Is the 2016 Nissan SENTRA reliable?

The 2016 Nissan SENTRA has 400 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan SENTRA?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (125 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (47 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (44 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Nissan SENTRA?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Nissan SENTRA?

The 2016 Nissan SENTRA gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Nissan SENTRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Nissan SENTRA is approximately $1,518/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Nissan SENTRA

Q: Is the 2016 Nissan SENTRA often stolen?

The Nissan SENTRA was the #21 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 4,800 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Nissan SENTRA has 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 285. The most common issue is transmission problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: 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. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. also, while attempting to use the . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 23 crash reports 12 injuries

400

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

125 complaints

31%

• 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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE
• PURCHASED MY CAR IN LATE NOVEMBER. BEFORE THE CAR HIT 1,000, I RETURNED IT TO NISSAN BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MECHANIC AT NISSAN RAN TEST AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW MY CAR IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND WHEN I'M CHANGING THE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER (TEDDY NISSAN, 3660 BOSTON RD, BRONX, NY 10469 (877) 607-3537) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 6 crashes

“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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Nissan SENTRA

Based on 216 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS13/04/2017

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.

Above-average theft risk

#21 most stolen in 2025

The Nissan SENTRA was the #21 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Common budget sedan

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Nissan SENTRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Nissan SENTRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,518

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$601

vs US avg

-9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1518

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan SENTRA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2016 SENTRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 400 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 90 MPH, A LOUD ROARING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER DRIVER'S OF HIS PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,640.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I PURCHASED MY NISSAN 12/27/2016 WITH 0 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS IN A RECALL STATUS SINCE 5/2016. IT IS NOW ONLY 1/18/2017 BUT THESE SAFETY CONCERNS WERE NEVER MENTIONED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AS OF YET I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM BUT I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR 3 WEEKS; BUT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)