2016 Nissan Sentra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 30 city / 38 hwy
- Length
- 182.3 in
- Curb weight
- 2,879 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2016 midsize car (26.2 MPG).
Watch out for
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,879 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (30 city / 38 highway), 26% better than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Sentra — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Sentra →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 69.3 in | 59.1 in | 106.3 in | 60.2 / 60.2 in | 2,879 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra FE | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +26% | $2,050 | 268 |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +22% | $2,100 | 278 |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +15% | $2,250 | 298 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Nissan Sentra.
Similar 2016 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Sentra (this car) | 33 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 35 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (6)
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Mar 3, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V135000 · 807,376 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 Bags · Apr 13, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V253000 · 30,038 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 System › Wiring · Jun 29, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V485000 · 1,522 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 Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V436000 · 4,355 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V242000 · 645,898 vehicles
- 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 Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles
- 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.
Not every 2016 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Nissan Sentra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 122 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 48 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 40 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,510 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Sentra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sentra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2025 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 31 |
| 2024 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 41 |
| 2023 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2022 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 81 |
| 2021 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 132 |
| 2020 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 207 |
| 2019 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 223 |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 185 |
| 2017 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 231 |
| 2015 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 352 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →