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Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

2016 Nissan Sentra — Known Issues & Recalls

6 Recalls263 Owner Complaints11 Categories Affected
263
Total Complaints
6
Open Recalls
18
Crashes
2
Fires
13
Injuries

Complaints from Jan 2022 to Dec 2019

The most reported issue is power train problems (82 complaints). 18 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires.

Open Safety Recalls (6)

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 17V253000

Component: AIR BAGS

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 16V436000

Component: 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.

Risk: If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 16V485000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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).

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 16V244000

Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 16V242000

Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Mar 2021

NHTSA Campaign: 21V135000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Risk: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 263)

Power Train8 issues
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2026

The CVT transmission went out when I was driving on an interstate. I was driving 65 MPH and within seconds my speed dropped with a tractor trailer behind me. I thankfully was able to pull off to the side of the road, but almost crashed in the process.

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NHTSA #: 11722355
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2025

CVT Transmission -available upon request to inspect. Safety was at risk as I was in flow of traffic and suddenly lost power to the transmission slowing suddenly, Cars behind me had to swerve to keep from hitting my car. Car has not been inspected at this time, there were no warnings or symptoms prior to the failure.

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NHTSA #: 11671330
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle erratically jerked and the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed an abnormal whining sound.

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NHTSA #: 11703081
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle briefly jolted and shook abnormally before losing motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart.

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NHTSA #: 11678820
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2025

My 2016 Nissan Sentra SV has had two complete CVT transmission failures. I purchased the vehicle used with somewhere between 30,000 - 40,000 miles. The transmission failed shortly after, and was replaced under warranty.

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NHTSA #: 11660782
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2025

Transmission failed after used car purchase. Called regarding fluid on driveway and was told normal after oil change. Continued fluid leak past 30 day warranty.

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NHTSA #: 11683705
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. No warning lights were illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11668116
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal made an abnormal vibrating grinding sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11657432
Unknown Or Other2 issues
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2025

There is a transmission issue with my vehicle. It has been present since I first obtained the vehicle. Generally, the gears tend to “slip” or stutter, creating a stalling motion upon accelerating.

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NHTSA #: 11656618
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2025

Transmission failed/malfunctioned. While driving the car it started to slow down and I couldn't accelerate any longer causing the car to come to a complete stop in the middle of the road. I had my two young children with me.

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NHTSA #: 11650796
Power Train,engine2 issues
highPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while accelerating on a busy street, the vehicle stalled in front of an approaching tractor-trailer. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued to drive.

NHTSA #: 11674980
highPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle started to lose traction control. The check engine warning light illuminated.

NHTSA #: 11648138
Power Train,air Bags1 issue
criticalPOWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Apr 2025

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….

NHTSA #: 11652481
Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,engine1 issue
criticalPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra SV with 103k miles on it. I was driving the car, and noticed at stop sign and red lights the car would strain and hesitate when the accelerator was pressed. It would jerk hard then drive normally.

NHTSA #: 11648550
Visibility1 issue
highVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2026

Your sunroof suddenly shattered and exploded while you were driving at 60 mph, with no impact or accident involved. You safely pulled over and took photos of the damage. The sunroof will likely need to be completely replaced due to the structural failure.

NHTSA #: 11724103
Power Train,electrical System,engine1 issue
highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

I purchased this vehicle from Capital Auto Auction, and it was listed as having only a “minor engine stutter” and that it “runs and drives.” However, within 5 minutes of driving away from the auction, the vehicle became unsafe and experienced multiple immediate safety failures. The vehicle developed a loud whining noise, lost acceleration, and would not move even with the accelerator pressed.

NHTSA #: 11699932
Electrical System1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase.

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NHTSA #: 11714056
Electrical System,engine,fuel/propulsion System1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

Ive took my car to alhambra dealer for a recall and before I did I scared my car with the obd2 to make sure everything was okay witch it scanned no check engine and all green check lights im rediness.. After I picked up my car from the dealer I took the car home and parked it for a whole day.

NHTSA #: 11704495
Exterior Lighting,service Brakes1 issue
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact stated that the failure recurred after a Volkswagen dealer had completed the vehicle inspection.

NHTSA #: 11664606
Power Train,unknown Or Other,engine1 issue
lowPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

CVT code P17F4 Judder I have not drove 356 miles in the last 2 days.

NHTSA #: 11688336

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