2016 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 267 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (42% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 267 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Niss. The contact stated that they discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale/dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 107,242. It was later discovered upon checking Carfax, that the mileage was 149,244.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2026
“The vehicle stopped accelerating while driving and after stopping, would not exceed 5-10 mph. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic who advised that the transmission had failed.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the sunroof exploded and shattered without impact. The contact exited the highway, pulled over to the side of the road, and took pictures of the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. The check engine light also did not come on until 17 minutes after the transmission failed. An independent service center confirmed the problem and stated that they've seen many other Sentra's with the same problem. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, etc. Very dangerous situation with no warning signs.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
“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. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR STARTS THROWING CODES AND NOW MY CAR WONT PASS SMOG BECAUSE THEE DEALER RUINNED MY CAR.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 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. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 93,000. It was later discovered that the title mileage was 119,200. The contact called the dealer and requested the odometer be updated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer called the contact to pick up the vehicle, that the vehicle would not be repaired, and that the vehicle had too many failures.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“While driving car shuts down in traffic!!! Cuts off at stop signs!!! Cuts off driving up steep roads!!! Jerks and jolts forward!!! Speeds up and down while gauges fluster!!!! The car slips in and out of gear!!! My life has been in danger since I bought this car... I need the situation taken care of this car is a dear trap and a severe safety hazard!!! This car in whole was recalled I don't know why Nissan missed my vin number....”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 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. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed CVT transmission kit. The contact was informed that the CVT transmission kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2025
“The vehicle just slows down and will not go while driving it. This could cause wrecks while driving and car just slows down and won't go. This has a cvt transmission that needs to be recalled. Nissan dealers and other automotive shops have said the cvt transmission in Nissans need to be recalled.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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).
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sentra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA has 267 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Nissan Sentra. The most complained-about area is power train (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Sentra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,500 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.