MYRModel Year Report

2016 Nissan Sentra

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Nissan Sentra
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
269
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

47% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 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: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 351 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2016 269 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2019: 222 complaints 2020: 206 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 30 complaints 2026: 16 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1991 1992: 64 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2003 2004: 197 complaints 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2009 2010: 144 complaints 2011: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 351 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2016 269 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2019: 222 complaints 2020: 206 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 30 complaints 2026: 16 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1992 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 197 complaints 2004 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2008 2009: 55 complaints 2010: 144 complaints 2010 2011: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2014 2015: 351 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2016 269 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2018 2019: 222 complaints 2020: 206 complaints 2020 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 30 complaints 2026: 16 complaints 2026

2016: 269 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19831
19843
19856
19866
198738
198838
198942
199039
199164
199264
199358
1994103
1995118
1996141
1997108
199858
199959
2000171
2001236
2002318
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011142
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015351
2016269
2017231
2018184
2019222
2020206
2021132
202281
202320
202441
202530
202616

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

47% · 127 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and cvt.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2025-04-03

Also filed under Air bags

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, 2024-06-23

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, 2017-02-14

Also filed under Engine

Engine

18% · 48 reports
CRASHFIRE
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, 2018-01-27

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

17% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and starter assembly.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

10% · 27 reports
CRASH

Air bags

9% · 24 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2017-11-28

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 269 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-06-10Air bags16V244000 Nissan North America, Inc.

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

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-06-13Air bags16V242000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-08-09Air bags, electrical system16V436000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-08-15Electrical system16V485000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-06-07Air bags17V253000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2022-07-01Exterior lighting21V135000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 127 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 45 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V244000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V242000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V436000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 16V485000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 17V253000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V135000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.