CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013-2017 Nissan Sentra has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data from the earlier model years in this same 7th generation Sentra.

In late 2019, the CVT defect was subject to a class action settlement. However the settlement only covers transmission repairs up to 7 years after purchase or 84,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Because many owners commonly drive 20,000 miles/year or more, Sentra owners experiencing CVT transmission problems may find they are not covered by this settlement due to the mileage limitation.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,734 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Nissan Sentra electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Nissan Sentra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Dec 232023

Sentra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while pressing the Push to Start button to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that a message indicating that the vehicle could not read the key fob was displayed; however, the key fob was in her pocket. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the battery and the key fob battery were in good condition. The dealer replaced an unknown fuse, and the vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred two weeks later. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown fuse was replaced; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #33

Jun 222022

Sentra

  • miles
My gear shift malfunctions. It is stuck in park and I have to use a screw driver to move the gear shift. Then the gear shift is loose this could cause an accident. I'm doing my best to keep it secure but need it replaced. Also think it has to do with a part u see the brake

- Valley View, TX, USA

problem #32

Dec 292022

Sentra

  • miles
This 2016 Nissan Sentra has parasitic battery draining. There is a great safety issue in not having a ready vehicle for emergency situations. I am also not confident the vehicle will start when away from home. The highest grade AGM battery was purchased to replaced the original battery to no avail. The vehicle requires continuous jump starts. Alternator appears to be functioning according to testing.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #31

Aug 172022

Sentra

  • 38,102 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected coming from the air vents while the air conditioner was activated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who inspected for a leak and added freon to the air conditioner system; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,102.

- Willoughby Hills, OH, USA

problem #30

Aug 272022

Sentra

  • miles
I was traveling down the road and the vehicle just quit in my travel lane.Check engine indicator traction indicator and triangular exclamation indicator came on at about 35 vehicle did not operate afterward.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #29

Dec 172021

Sentra

  • miles
My airbags have been turned off and I cannot push the button to reactivate them, also cruise control stopped working and seems to be electri all issue all related

- Santa Maria , CA, USA

problem #28

Jan 102022

Sentra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Unknown transmission issues cvt

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #27

Oct 282021

Sentra

  • miles
In the event of an accident this vehicle doors will not open until the key is in the off position and removed from the ignition. You cannot exit the vehicle doors at any time when the motor is running or the key is still in the ignition. Death trap !

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #26

Jun 082021

Sentra

  • miles
The car would not start.Yes it was inspected at the car repair shop.I have had to jump start the car many times

- Springfield , VA, USA

problem #25

Jul 052021

Sentra

  • miles
My car is having transmission issues I-??ll be driving and it will lose power or the speed limit will decrease makes it very unsafe to drive it will do this out of no where will be on the freeway and it will go from 60 to

- Phx , AZ, USA

problem #24

Jun 072016

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 10 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSAN OF WARNER ROBINS (839 WARREN DR, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088) WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN DEALER POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. Consumer stated the following needs to be replaced wiring harness, steering wheel, door handles which are coming off, rear wheel hun, cabin air filter, lube oil and filter service, ABS actuator, front tire wear, key error light, at times vehicle will not start, seat belt light stays on, door rattles on driver's side, transmission replacement, air flow sensor lost calibration, and paint is flaking on rear bumpers.

- Warner Robbins, GA, USA

problem #23

Jan 142021

Sentra

  • 108,000 miles
Vehicle started having issues with rpms going up, but losing power, jerking, and then on 01-14-21 it completely shut down in the middle of a street intersection and I almost got T-boned. I was told by Nissan to take to dealership for diagnostic testing and they would review the warranty issue if it was the transmission failure that they have been sued for. The mileage was 108,000 when it was towed to the dealer because I did not feel safe driving it. Dealership confirmed transmission needs replaced for just under $4000. Called Nissan Corp back who sent the info up for review. On 01-19-21 I received a call from colleen who stated she is the district manager and the vehicle is no longer covered under warranty and they 'have fulfilled their obligation'. each question was answered with the same verbatim response. I asked to have the case be escalated above colleen due to the fact the transmission went bad early due to their faulty cvt system they continue to sell and have not recalled. After being told she does not have a boss, colleen stated they will give me the same answer as she makes the decision and they have met their obligation. I asked she escalate it anyways. I have yet to hear from anyone else at the Nissan Corp.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #22

