CarModelProblems.com

2016 Nissan Sentra Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 5.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
266Complaints
6Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
13Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (45.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train complaints here are 5.4× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train121 · 45.5%not available
Engine47 · 17.7%not available
Electrical System39 · 14.7%RecalledRecall 16V485000
Vehicle Speed Control27 · 10.2%not available
Air Bags24 · 9%RecalledRecall 17V253000 · Recall 16V436000 · Recall 16V244000 · Recall 16V242000
Service Brakes18 · 6.8%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN121 · 45.5%
ENGINE47 · 17.7%
Unspecified / other42 · 15.8%
AIR BAGS24 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES18 · 6.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17 · 6.4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10 · 3.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY9 · 3.4%

Percentages are the share of the 266 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 17V253000 · 2017 · reported 04/13/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V436000 · 2016 · reported 06/15/2016

If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 16V485000 · 2016 · reported 06/29/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 2016 · reported 04/26/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

NHTSA campaign 16V242000 · 2016 · reported 04/26/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 21V135000 · 2021 · reported 03/03/2021

The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CAR CVT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SHUDDERING WHILE IN MOTION ALSO STAHLING WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY, CROSSING INTERSECTIONS, AND WHILE TURNING.”NHTSA complaint 11282488 — filed 11/26/2019 · POWER TRAIN
“CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND AT 64K MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ON ACCELERATION THEN IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN ON THE…”NHTSA complaint 11278459 — filed 11/06/2019 · POWER TRAIN
“CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS (CVTS) STARTS SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH ABNORMALLY BETWEEN GEARS. IT SHUDDERS, SHAKES, AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT…”NHTSA complaint 11267879 — filed 10/11/2019 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

5201624201771201861201952202038202147202222202330202444202562026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Sentra?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 121 of 266 NHTSA complaints (45.5%), followed by engine (47), unspecified/other issues (42), electrical system (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have?

266 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 17V253000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Nissan Sentra's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.