About average for the Sentra
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sentra year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 87,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sentra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Sentra. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (127, 47% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 4th of 13 Sentra years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Nissan Sentra before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
127 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 87,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
On Friday, July 3, 2026, at approximately 9:30 PM, while driving on the parkway at an approximate speed of 65 miles per hour and preparing to merge onto the highway, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled completely. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. After a few minutes, once the immediate traffic situation…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The CVT transmission, which Nissan has had many issues with per the large number of class action lawsuits, failed while I was driving the vehicle on a main street in San Diego. The vehicle showed no indication (warning light) that there was any engine failure or issue. The CVT transmission just died unexpectedly while the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
48 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
When driving on interstate or any road of 45 mph or more the transmission? Engine? Goes up in speed on cruise and tachometer goes up and down and it sounds weirdOwner complaint, filed 2024
It's been 6 months the car started to skeet transmission gear. When driving in highway at 65 to 70 mph the clock of idle start going from 1 up to 4 up and down. I took it to a auto repair and the mechanic stated is the transmission. I've done a research and other people have the same issue. I want to prevent a crash if the transmission…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Electrical system
45 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 complaint, filed 2026, at 149,244 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 119,200 miles
Brakes and stability control
30 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Brake Light Switch How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Per multiple reports this could cause the car not to start or to indicate to cars that the vehicle is slowing down and preparing to stop Has the vehicle or…Owner complaint, filed 2024
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.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
27 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
At least 7 times I have come across the same Safety issue, where I had to accelerate on to the highway and as I placed my foot o foot pedal. My vehicle wouldn't accelerate as if the engine and transmission were not communicating together. I had several vehicles follow very close to me from behind. I placed my hazard lights on. I even…Owner complaint, filed 2022
When trying to accelerate the rpms will go up but the speed will not increase. It will take off fine as long as you don't sit still for a long time. But the rpms will rev up and it will not speed upOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 105,735 miles
Air bags
24 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2016 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, making a turn she crashed into a unknown vehicle head on. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact was unconscious however sustained injuries to the head and medical attention was provided. There was no reported fire. The…Owner complaint, filed 2020
The contact owned a 2016 nissan sentra. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, it was struck (t-boned) on the front driver's side door by another vehicle. The driver's side air bag exploded in the contact's face and metal fragments exited from the air bag amidst a cloud of thick, black smoke. A police report was filed as well as…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 6,000 miles
Fuel system
19 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
2016 NISSAN SENTRA. When accelerating from red light on major multi lane highway, vehicle lost ability to accelerate and stalled in the middle of the road, brake pedal was difficult to press to stop vehicle rolling, and all vehicle dash lights illuminated. The vehicle was put into neutral and pushed across multiple lanes to the side of…Owner complaint, filed 2023
When trying to accelerate, the car begin shudders and then couldn't jerks. The RPM fluctuates and jumps spastically and today, I couldn't accelerate at all and lost power completely after trying to accelerate at a green light. Car also slowed itself down on the interstate while traveling at 70 mph for a month straight and then would…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
12 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone and DTC: C1116 “Stop Lamp Switch" was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 142,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
10 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (9).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Both the driver and passenger door, door handles are coming apart at the same time. Unable to use the passenger side door handle, must open it from the inside of the car. Divers side door handle is breaking into two (2) pieces.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 67,000 miles
Steering
5 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2016 nissan sentra. While driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to turn, the steering ability seized and the vehicle crashed head on into a tree. Police report number: [VIN] was filed. The contact sustained abdominal injuries due to the seat belt and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The air bags…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles
The contact rented a 2016 Nissan Sentra with Turo. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, she heard an abnormal noise before the steering wheel and brakes seized. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated before. The contact stated the vehicle steered independently out of control and drove through…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Driver assist systems
5 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The emergency braking system malfunction message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 60,510 miles
I read all of the 214 complaints by consumers who have had the same scary incident occur to them. I have completed all of my recalls and for the life of the vehicle I have had the maintenance plan. The car has been well taken car of. After reading the complaints, I also have had an incident where the vehicles RPM's increased for no…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
5 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt warning light was displayed on the instrument panel while the seat was vacant. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 73,000 miles
Transmission was failing without any check engine light on-> right passenger side tire would skid before transmission was replaced -> new transmission replaced still has issues shifting at times. Inspection was done by Nissan 104th in Northglenn.( sends out a threat to public by transmission not shifting gears properly to move or get out…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 nissan sentra. While driving 60 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from outside the vehicle, and the vehicle pulled to the right. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact thought the issue was due to…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 9,000 miles
There is a clicking noise when stopping and accelaratiing, this clicking sound comes from the front tire area, it started about 8 mos ago and now it is getting worse, I bought the car new. It also has like a whistling noise when driving 65-70 and over. Two issues the clicking noise coming from the front tire area and the whistling noise…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2016 nissan sentra is been unsafe to drive, I was taking my daughter to school when I was trying to hit the gas it jumped up almost hit the front car we were behind. Car doesn't go faster then 10mph. I can't believe being a new car I must pay a lot money to fix transmission. I'm a single mother and need this problem fixed please.I…Owner complaint, filed 2019
There is a clicking noise when stopping and accelaratiing, this clicking sound comes from the front tire area, it started about 8 mos ago and now it is getting worse, I bought the car new. It also has like a whistling noise when driving 65-70 and over. Two issues the clicking noise coming from the front tire area and the whistling noise…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Nissan Sentra complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | About average | 6 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | About average | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 6 |
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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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 system 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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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 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.
Full recall 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.
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.
Full recall 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.
2016 Nissan Sentra questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Nissan Sentra are the transmission and drivetrain (127 complaints), the engine and cooling (48 complaints) and the electrical system (45 complaints).
Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra a good year to buy?
About average for the Sentra. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sentra year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 87,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sentra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Nissan Sentra. The most recent, from Mar 2021, covers the switch. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 87,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 54,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Nissan Sentra years should I avoid?
The Sentra years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Nissan Sentra?
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