Nissan Sentra Problems by Year
NHTSA has 5,505 owner complaints and 52 safety recalls on file for the Nissan Sentra, across 32 model years (1995–2026). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (638). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
Nissan Sentra years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sentra year: 2013, 2014, 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 Sentra: 638 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2014 Sentra: 380 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2015 Sentra: 351 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2026 Sentra: 18 complaints, 1 recall
- 2023 Sentra: 20 complaints, 1 recall
- 2025 Sentra: 31 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Nissan Sentra problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 1,238 | 30 | 24 |
| Electrical System problems | 790 | 32 | 16 |
| Air Bags problems | 760 | 29 | 305 |
| Engine problems | 677 | 29 | 16 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 581 | 22 | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 409 | 32 | 36 |
| Service Brakes problems | 372 | 26 | 58 |
| Steering problems | 327 | 30 | 45 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 191 | 13 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 171 | 27 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 168 | 25 | 48 |
| Suspension problems | 166 | 31 | 10 |
| Structure problems | 156 | 30 | 45 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 123 | 25 | 11 |
| Visibility problems | 122 | 23 | 5 |
| Tires problems | 116 | 24 | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 111 | 19 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems | 102 | 17 | 5 |
| Wheels | 96 | 23 | 16 |
| Seat Belts | 87 | 28 | 25 |
| Equipment | 54 | 20 | 5 |
| Seats | 40 | 21 | 10 |
| Back Over Prevention | 29 | 9 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 26 | 14 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 22 | 15 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 16 | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/unknown | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Nissan Sentra problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2020: forward collision avoidance (60) · steering (55)
- 2019: electrical system (64) · power train (54)
- 2017: power train (76)
- 2016: power train (127)
- 2015: power train (172) · engine (68)
- 2014: power train (182) · engine (62) · air bags (51)
- 2013: power train (311) · air bags (96) · service brakes (95) · engine (87) · vehicle speed control (51)
- 2012: power train (68)
- 2010: electrical system (50)
- 2008: air bags (53)
- 2004: engine and engine cooling (59)
- 2003: engine and engine cooling (86)
- 2002: engine and engine cooling (127) · electrical system (54)
- 2001: engine and engine cooling (93)
- 2000: engine and engine cooling (72)
- 1996: air bags (53)
All Nissan Sentra model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sentra | 18 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Sentra | 31 | 4 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Sentra | 41 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Sentra | 20 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Sentra | 81 | 2 | 5★ | Steering | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Sentra | 132 | 3 | 5★ | Steering | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 Sentra | 206 | 4 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | More complaints than other years |
| 2019 Sentra | 222 | 2 | 4★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2018 Sentra | 185 | 2 | 4★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2017 Sentra | 231 | 3 | 4★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 Sentra | 270 | 6 | 4★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2015 Sentra | 351 | 3 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Sentra | 380 | 5 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Sentra | 638 | 6 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Sentra | 180 | 0 | 4★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 Sentra | 142 | 2 | 4★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2010 Sentra | 144 | 3 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2009 Sentra | 55 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Sentra | 167 | 3 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2007 Sentra | 154 | 1 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2006 Sentra | 116 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Sentra | 170 | 5 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2004 Sentra | 197 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 2003 Sentra | 180 | 7 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2002 Sentra | 304 | 10 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 2001 Sentra | 236 | 7 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 2000 Sentra | 171 | 6 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1999 Sentra | 59 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1998 Sentra | 58 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 Sentra | 108 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 Sentra | 141 | 3 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 Sentra | 117 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
More from Nissan: all Nissan models · Nissan VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Sentra years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (638), 2014 (380), 2015 (351) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sentra year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Sentra?
Power Train, with 1,238 complaints across 30 model years.
How many recalls does the Nissan Sentra have?
52 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.