Recall 16V485 affects 1,522 2016 Nissan Sentra vehicles for an engine-room-harness terminal-pin defect. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 1,522 2016 Sentra sedans because an engine room harness terminal pin is too large to keep a steady connection with the Engine Control Unit. If that connection is lost, the car can fail to start or the engine can stall, increasing crash risk; Nissan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine room harness in the 2016 Nissan Sentra is a bundle of wires and terminals that carries electrical signals between under-hood components and the Engine Control Unit, or ECU. The ECU is the engine's computer. It uses those signals to control starting, fuel delivery, and engine operation.
On affected Sentras, a supplier inspection tool was oversized and permanently changed the shape of a terminal pin in the harness. That pin no longer fits the ECU connection securely. The result is poor electrical continuity, which means the ECU does not receive a steady connection from the harness. Nissan found this after a vehicle would not start, and later determined the same connection problem can stop the engine while the vehicle is moving.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be a no-start condition or an engine that stops running.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | wiring |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,522 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Nissan Sentra is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose engine room harness connection to the ECU can keep the Sentra from starting or cause the engine to stall while driving, which increases crash risk. If the engine stalls, move out of traffic when safe, stop, and contact a Nissan dealer for repair. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Nissan Sentra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free engine-room-harness terminal-pin replacement that restores the ECU connection.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If you do not have it, reference recall number 16V485 when you call.
- Avoid driving the Sentra if it has starting trouble or stalls before the repair.
- Ask the dealer about towing if the engine stalls or the Sentra will not start.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician replaces the terminal pin on the engine room harness so the harness can maintain its connection with the Engine Control Unit. The replacement part and labor are covered by the recall, so the dealer repair is free. Nissan says there is no separate reimbursement program for repairs completed before the owner notice because the included Sentra vehicles are under warranty. If you have prior paperwork for the same harness or ECU connection issue, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 29, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 15, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V485?
Recall 16V485 covers 1,522 2016 Nissan Sentra vehicles with an engine room harness terminal pin that is too large to keep a stable ECU connection. If that connection is lost, the Sentra can fail to start or the engine can stall, increasing crash risk. Nissan dealers replace the terminal pin for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Nissan Sentra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sentra is included in recall 16V485. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and schedule the engine room harness terminal pin replacement. Reference recall number 16V485 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan's remedy states that dealers will replace the engine room harness terminal pin free of charge. Use a franchised Nissan dealer for the recall repair.
Is it safe to drive my 2016 Nissan Sentra before the recall repair?
This recall does not include a do not drive instruction. The safety risk is that a lost ECU connection can keep the vehicle from starting or cause an engine stall, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your Sentra is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V485000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V485 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V485000 |
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 →