Nissan Sentra Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Nissan Sentra options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Nissan Sentra has 1,124 owner complaints and 25 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Sentra
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,124
- Safety recall campaigns
- 25
- Crash-related complaints
- 95
- Fire-related complaints
- 11
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (228 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Nissan Sentra: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe NISSAN SENTRA has 1,124 NHTSA complaints and 25 recalls on record. 95 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,124 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 25 federal recall campaigns
- 95 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
25 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
SEATS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
STRUCTURE:BODY
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
SEATS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,124 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,124 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I purchased a Gray Nissan Sentra SR brand new on [XXX] with 27 miles on the odometer. The Nissan dealership was located in California. On [XXX] I saw a bubble, approximately 2" inches in diameter on the outside facing sidewall of the right front tire. At the time I saw the bubble, the car had approximately 9,700 miles on the odometer. The vehicle WAS NOT involved in any accident or DID NOT strike any large pot holes or other object that would cause the bubble on the tire. The tire is a manufactured by Hankook and it is part of the Kinergy GT series. Tire size is 215/45R18 89V. Bubble can be seen directly over the tire size on the sidewall (see pictures). This is an extremely serious condition. It can result in catastrophic tire failure causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and resulting in potential injury or death. I took the vehicle to the Nissan dealership where I bought it and they WOULD NOT cover it under my 36 month new car warranty. I had to pay $339.54 to replace the defective tire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased an Orange Nissan Sentra SR brand new on [XXX] with 27 miles on the odometer. The Nissan dealership was located in California. On [XXX] I saw a bubble, approximately 2" inches in diameter on the outside facing sidewall of the right front tire. At the time I saw the bubble, the car had approximately 8,775 miles on the odometer. The vehicle WAS NOT involved in any accident or DID NOT strike any large pot holes or other object that would cause the bubble on the tire. The tire is a manufactured by Hankook and it is part of the Kinergy GT series. Tire size is 215/45R18 89V. Bubble can be seen directly over the tire size on the sidewall (see pictures). This is an extremely serious condition. It can result in catastrophic tire failure causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and resulting in potential injury or death. I took the vehicle to the Nissan dealership where I bought it and they WOULD NOT cover it under my 36 month new car warranty. I had to pay $339.54 to replace the defective tire. This was one of two similar vehicles I bought on the same day. The other vehicle also had the same bubbling on the exact same spot on the tire (NHTSA complaint #[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space at 4 MPH, the rear cross-traffic alert failed to activate, causing the vehicle to crash into a 3-foot cement pole. There were no warning lights illuminated and no chime. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,125.
Date of purchase from dealer: right passenger door lock non-functional. the salesperson had to have the door opened from the outside to exit the car. He took the care to be repaired while the paperwork was completed. Subsequently I have been unable to exit both doors without pushing the UNLOCK button. The door handle does not itself open the door. 2. Both screens flicker/dim/darken, and at times are completely black for up to 5 seconds. 3. The rear passenger seat belt is extremely difficult to latch with child safety seat in place. The car was taken to two different dealers without any repair/s completed. I was told the door lock having to be manually opened was a 'safety feature'. I was told that the screen dims on purpose related to a monitor on the dash. I brought a video of it happening. It happens in the dark with no streetlights or change of lighting. I was told that the back passenger seat belt "works fine if you don't put a child safety seat there." The dealer who sold me the vehicle states they have no record of repairing the right front door lock the day of purchase. I had my niece with me in the car and witnessed the problem. When I asked for a copy of the service completed, they stated that they have none.
Summary: I am reporting two significant defects on my 2025 Nissan Sentra that pose safety risks. 1. Suspension/Steering: During low-speed maneuvers (approx. 20mph) such as navigating roundabouts, there is a persistent mechanical creaking/squealing noise from the front passenger side. The dealership technician verified the noise but provided a physically impossible diagnosis, claiming "tires were slipping," despite the vehicle being brand new with tires in perfect condition. This suggests a defect in the control arm bushings or strut mounts which affects steering predictability. 2. Power Window/Electrical: The driver-side window produces a loud, piercing screech when operated. More critically, the window switch has experienced intermittent functional failure where it becomes unresponsive. This is a safety hazard as it could prevent emergency egress or cabin ventilation. Manufacturer Response: > Both issues are documented and have been reported to Nissan Consumer Affairs (Case #56515863). However, the manufacturer stated they have "no solution" and directed me to argue with the dealership. No technical specialist has been assigned to inspect these safety-related mechanical and electrical failures. The vehicle is available for inspection.