Jan 152021

Sentra

  • miles
The engine light popped on and then the car wouldn't accelerate the odometer didn't pass 0mph you have to repeatedly restart the car to even get the car to 20 mph. When going up a hill the car wouldn't go fast enough so I started to roll back. Got the car scanned and the things that popped up was P0744, P285A, P0715

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #21

Jan 152021

Sentra

  • 92,000 miles
My car has 92,000 miles. As of 3 days it's been acting up I went to a mechanic and they said I needed to replace my transmission. That it wasn't sending enough signal to the engine to have my car run. When I step on the gas it goes around 10mph but 2 days ago it completely stopped. And I got a letter on the mail a while back that it had a recall

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #20

Dec 202020

Sentra

  • 105,693 miles
While in motion the car jerks and slips gears while driving it has loss of power when accelerating I feel unsafe while driving my car.

- Haskell, OK, USA

problem #19

Dec 062020

Sentra

  • 60,000 miles
Engine refuses to start. Also engine stalls when driven. Car in motion.

- Pelham Manor, NY, USA

problem #18

Jul 272020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I had recently driving a 2016 Nissan Sentra I own. I was driving on an interstate in my area and all of a sudden the car significantly decelerated while stalling to about 30 mile per hour. I immediately pulled over from the right lane onto the shoulder. Thank goodness I was in the right lane and had the shoulder just to my right as traffic was relatively heavy. Candidly I thought I was going to crash the vehicle as I did swerve at about 45 miles per hour. Keep in mind I was traveling at 65 mile per hours. The car is now with woodfield Nissan in schaumburg, il since Thursday, July 30. The service department informed me I have to replace the electronic control unit (egi). I did not know what this was and that the cost would be almost $3,000. I asked about recalls and was told that there are recalls for this same model year car but my car did not meet Nissan"S requirement since the VIN #?S were already identified. I have done my research regarding this known defect with this vehicle. Nissan only agreed to voluntarily recall vehicles during a certain timeframe. I'm not clear why my vehicle VIN#[xxx] is not covered under the recall, I'm experiencing what the recall outlined. I have seen numerous cases reported online. I was able to locate campaign code PM6580. Nissan is not willing to cooperate and assit with the current production issue I?M experiencing. My 2016 Nissan has been at woodfiled Nissan since 7/30 with the harness on backorder. I'm not certain why VIN# was not part of the recall as I'm experiencing the defect in a production environment, while it"S a very dangerous production issue. I feel it's unfair and deceptive as a customer that is experiencing a production recall issue. Nissan case # [xxx]. sincerely, [xxx] car under [xxx] at dealer or [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bartlett, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 202020

Sentra

  • miles
Unable to start vehicle due to faulty break switch. I tried to push the break and start the car. It doesnt start.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #16

Dec 272019

Sentra

  • 11,501 miles
The push button start is very unreliable I have had to have aaa twice for starting problems and towed twice to the Nissan service garqage I thik this is a serious saftey issue I am not comfortable going anyplace and knowing that it may not start after parked it has this problem in parking lots and home garage I am 82 years old and all I wanted was a small dependable care this is not

- Lake St Louis, MO, USA

problem #15

Dec 032016

Sentra

  • miles
Car feels like the engine starts and stops continuously and very fast when on highway going 60-75 mph, and happens more often with cruise control on. The speedometer bounces around like crazy from zero to bouncing pass my speed I'm driving at. This has been going on since I bought the car to currently. I pull over and let it rest, I didn't see complaints in past about this from others until now, so I thought I now must report as well. I didn't know if it was engine, speedometer, fuel related, gas pedal or what, but now realizing it's engine issues due to a recall notice I got in the mail and a civil lawsuit action is currently in the process.

- Canton, OH, USA

Read the next 14 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?