2016 Nissan Sentra · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

48owner reports
74,000median miles
$3,000median quote
1involved a crash

Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

186 of the 269 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 48 of those describe stalling. Only transmission shudder is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 48 reports

it stalled while driving

it stalled at idle or a stop

warning lights came on

it restarted right away

the fuel pump was blamed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

16V-485Jun 29, 2016

Electrical System:Wiring

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 and remedy

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.
Remedy: 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.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Sentra

DP84-020opened Aug 8, 1984

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1982 to 1983

Stalling problems. Closed apr 11, 1985.

NHTSA summary

STALLING PROBLEMS

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 48 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,400 to $4,000.

$1,400$3,000$4,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 96,000 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.

317

618

819

520

321

822

523

925

126

What owners wrote

“I was driving the car and leaving a red light. The car lost power, abs light came on and the traction light came on. I was unable to turn and move out of traffic. It finally jerked and released so i could drive. I was in a cross section and thank God we did not get hurt. It did this to me twice on my way to work.”
Filed Nov 14, 2023

“I have a sentra 2016 that has been from day 1 and brand new has had a shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration or stop and go stop and go with being jolted forward, usually on the highway. I am always terrified to drive it anywhere. I can't believe there is no recall on this. They need to offer a new transmission for the owners.”
Filed Aug 4, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 48 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.