My Nissan Sentra experienced unintended forward movement while Reverse was selected. After restarting the vehicle and shifting back into Park and then Reverse, the vehicle moved forward instead of backward, and the brake behavior became abnormal. This caused a minor collision. The condition has been reproducible, and I have video evidence documenting the issue. The vehicle is currently being held, and I was informed that repairs should not begin until Nissan inspects the vehicle and retrieves diagnostic/event data. I am submitting this as a potential safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement, shifting, braking, and vehicle control.
Read 14 more owner reports
I purchased this car around January 2025 & around August 2025 I started having battery issues. It’s currently March 2026. I have to keep having the battery jumped at. When he battery wasn’t jumping I had to get it sent to a nissan where they said nothing was wrong with the car so the next day the battery failed again.. and again each day . I have to keep calling AAA to come have the car jumped which I ended up just getting a portable battery jumper which works sometimes but other times I would have to call AAA of course, or if it doesn’t start at all, I will have to get it told to nissan. Certain times the car would start up and then when you pull out the parking space it’ll start shaking and then you’re driving in the car will slowly turn off. You’ll just be sitting there and that’s the main time you’ll have to get it towed to the dealership. Recently it happened on the side of the road from me, leaving the dealership and the police ended up, towing the car because triple AAA didn’t come fast enough which I had to pay 300 something dollars to get it out of the tow yard. System malfunction pops up, the engine light blinking , battery light pops up.
Rental car company is renting out cars with open safety recalls. I paid 1212$ cash ( I did not plan on this expense. I did not have that much money on one card so they told me to remove it from multiple cards at an ATM and give them cash ) for a seven day rental only to find out if open safety recalls on it. I took it back the next day. They said it did not have a recall. They did not offer me an exchange or refund. They took the car before I talked to them about my complaint. They did not remove the charges for the seven days of insurance or tolls and charge me 50 extra dollars for gas. not only are they breaking federal law they’re taking advantage of the elderly.
I am the owner of a 2025 Nissan Sentra with approximately 3,200 miles. The vehicle was purchased new from an authorized Nissan dealership in Columbia, South Carolina. The vehicle is subject to an open safety recall identified as the Door Striker Campaign. As of January 29th, the vehicle has been removed from commercial rental service due to the open safety recall. Nissan North America has confirmed: • No recall repair parts are currently available • No confirmed repair timeline exists • No definitive completion date has been provided On February 10, 2026, I was notified that recall parts were available and instructed to arrange service. Approximately six hours later, I was informed that the part identified was incorrect and repair could not be performed. As of today, the vehicle remains unrepaired and no repair date has been provided. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Nissan North America is meeting its federal safety recall obligations under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 regarding timely recall remedy performance.
Only 1 week after purchasing the car new from Nissan of Clearwater, the rear seat belt alarms would trigger when someone would sit back there after they fastened their seat belt and I drove off. The other 2 seat belt alarms would sound nonstop until the back seat passenger fastened the empty seats belts. I brought the car in 3 times to be repaired and the problem is still not fixed. This is a SAFETY issue because I am not sure if the rear seat belts are functioning properly and I will not take a chance that someone could be injured or killed in this car. I have contacted Nissan of North America Consumer Affairs and reported the issue. Hopefully they will resolve this very dangerous issue.
The adhesive on 3 of the rear parking sensors failed and the brackets holding the sensors in place fell off into the inside of the bumper triggering the sensor to go off constantly when reversing and auto brake.
I am submitting a vehicle defect complaint pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 regarding a potential safety related defect involving engine, electrical, and powertrain systems. The vehicle experienced early engine and electrical malfunction at relatively low mileage, requiring replacement of the engine wiring harness and removal and reinstallation of the engine and transaxle assembly. These are major powertrain and electrical repairs not reasonably expected on a nearly new vehicle and raise concerns regarding vehicle reliability and safe operation. The vehicle displayed a Malfunction Indicator Light warning indicating an engine and emissions system malfunction, with warnings that continued operation could cause additional damage. Such warnings and failures create a risk of reduced power, drivability issues, or further system failure while operating the vehicle. Insurance repair documentation reflects the selection of a recycled LKQ drivetrain related component, including a recycled engine, transaxle, or CVT related component, which raises additional concerns about durability and safety when installed in a nearly new vehicle. Early powertrain and electrical failures involving engine management and emissions systems may implicate compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards and warrant review under NHTSA defect monitoring authority. I am requesting that NHTSA log, track, and evaluate this complaint for defect trend analysis, potential noncompliance, or further investigation under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 to determine whether similar failures are occurring in other vehicles of the same make and model.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Sentra. The contact had stopped at a State Office to register the vehicle. While at the registration office, the contact was informed that there was an open recall associated with the vehicle. The contact checked the NHTSA website and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V807000 (VISIBILITY). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The contact was provided with documentation supporting the statement. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was informed that the recall listed on the NHTSA website was in error. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I rear ended another vehicle and my airbags did not deploy.
