MYRModel Year Report

2016 Nissan Sentra

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Nissan Sentra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Sentra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 36 complaints 1988: 37 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 63 complaints 1992: 62 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 99 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 235 complaints 2002: 304 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 197 complaints 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2010: 144 complaints 2011: 141 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 347 complaints 2016: 266 complaints 2016 2017: 228 complaints 2018: 183 complaints 2018 2019: 219 complaints 2020: 203 complaints 2021: 127 complaints 2022: 80 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2016: 266 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19831
19843
19856
19866
198736
198837
198941
199039
199163
199262
199358
199499
1995117
1996141
1997108
199858
199959
2000171
2001235
2002304
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011141
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015347
2016266
2017228
2018183
2019219
2020203
2021127
202280
202318
202430
202525
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 45%

45% of complaints: power train — 121 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250403

My transmission has been acting up since 40k miles . I have took it to Nissan dealer update tcm same problems . I’ve also too it too ford apple dealership York pa and still have open ticket because they couldn’t figure it out .

NHTSA ODI report, 20240623

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170214

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE TRANMISSON NOT ENOUGH POWER AND SEEMS TO ME NOT GOOD GAS BECAUSE THE NOT CORRECTLY ON CITY AND HIGHWAY.. NEED IMPROVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180127

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170214

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 39 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250403

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171128

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 266
R 20160610 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.

Campaign 16V244000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160613 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V242000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160809 — air bags, electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 16V436000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160815 — electrical system

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2016, through April 26, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V485000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170607 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles.

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.

Campaign 17V253000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220701 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 21V135000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (121 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V244000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V242000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V436000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V485000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V253000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V135000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2014 ■ 2015

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Nissan Sentra is rated "worse than typical".

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

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.