Nissan Sentra Problems by Year

We compared every Nissan Sentra model year from 1995–2026 using 5,508 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 52 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2016, which drew far more complaints than other Sentra years at the same age. The best years are 2023 and 2024.

32model years
5,508complaints
52recalls
2013, 2014worst years
2023, 2024best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261171411085859171236304180197170116154167551441421806383803522702311852232061328120413119
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Sentra. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026192.5×1Collision AvoidanceAverage
2025311.3×4Wheel & TireAverage
202441−29%3SteeringAverage
202320−68%1ElectricalGood
202281typical2SteeringAverage
20211321.5×3Collision AvoidanceCaution
20202062.0×4Collision AvoidanceAvoid
20192231.9×2ElectricalCaution
20181851.5×2TransmissionCaution
20172311.8×3TransmissionCaution
20162702.0×6TransmissionCaution
20153522.4×3TransmissionAvoid
20143802.7×5TransmissionAvoid
20136384.5×6TransmissionAvoid
20121801.2×—TransmissionAverage
2011142typical2ElectricalAverage
2010144typical3ElectricalAverage
200955−65%1AirbagGood
2008167typical3AirbagAverage
2007154typical1AirbagAverage
2006116−44%5EngineGood
2005170typical5EngineAverage
2004197typical4EngineAverage
2003180typical7EngineAverage
20023041.8×10EngineCaution
20012361.6×7EngineCaution
2000171typical6EngineAverage
199959−56%—ElectricalGood
199858−59%1AirbagGood
1997108−26%3AirbagAverage
1996141typical3AirbagAverage
1995117−15%3AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Sentra year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Nissan Sentra problems

Latest Nissan Sentra recalls

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 26V-410 · Jun 26, 2026 · 946 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2026.

Seats

NHTSA recall 26V-145 · Mar 13, 2026 · 15 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 26V-023 · Jan 20, 2026 · 26,432 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261.

Visibility › Windshield

NHTSA recall 25V-807 · Nov 20, 2025 · 41,797 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Seats

NHTSA recall 25V-153 · Mar 11, 2025 · 199 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025.

All 52 Nissan Sentra recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan Sentra should you avoid?

2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2016 and 2019 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sentra years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2013.

What is the best year for the Nissan Sentra?

2023 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sentra years at the same age, followed by 2024. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Nissan Sentra problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,251), transmission & drivetrain (1,239) and electrical system (791). Engine complaints peak in the 2002 model year.

How many recalls has the Nissan Sentra had?

52 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2002. See all Nissan Sentra recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.