Rear seatbelts trigger a no seatbelt alarm when somebody unbuckles and leaves the vehicle. As well as when somebody leaves and comes back and puts on the seatbelt, the alarm saying that the seatbelt is still not buckled up. It only does it after somebody does buckle in and buckle out and reset anytime the car is turned off and then turned back on. Found out that the rear seats do not have weight sensors, and this has to do with the actual seatbelts sensors. Noticed that buckling the center seatbelt sometimes, sometimes, will cancel out the alarm. In either case, the audible alarm within the vehicle, goes off within two minutes. At my first oil change, dealership said that to wait till the second oil change to see if it fixes itself. Went in for another visit at 7500 miles, and mentioned that it was not fixing itself and that tired of having to deal with it. That visit was for a That visit was for an ECM replacement, which is another case, they said it was a recall and found out that it’s some internal recall within the dealership, and I was hoping that maybe it was that which was causing the seatbelt system not to work properly. It did not fix it after they replaced the ECM. They finally tested the seatbelts, found that my car has no rear seat weight sensor, rather it has just a standard seatbelt sensor when it buckles in and buckles out. They have order the replacement seatbelts and will be installing them this weekend at the dealership.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the contact's foot slid off onto the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the space between the pedals was too small. The contact stated that the pedals were too close together. The mechanic completed an unknown partial repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 8.
I was driving down the interstate, not a lot of people around me and my tire blew about spun out, but I was able to pull over. The cops came to help out when I was looking at the wheel. The whole rim is completely cracked and shot in half and didn’t hit anything
My 2025 Nissan purchased new May 2025 came with Firestone FT140 P 205 / 60 R 16 I started noticing a very slight vibration in rear tire at 42 mph around September 5600 miles On Sept 20, 2025 I took car on trip for several hundred miles at speeds over 70 mph. The car has developed a much more noticed vibration above 50 mph. On Sept. 22 I had tires checked for failure. Local tire store who sells Firestone told me both rear tires was out of round. This store could not warranty my tires, they said they only sold them. I would have to find a real dealer. I called Firestone # listed in my Nissan warranty book 1 800 847 3272 I gave them my Zip Code and problem, I was advised to find real dealer on compter my self. I found a real service dealer 55 miles away, I called them they had none in stock. They found dealer in Clarksville TN. 150 miles away for me suggested I should go there for fast service. I have spent 7 hours today on phone and driving to many dealers sell Firestone tires around Somerset, Ky I have defective tires and Firestone company could care less.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Shift to Park” message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned on the hazard lights and waited for the vehicle to cool down before restarting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the grille shutter needed to be replaced, but only the check engine warning light was reset. The failure recurred several times, and the vehicle was then taken to Pohanka Nissan of Fredericksburg (10665 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408); who also determined that the grille shutter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later discovered that the vehicle was previously owned by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and was involved in a crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer denied a Lemon Law case. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
I bought a brand new 2025 Nissan Sentra SV Premium which included 17" wheels (only found on the SV Premium Package) with Michelin Primacy A/S size 215/50 R17 (original equipment). I began noticing some safety issues while driving straight out of the dealership. While driving on diamond ground concrete roads (rain grooved roads) on Interstate highways, the vehicle wobbles uncontrollable, to the point that I feel that I am about to lose control of the vehicle. I have to bring the vehicle to an unsafe low speed to control the vehicle. It seems like if the tread pattern from the tires locks into the grooves on the roads, and causes each tire to wobble the car wildly in different directions, which is absolutely terrifying at high speeds. I took the car back to the dealership with about 500 miles; they determined that the issue was rather from the tires and not from the vehicle.
Showing 20 of 1,124 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Nissan Sentra
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Nissan Sentra, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Nissan Sentra has 1,124 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Nissan Sentra has 25 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 95 of the Nissan Sentra's 1,124 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Nissan Sentra vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Nissan Sentra vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Nissan Sentra has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Nissan Sentra by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Nissan Sentra.
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Nissan Sentra reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan Sentra reliable?
Poor. The Nissan Sentra has 1,124 NHTSA owner complaints and 25 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Nissan Sentra years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (228 complaints), 2019 (220 complaints), 2020 (203 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Nissan Sentra problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (252 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (218 complaints); POWER TRAIN (207 complaints).
Does the Nissan Sentra have recalls?
Yes — 25 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Nissan Sentra. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.