KnownCarProblems2016 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Sentra, most often about the transmission (47% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2016 Nissan Sentra problems
Transmission
127 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. While driving various speeds, the transmission failed to shift as intended. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed at a dealer. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure…
I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra that has CVT transmission that is breaking down after the car is only 2 years old. Car is having trouble shifting, accelerating, and hesitate and loses power when driving on both a city street or highway. This has been a known problem by Nissan from previous models and that go from 2003 to…
Engine
48 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
On a recent trip I noticed a surge in RPM's on the car. On cruise at 70 MPH the RPM would be around 20,000. It surges to 35,000 or higher. It seems to be getting worse and at lower speeds now.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Another independent…
Electrical
45 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, horn, ignition, starter assembly.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
43 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles.
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…
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…
Speed control
27 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
On a recent trip I noticed a surge in RPM's on the car. On cruise at 70 MPH the RPM would be around 20,000. It surges to 35,000 or higher. It seems to be getting worse and at lower speeds now.
When driving on highways above 70 MPH, the car loses speed and tries to shift gears without accelerating causing my car to slow down and not pick up my speed again
Air bags
24 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
Car was traveling at freeway speeds when traffic was slowing down, car behind me was approaching very fast. Car hit me and then I hit car in front of me.
On 12\07\2017 the car was hit so hard it total the car out. It was in the front an the air bags did not come out. Me and a friend was in the car we both hurt but do not have insurance. The car has not been owned over a year. The insurance company has not replied to if they are going to pay the 27,000. I am at a lost…
Brakes
21 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages, foundation components.
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…
The drivers door handle comes off. The car bucks and loses power,the tachometer needle moves up and down. Rpm sensor?.the brakes (rear drums crunching). I have 3 different bills for the brakes. Im trying to get ahead of this situation with the bucking of my car. Read up on complaints due to trouble with Nissan…
Fuel system
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
On a recent trip I noticed a surge in RPM's on the car. On cruise at 70 MPH the RPM would be around 20,000. It surges to 35,000 or higher. It seems to be getting worse and at lower speeds now.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Nissan Sentra recalls
Lights: switch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: wiring
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.
Full defect summary
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).
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
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 ser
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (127 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); engine (48 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); electrical (45 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 3, 2021 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 5th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 270 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.