2016 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 47%of 270 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Nissan Sentra, 47% of the 270 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission is making a whirring noise on acceleration from a green light and is jerking sometimes upon acceleration. Then getting on the interstate it hesitates before it hits 60 MPH I bought this car with 45,000 miles and payment. I made a mistake because form other complaints the CVT is has a ton of issues and needs to be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11174648, filed 2019-02, 45,600 miles“So yesterday in my apartment complex, I was driving up a hill to get to my apartment, when my car completely stalled on me & started to revert backwards, so as I'm trying to stop my car I get drug back down the hill with my car & as my car continued, it hit a tree & a shed which messed up my driver side & my back bumper & trunk. Also I have physical injuries as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11282005, filed 2019-11, 75,000 miles“When driving down the highway at around 80mph the car's RPM's will spike and the gas pedal will not work. The car just takes over driving itself. This occurs for a few seconds and then the car will drive normally again. I've taken it to the dealership and they say nothing is wrong. I took it to another mechanic and they say it's the CVT transmission slipping. But the transmission is not damaged and there's no diagnostic code so nothing can be done.”
NHTSA complaint #11321788, filed 2020-04, 55,000 miles“Continuously variable transmissions (cvts) starts shifting back and forth abnormally between gears. It shudders, shakes, and jerks when shifting gears. I have been told that I need to replace the transmission the vehicle has about 97 thousands miles. I was also told that Nissan Sentra are know for this problem. I called Nissan customer assistance and was told that my vehicle is not covered by the extended warranty for the CVT problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11267879, filed 2019-10, 96,400 miles“When driving down the road one minute my car is driving fine then when you come to a stop and press on the gas my car doesn't want to go anywhere. The RPM will accelerate but my speedometer will not go up. I have even pressed the gas all the way to the floor and it still won't get up in speed. My car will also act like it's trying to dye when sitting at at light or stop sign. It's also started making a rattling noise in the engine. The has happened in town, on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11300371, filed 2020-01, 58,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10227268Nov 23, 2022DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10218745May 17, 2022ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10199148Jun 9, 2021CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10190200Mar 1, 2021CVT OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS USING FLUORESCENT DYE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10176204May 11, 2020CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns…
- 10176203May 11, 2020CVT Repairs Repair Recommendation: Dealers are advised to use all diagnostic information available in the ESM, TSBs, and ASIST to determine the appropriate repair for a…
- 10176202May 11, 2020Dear Nissan Sentra Owner: Thank you for being a Nissan owner. We strive to provide you with an excellent ownership experience that includes confidence in your vehicleâs…
- 10173617Mar 5, 20202013-2017 SENTRA AND VERSA SEDAN, AND 2014-2017 VERSA NOTE; ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 21% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 6 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Sentra
48 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology