2016 Nissan Sentra · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

29owner reports
96,400median miles
$5,200median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

127 of the 269 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 29 of those describe transmission failure.

Tick what matches of 29 reports

lost drive or would not move

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (29 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

What owners paid

6 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,000 to $5,300.

$4,000$5,200$5,300

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 64,000 and 114,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

117

218

619

221

522

223

224

725

226

What owners wrote

“Replaced catylc converter. No the car is power surging and slipping, took vehicle to my regular auto shop. They reported car needs a new transmission, the CVT is out. Took car to transmission specialist for a second opinion said the same thing. Both shops reported this is common for this make and model. I'd thought I should report it.”
Filed Nov 22, 2023

“When driving on the interstate above 45 miles per hour, the car jerks and does not want to go. The car almost did not make it thru the intersection with another vehicle coming on more than one occasion. Car finally stopped and had to be towed. Informed that a new transmission was needed.”
Filed Dec 25, 2022

“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

“Had the Sentra in the dealership three different times for transmission slipping while under warranty. Each time they came back saying there was nothing wrong and couldnât duplicate any issues. Now out of warranty the transmission failed. Contacted Nissan corporate and their response was nothing we can do. Let them know that I had it in the dealership three times but it made no difference.”
Filed May 26, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 reports involved a crash. 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.