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
270 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Power train, Mar 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started slowing down and the RPM indicator was circling around. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart three times and then drove to the dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Power train, Mar 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the RPM's were rising however, the vehicle was decelerating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The contact stated he had taken the vehicle to the local dealer on four occasions. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated the vehicle overheated and stalled. The oil, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,321. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Feb 22, 2022
CVT transmission. We bought the car February 2021 at approximately 95,000 miles I have 106,000 miles & the CVT transmission needs replaced. I saw there were class action lawsuits against them I California but I'm the Texas. I called Nissan headquarters & was told there was nothing they could do to help me. I stalled in traffic, it jerked & rattled & I thought the tires were going to fall off. I was then scared to drive. I took it to a transmission shop in my town & they said it was the CVT transmission. Nissan told us to take it to a Nissan dealer. They said it was the CVT transmission. Over $4,500.00 to replace it. Please help me.
Service brakes, Feb 22, 2022
wE HAVE ALREADY PAID MONEY TO HAVE THE RECALL ISSUE FIXED WITH A DEALER. I AM NOT SURE IF IT WILL BE THE SAME FIX BUT WE WOULD REQUEST TO BE REFUNDED FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR WE HAD DONE ON THE CAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 18, 2022
Dealership will only repair stop light, but there are other problems such as no start,mil illumination. Dealer want me to pay for a dia. test in order to fix the issues.
Engine, Feb 7, 2022
Vehicle Stalls randomly. Numerous times on numerous dates.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2022
The transmission has failed and I am unable to drive forward. This is the second transmission to fail in two years.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Power train, Jan 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 20 MPH within a few seconds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing transmission replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 11, 2022
Unknown transmission issues cvt
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.
Power train, Nov 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who informed her of a class-action lawsuit that had been filed against Nissan's CVT transmissions. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that she no longer qualified for the warranty extension for the transmission. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Service brakes, Nov 12, 2021, crash
The contact's son owned a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to operate causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact mentioned that her son sustained bruised chest and the driver from the other vehicle sustained rib inquiries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The contact contacted an independent mechanic and informed them that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 21v135000 ( exterior lights). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a reference number. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2021
In the event of an accident this vehicle doors will not open until the key is in the off position and removed from the ignition. You cannot exit the vehicle doors at any time when the motor is running or the key is still in the ignition. Death trap !
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 26, 2021
The car would not start.Yes it was inspected at the car repair shop.I have had to jump start the car many times
Air bags, Oct 26, 2021
The Red Airbag light is always on upon starting car
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2021
As my vehicle was exiting a major highway, the vehicle began to shake and putter. I was able to put my vehicle in park within 1 minute of this puttering. Once in park, the vehicle began to shake more rapidly and louder. I assumed something terrible was going to happen and shut the car off. After an hour and a half, I started the vehicle back up and not to my surprise experienced the puttering and shaking once again. I put the vehicle in drive and began to slowly step on the gas while turning into the road and the car shut completely off and slid back toward the curb with the engine light on and battery. I had to call AAA to have me towed home and on their arrival, they were able to back the vehicle up and forward as long as he pushed down full throttle. The AAA representative suggested through his knowledge of mechanics that it seems there is an issue with either the spark plugs or the fuel pump/filter combo. After changing the spark plugs and still having this issue tonight....we are leaning towards the pump as the issue. There were no lights or warnings prior to the shaking that began as stated in this entry.
Structure, Sep 27, 2021
I have replaced bumper clips twice. They continue to break off. Please advise whey these plastic clips break off. I'm afraid bumper can break off in highway and cause an accident.
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2021
I took my vehicle for the recall and it has not been fixed and it has been a long time. I was told that it has not yet been shipped yet but order placed.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 5, 2021
My car is having transmission issues I’ll be driving and it will lose power or the speed limit will decrease makes it very unsafe to drive it will do this out of no where will be on the freeway and it will go from 60 to 15
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2021
my fuel pump went out
Power train, Jul 1, 2021
The vehicle loses power and sometimes shakes when trying to accelerate