 2016 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL
Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2018
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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2018
LOUD WIND SOUND WHEN DRIVING PASSES 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MAKES LOUD HOWLING SOUND AS THE WIND HITS AND CROSSES THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF MY VEHICLE. THE WIND HOWLING SOUND IS REALLY LOUD WHEN MY CAR IS DRIVING AGAINST THE WIND ON THE FREEWAY, I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THE RUBBER LINING ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND RESEALED CORRECTLY PROFESSIONALLY
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2018
ONGOING AND SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS; MOST NOTABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO 40-45 MPH. THE RPMS WILL REV BETWEEN 5-6 (BUT STILL STRUGGLE). ONCE THE CAR HITS AROUND 40MPH THERE ARE LESS PROBLEMS. OCCASIONALLY FEEL THAT THE CAR IS STALLING OUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (IE ON HIGHWAY). PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT, MOST NOTABLE WHEN CAR IS COLD. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, BROUGHT IN FOR CHECK. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY RELATED 'COMPUTER CODES' - FEEL I AM BEING IGNORED DESPITE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2018
WIND NOISE FROM A-PILLAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH HEAVY HEAD WIND OR CROSS WIND THAT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IS HOWLING OR HONKING ABOVE 55 MPH
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 27, 2018
AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 47,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY GOING 35 MPH, STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE STARTED TO HARDEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK UP. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED APPEARING ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I JUST MISSED A CAR NEXT TO ME TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I PULLED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY, THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE, ACCELERATOR, EVERYTHING STOPPED RESPONDING. I ASSUMED IT MAY BE A BAD BATTERY, SO I GOT A JUMP, BUT AFTER 20 MINUTES, THE CAR REFUSED TO TURNOVER. THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED, THERE WASN'T ANY DIMMING. THE MECHANIC SPENT MOST OF THE FOLLOWING DAY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. I'VE SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM NOTED FOR NISSAN SENTRA AND OTHER MODELS, IT'S A SCARY THING FOR A VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP ON A ROAD OR HIGHWAY, IF THE PARKING LOT WASN'T NEARBY, MY FAMILY AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING DUCKS TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR STRAINED ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS BY THE MOST CARELESS VEHICLE ISSUE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I'M CONCERNED THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED OR RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2018
WHEN I COME OUT MY HOUSE IN THE MORNING, I HAVE FOUND MY TRUNK OPEN SO FAR MORE THAN 5 TIMES AND AT TIMES WHEN I COME OUT OF A STORE THE TRUNK IS OPEN. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I FEEL LIKE ONE DAY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND SOMEONE GO IN MY TRUNK AND CAR AND TAKE WHATEVER THEY WANT. THE DOORS OR THE ALARM NEVER OPEN OR GOES OFF ON IT OWN BUT THE TRUNK DOES. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE KEY FOB OR WHAT.
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2017
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR MAKES WIND NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR
Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2017
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.