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2016 Nissan Sentra recalls & problems

The 2016 Nissan Sentra has 6 safety recalls and 270 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (127 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints270filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 2reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2016 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 3, 2021

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 21V135000807,376 vehicles

Problem
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.
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. 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.
Air bagsApr 13, 2017

Air bags

Recall 17V25300030,038 vehicles

Problem
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.
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. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Electrical systemJun 29, 2016

Wiring

Recall 16V4850001,522 vehicles

Problem
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).
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. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air bagsJun 15, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V4360004,355 vehicles

Problem
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.
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. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Electrical system › Wiring

Air bagsApr 26, 2016

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 16V242000645,898 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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. 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.
Air bagsApr 26, 2016

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 16V2440003,296,947 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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. 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. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk11.8%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sentra FE

33mpg combined
City / highway30 / 38 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Sentra

32mpg combined
City / highway29 / 37 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Sentra

30mpg combined
City / highway27 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Internal › Cvt12761187,000 mi
Engine4812054,500 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer; Horn4501047,000 mi
Unknown or other4310047,500 mi
Vehicle speed control2710046,750 mi
Air bags24100826,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1810050,000 mi
Service brakes1830348,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door1020256,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)1000011,501 mi
Exterior lighting800069,473 mi
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Adaptive cruise control5100—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.