2016 Nissan Sentra Safety Report
2016 Nissan Sentra Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Nissan Sentra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (263) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 20 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Nissan Sentra with 121 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Nissan Sentra before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Sentra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Sentra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Nissan Sentra | 223 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Sentra | 342 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Sentra | 181 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Sentra | 213 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Sentra | 193 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Sentra | 121 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Nissan Sentra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Nissan Sentra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
82 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyEngine
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyPower Train,Engine
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
Reliability Score
The 2016 Nissan Sentra receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Sentra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Inflator Module Recall for faulty inflator modules in certain 2016 LEAF and Sentra vehicles, posing a risk of injury. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Wiring Recall for wiring issues in 2016 Sentra vehicles, potentially leading to electrical system failures. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Recall for brake light switch issues, potentially leading to brake light malfunctions. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Cvt Transmission Multiple recalls for CVT transmission failures, causing erratic driving and potential loss of power. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Nissan Sentra:
Recalled due to potential injury from faulty inflator modules.
Recalled due to potential electrical system failures.
Recalled due to brake light switch issues.
Recalled due to multiple transmission failures.
Recall Details for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Nissan Sentra by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
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).
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence: If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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 incorrec...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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. Inter...
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.
Consequence: 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.
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. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Nissan Sentra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes.
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 or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
The CVT transmission went out when I was driving on an interstate. I was driving 65 mph and within seconds my speed dropped with a tractor trailer behind me. I thankfully was able to pull off to the side of the road, but almost crashed in the process. The check engine light also did not come on until 17 minutes after the transmission failed. An independent service center confirmed the problem and ...
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 odometer be updated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer. ...
Ive took my car to alhambra dealer for a recall and before I did i scared my car with the obd2 to make sure everything was okay witch it scanned no check engine and all green check lights IM REDINESS.. AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT FOR A WHOLE DAY. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR STARTS THROWING CODES AND NOW MY CAR WONT PASS SMOG BECAUSE THEE DEALER RUINNED MY CAR...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle erratically jerked and the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed an abnormal whining sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The ...
I purchased this vehicle from Capital Auto Auction, and it was listed as having only a “minor engine stutter” and that it “runs and drives.” However, within 5 minutes of driving away from the auction, the vehicle became unsafe and experienced multiple immediate safety failures. The vehicle developed a loud whining noise, lost acceleration, and would not move even with the accelerator pressed. The ...
CVT code P17F4 Judder i have not drove 356 miles in the last 2 days.
Transmission failed after used car purchase. Called regarding fluid on driveway and was told normal after oil change. Continued fluid leak past 30 day warranty. Tried to get Nissan dealer to look at it but was told must go back to used dealer (same company) next door as they sold it. Dozens of calls later, no return calls, wrong transfers, etc. then cancelled appts, got to shop and was told b...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle briefly jolted and shook abnormally before losing motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the t...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while accelerating on a busy street, the vehicle stalled in front of an approaching tractor-trailer. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued to drive. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was hard to shift into gear. There was an abnormal winding sou...
CVT Transmission -available upon request to inspect. Safety was at risk as I was in flow of traffic and suddenly lost power to the transmission slowing suddenly, Cars behind me had to swerve to keep from hitting my car. Car has not been inspected at this time, there were no warnings or symptoms prior to the failure. During normal operation at interstate speed Speed over 60 mph. The cvt transm...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed CVT transmission kit. The contact was informed that the CVT transmission kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unk...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact stated that the failure recurred after a Volkswagen dealer had completed the vehicle inspection. The dealer shifted to neutral(N) and pushed the vehicle into the garage. The dealer diagnosed that the brake light switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the part...
My 2016 Nissan Sentra SV has had two complete CVT transmission failures. I purchased the vehicle used with somewhere between 30,000 - 40,000 miles. The transmission failed shortly after, and was replaced under warranty. Now, at 139,447 miles, the replacement transmission has also failed less than 70,000 miles later. The car lost acceleration and came to a complete halt while driving, stopping on t...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal made an abnormal vibrating grinding sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Ray Automotive, where an air flow sensor was replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an air flow sensor was...
There is a transmission issue with my vehicle. It has been present since I first obtained the vehicle. Generally, the gears tend to “slip” or stutter, creating a stalling motion upon accelerating. It has stayed the same relatively up until recently when it would not stay in gear or switch gears and I could not accelerate at all. This is very scary because it could lead to an accident, a crash, o...
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 else’s… this car is a death trap… Nissan needs to be held responsible for these death trap cars Cvt transmission is its major problem… this season of ...
Transmission failed/malfunctioned. While driving the car it started to slow down and I couldn't accelerate any longer causing the car to come to a complete stop in the middle of the road. I had my two young children with me. If a car would have been too close behind me they could have rear ended me and caused harm to myself or my children. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealership since it is...
I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra SV with 103k miles on it. I was driving the car, and noticed at stop sign and red lights the car would strain and hesitate when the accelerator was pressed. It would jerk hard then drive normally. The car would also loose power while driving. It would drop from 65 mph to 20 mph. It has done this numerous of times, and I have to try and maneuver off to the side of the hi...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle started to lose traction control. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to shift gear, the vehicle started making a grinding sound, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure...
Showing 20 of 263 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Sentra
Has the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA have?
The 2016 NISSAN SENTRA has 263 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 18 involved crashes. 13 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2016 NISSAN SENTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA involve power train (82 complaints), unknown or other (20 complaints), air bags (16 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, engine, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 18 crash reports associated with the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA out of 263 total complaints (6.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA out of 263 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
13 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 263 complaints, 6 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (82 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (20 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (16 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12 complaints), 5. ENGINE (10 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 82 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
Be cautious of airbag and electrical system issues, as well as CVT transmission failures. Check for recalls and ensure the vehicle has been serviced. The 2016 NISSAN SENTRA has 263 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2016 NISSAN SENTRA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 263 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 20 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Inflator Module and Electrical System Wiring.
What are the known issues with the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA?
Known issues with the 2016 NISSAN SENTRA include: Airbag Inflator Module, Electrical System Wiring, Service Brakes, CVT Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 263 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
Yes, there are recalls for airbag inflator modules, electrical system wiring, service brakes, and CVT transmission issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
The most common issues are airbag and electrical system problems, as well as CVT transmission failures and service brake malfunctions.
Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra prone to odometer fraud?
Yes, there have been reports of odometer fraud, where the actual mileage is higher than what is shown.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of airbag and electrical system issues, as well as CVT transmission failures. Check for recalls and ensure the vehicle has been serviced.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Nissan Sentra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Nissan Sentra. The data includes 263 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 18 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 13 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Nissan Sentra an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16