Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I filed a complaint a couple months ago, about my car driving erratic and slipping of gears , jolting, cutting off in traffic etc; Now this complaint is about an accident caused by the jolting of the car which crashed my car into the back of someone else's... this car is a death trap... Nissan needs to be held responsible for these death trap cars Cvt transmission is its major problem... this season of car was recalled but my car was not.... It was a major recall on these cars I need my transmission repaired by Nissan.... My first complaint was of driving disasters jerking of transmission slipping cutting off in traffic my life's been in danger since I bought this car now I damaged my car and someone else car do to Nissan's negligence....Not holding up to repairing their malfunctioning cars....
Airbag did Not deploy when in a multi vehicle accident. Total loss, seat broke during impact, frame bent . Front end and rear end damage. Total hazard. I had maintenance done June 5 at Nissan dealer and was never notified of any open recalls.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Nissan Sentra. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, it was struck (t-boned) on the front driver's side door by another vehicle. The driver's side air bag exploded in the contact's face and metal fragments exited from the air bag amidst a cloud of thick, black smoke. A police report was filed as well as traffic collision information. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact sustained injuries to the rib cage and medical attention was required. In addition, the contact was provided insurance claim number: [redacted] regarding the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle in front abruptly stopped causing the contact to rear end the vehicle. The front driver side air bag failed to deploy. In addition, the front passenger seat was occupied but the air bag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
I got into an accident going 55+ MPH on the freeway and got hit by a big rig and none of the airbags deployed. Prior to this I had taken the vehicle for an oil change when I was told the airbags were recalled so they fixed them. I was hit by a big rig which wrecked my whole car making it not driveable the windows were all shattered and none of the airbags went off. Updated 10/17/18
Was in a car accident the airbags never deployed the seat belt didn't support the upper part of my body chest hit the steering wheel and seat belts never locked in place and now seatbelt light on dash
Letter received from Nissan regarding possible front air bag passenger sensor malfunction. Our sensor malfunctions inconsistently with the same individual sitting in the seat (weighing 110-115 lbs) while vehicle is in motion; system works properly at times indicating passenger air bag will deploy in an accident, and then at other times notes airbag will not deploy. We're now encountering difficulties with Nissan correcting/fixing the acknowledged (by Nissan) problem due to the inconsistent nature of the issue. Concerned the system won't work correctly upon potential collision and requesting the sensor that is malfunctioning be replaced.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, making a turn she crashed into a unknown vehicle head on. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact was unconscious however sustained injuries to the head and medical attention was provided. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was not available. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
On 12\07\2017 the car was hit so hard it total the car out. It was in the front an the air bags did not come out. Me and a friend was in the car we both hurt but do not have insurance. The car has not been owned over a year. The insurance company has not replied to if they are going to pay the 27,000. I am at a lost for words. No car for work have to turn the rental in on the 27 of this month. Thank you sad an confused. By the way the car was in drive but at a stand still.
There's a yellow dashboard light and a red airbag warning light that stays on constantly when operating the vehicle. The lights stay on when there's an adult in the seat, too. Nissan says it's a sign of a faulty ocs and sensors. I just found there was a recall for this and I'm not sure the 1st owners had it checked and fixed. I'm a 2nd owner. Either way, it's a safety issue and extremely important. Similar recall was April 26, 2016 | recall 16V244000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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).
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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…
Remedy: 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,…
Airbag complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Nissan Sentra, 9% of the model year's 270 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Nissan Sentra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-253 (air bags, Apr 13, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-436 (inflator module, Jun 15, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-242 (occupant classification, Apr 26, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Sentra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.