SERVICE INFORMATION FOR FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE WITH DTCS STORED IN ECM SERVICE INFORMATION If a fuel level sensor has been diagnosed as sending an incorrect level signal, and one or more of the following DTCs are stored in the ECM, do not replace the entire âFuel Level Sensor Unit, Fuel Filter and Fuel Pump Assemblyâ (fuel pump assembly). The fuel level sensor can be replaced separately. ï· P0460 (FUEL LEV SEN SLOSH) ï· P0461 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR) ï· P0462 (FUEL LEVL SEN/CIRC) ï· P0463 (FUEL LEVL SEN/CIRC) NOTE: Warranty claims referring to fuel level issues that result in the replacement of the entire fuel pump assembly will be charged back.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Nissan Sentra engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Nissan Sentra have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Sentra | 16 |
| 2013 Sentra | 36 |
| 2014 Sentra | 25 |
| 2015 Sentra | 17 |
| 2016 Sentra (this page) | 11 |
| 2017 Sentra | 15 |
| 2018 Sentra | 9 |
| 2019 Sentra | 3 |
| 2020 Sentra | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2016 ALTIMA AND SENTRA; REAR OXYGEN SENSOR VOLTAGE INSPECTION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram and Oxygen Sensor Voltage Inspection Voluntary Emission Service Campaign Dealer Announcement: Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emission Service Campaign to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) and inspect the oxygen (O2) sensor voltage on certain MY2013-2016 Nissan Sentra SULEV vehicles identified in Service Comm. If the voltage is OK, no repair is necessary. If the voltage check results are âNo Goâ, dealers will diagnose and repair per the electronic service manual (ESM), and remedy any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that may have been masked by a failure to detect the short circuit to ground condition. The current level software installed on
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Sentras report two main engine-related problems: catastrophic transmission failure and unexplained engine stalling.
Transmission failures appear in the first few years of ownership. One owner bought the car new at 30 miles and faced a $3,000+ replacement at just over Nissan's warranty mileage cutoff. Another owner's transmission quit at 77,000 miles—car in gear but not moving. Nissan apparently had a known transmission defect and covered some repairs under warranty, but owners just over the mileage limit got no help.
Engine stalling strikes at highway speeds without warning—no dash lights beforehand, then suddenly the engine cuts out completely. One driver exiting the highway experienced shaking and puttering, then total shutdown at traffic speed; the tow driver suspected spark plugs or fuel pump. Another owner's car died while moving at highway speed, with hard steering when power cut out. Restart often works temporarily.
Transmission problems also show up as gear slipping and idle hunting—RPMs jumping erratically from 1,000 to 4,000 during highway cruise, with weird noises from the transmission. One owner reported a loud roaring noise from under the front end plus shuddering at 4,700 miles; the dealer couldn't diagnose it.
Same Nissan Sentra engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Failure
Complete transmission failure requiring full replacement. Owners report transmission went out or seized, forcing replacement costs around $3,000+. One owner purchased vehicle with low mileage and experienced early failure within ownership period; another states transmission failed at 77,000 miles with car unable to engage gears properly.
When: 30-40 miles (post-purchase new vehicle); 77,000 miles; within 6 months of ownership for some
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission unable to engage gears; Car will not move despite being in gear; Complete loss of drive capability
Repairs/costs cited: $3,000+ for full transmission replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan had a known transmission issue and covered some repairs under warranty up to a mileage cutoff; owners just outside the mileage limit were denied coverage
Engine Stalling Under Load
Engine shuts down completely while driving at highway speeds or during normal driving. Vehicle enters limp mode or shuts off entirely without warning lights appearing beforehand. Restart may restore function temporarily. Occurs at both low and high mileage vehicles.
When: No specific mileage noted; some incidents after 2+ years ownership; one at 4,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning while driving; Shaking and puttering before stall; Loss of power steering when engine dies; Check engine light and battery light illuminate after stall; Vehicle slides or loses control capability
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Battery warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement did not resolve issue; fuel pump suspected as possible cause but not confirmed in narratives
Transmission Gear Slipping with Idle Hunting
Transmission slips out of gear or fails to maintain steady engagement, accompanied by erratic idle behavior. RPM gauge fluctuates significantly while driving at highway speeds. Owners report transmission skipping gears and idle hunting between 1,000-4,000 RPM on cruise control.
When: 6 months into ownership; at 65-90 mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission skipping or slipping gears; RPM tachometer jumping between 1,000-4,000 RPM erratically; Weird noises from transmission; Issue occurring at highway speeds (45+ mph or 65-70 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic diagnosed as transmission issue; no repair costs cited
Loud Roaring Noise with Vehicle Shudder
Loud roaring noise emanating from under the front end accompanied by vehicle shuddering. Occurred at highway speeds. Dealer unable to diagnose or repair the issue.
When: 4,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud roaring noise from under front end; Vehicle shuddering/shaking
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to dealer; not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware but no follow-up indicated
Check Engine Light Illumination
Check engine warning light comes on. Owner did not pursue diagnosis or repair and did not contact dealer or manufacturer.
When: 113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair attempted
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Nissan Sentra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 63,940 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Sentra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.