2016 Nissan Sentra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Nissan Sentra has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with 6 recalls covering airbags, electrical wiring, and brake lights.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Sentra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 270
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 18
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 29 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2016 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain127 (47%)
- Engine68 (25%)
- Electrical System53 (20%)
- Other43 (16%)
- Brakes30 (11%)
- Airbags24 (9%)
- Fuel System19 (7%)
- Structure & Body12 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (2%)
- Steering5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, in some cases causing the car to roll backward into obstacles.
- Excessive vibration and shuddering felt at 40-60 mph, sometimes linked to transmission replacement that did not fix the issue.
- Front airbags failed to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, leaving occupants to hit the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Brake pedal reportedly sank to the floor without stopping the car, contributing to a rear-end collision.
- Steering seized during a turn at around 45 mph, resulting in a head-on crash.
- A battery fire occurred after the push-to-start system suddenly shut off while driving.
2016 Nissan Sentra recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V135000Mar 3, 2021Electrical System807,376 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V253000Apr 13, 2017Airbags30,038 vehicles
Air bags
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.
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.
- NHTSA 16V485000Jun 29, 2016Electrical System1,522 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
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.
2016 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 29 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 70.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues lead, making up 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 87,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Sentra, covering airbags, wiring harness connections, seat belt brackets, and a brake light switch.
- How does the 2016 Sentra compare to other Sentra years?
- It is safer than the worst years like 2013 (complaint index 100) and 2015 (95), but riskier than years like 2023 and 2024, which rank Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
- EPA rates it at 32 mpg combined (29 city/37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.