Recall 16V436 affects 4,355 2016 Nissan Leaf and Sentra vehicles for a passenger air bag wiring defect. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 4,355 2016 Leaf and Sentra vehicles because the wiring harness connector for the dual-stage passenger air bag can disconnect. If that happens, the passenger air bag can fail to deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk; Nissan dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger air bag in the 2016 Nissan Leaf and Sentra uses a wiring harness connector to carry the crash signal into the passenger air bag module. That module is dual-stage, which means it is designed to control more than one deployment level for the passenger side frontal air bag during a crash.
On affected vehicles, a supplier machining setup error left the connector cylinder out of specification. The connector was harder to seat than normal, and it can disconnect from the passenger air bag module. If the connection comes loose, the air bag module no longer receives the signal it needs for the deployment Nissan designed. A full disconnect can keep the passenger air bag from deploying in a crash where it should deploy; a partial disconnect can prevent the second stage from deploying as designed.
The warning sign depends on how far the connector has moved. If it fully disengages, an air bag warning lamp will illuminate. If it is only partially disengaged, the warning lamp does not always turn on.
Who's affected?
Both Leaf and Sentra appear with the same two component areas: front air bag and wiring.
| 2016 Nissan Leaf | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Leaf | wiring |
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | front air bag |
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | wiring |
| Units affected | 4,355 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A disconnected passenger air bag wiring harness can keep the passenger air bag from deploying in a crash, increasing injury risk. A warning lamp turns on when the connector is fully loose, but partial disconnection can leave no warning. Schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Nissan Leaf or Sentra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free inspection and wiring-harness repair that fixes the passenger air bag connector issue.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the wiring harness connector and replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness if needed.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V436 when you call.
- Call Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician inspects the wiring harness connector for proper engagement with the dual-stage passenger air bag. If the connector is not properly engaged, the technician replaces the passenger air bag module and the main body harness. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the subject vehicles are under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 13, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 15, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V436?
Recall 16V436 covers 4,355 2016 Nissan Leaf and Sentra vehicles with a wiring harness connector that can disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag. If that happens, the passenger air bag is at risk of not deploying during a crash, increasing injury risk. Nissan dealers inspect and repair the connector for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Nissan Leaf or Sentra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V436. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the passenger air bag wiring harness inspection. Reference recall number 16V436 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Nissan dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness if needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the passenger air bag is at risk of not deploying during a crash if the wiring harness connector separates. That increases injury risk for the front passenger. Confirm the VIN, then have a Nissan dealer complete the free inspection and repair.
What if I bought my Nissan Leaf or Sentra used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016 Nissan Leaf or Sentra is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall number 16V436.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V436000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V436 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V436000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →