Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated the indicator on the instrument panel was moving independently. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer or independent mechanic. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 50 MPH uphill, the vehicle jerked and failed to properly accelerate. After several attempts, the vehicle moved slowly and was able to drive up the hill. …
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal made an abnormal vibrating grinding sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Ray Automotive, where an air flow sensor was replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an air flow sensor was replaced under warranty; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving. The vehicle was taken to Ray Automotive, where the transmission fluid was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic determined that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was then taken to Richard Automotive, where it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while accelerating on a busy street, the vehicle stalled in front of an approaching tractor-trailer. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued to drive. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was hard to shift into gear. There was an abnormal winding sound was detected. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the transmission. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the local dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle erratically jerked and the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed an abnormal whining sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that days later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into reverse and the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
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....
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning lights illuminated and the vehicle then lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted but failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer informed her that she no longer qualified for the warranty extension for the transmission after 100,000 miles and that the repair would be out of pocket. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The driver depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the vehicle failed to move. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The driver depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle paused and lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the vehicle failed to move. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled off the highway and attempted to shift the vehicle into park(P) however, the vehicle started moving backwards. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The driver depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle paused and lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart. However, the vehicle failed to move. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Transmission complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 127 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Nissan Sentra, 47% of the model year's 270 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Nissan Sentra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Nissan Sentra, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Sentra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.