Most common 2008 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of the 167 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Sentra complaints by model year
Best Sentra years: 2023, 2024. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2016. Compare all years →
2008 Nissan Sentra recalls (3)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on September 16, 2010.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008 sentra passenger vehicles equipped with Bosch master cylinders. Brake fluid May leak from the master cylinder. If the amount of brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases to below the minimum level, the brake system warning indicator will illuminate as designed and the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the master cylinder brake booster assembly free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2009. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Nissan is recalling 169,202 my 2007-2008 sentra passenger vehicles equipped robert Bosch master cylinder. Due to the machining irregularity by the supplier, the internal seal groove in the body of some brake master cylinders May allow for a gap in the groove contact area of the seal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the master cylinder/brake booster assembly and if brake fluid leakage is detected, the master cylinder will be replaced with a new one free of charge. The recall began on August 20, 2008.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Nissan Sentra:
Scope of Recalls 08V311 and 09V431
Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA utilized vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) reports and did not request field information from Nissan.ODI identified two MY…
What 2008 Nissan Sentra owners say
Air bags all 53 →
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle in front abruptly depressed its brake pedal causing the driver to crash into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but no air bags were deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The car's airbag dashboard light has been on and blinking for about a month now- indicating an issue. I have not been in any recent accidents and it appeared on its own. Subsequently, the car horn does not work. Airbags and car horn are necessary to prevent accidents and serious injury, including death in the event of an accident. I advised my local Nissan dealership who stated there are no current recalls and the car would need to be inspected- which will likely be costly. No inspections have been made at this time.
Engine & cooling all 25 →
I was operating my vehicle on riverside drive in studio city, california when the vehicle shook abruptly followed a few seconds later with a loud explosion. Debris and oil sprayed onto my hood and I had to nearly avoid an accident as my car was completely out of control. I was able to turn the wheel slightly and pull to the side. It was at this point the vehicle caught fire under the hood and I immediately got out of the vehicle. My father who was following me ran to the nearest gas station in an attempt to calm the flames while I called 911. The vehicle was still on fire when the fire department arrived. Eventually they were able to put the flames out and open the hood. Under the hood you can see a fire starting from the electrical and battery area leading to the engine. The car was deemed a total loss a few days later by my insurance. It appeared the battery overheated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. While driving 65 MPH, the rpms increased and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be coasted to the side of the road. The contact powered off the engine. Once restarted, the vehicle was able to drive normally. The failure recurred three times. The contact called alan jay Nissan at [phone] (located at 1700 flare rd, sebring, fl 33872) where an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,481.
Brakes all 21 →
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at very slow speeds, she attempted to engage the brakes and they vehicle failed to respond. Since she was driving in the direction of a building, she was only able to stop the vehicle by crashing into a handicap sign and shut the engine off. There were no injuries or damage to the vehicle. She attempted to drive the vehicle and it would not move forward. The "brake" warning light was illuminated on the dashboard. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 5,200 and the failure mileage was approximately 5,100.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. On November 3, 2008, while slowing down for a traffic light at 25 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The driver crashed into the front driver's side of another vehicle. The driver received injuries to her left leg, arm, and lower back. A report was filed with the manufacturer. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed and is investigating the crash. The penbrook pine police report number was 2008-086387. The current and failure mileages were 16,000.
2008 Nissan Sentra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 31 / 27 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 24 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra a good car?
Based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Sentra rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Sentra at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Nissan Sentra?
The air bags — 53 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the engine & cooling (25) and brakes (21).
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Nissan Sentra, the most recent from September 10, 2010 (navigational system(global positioning system)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Sentra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2016. See the full Nissan Sentra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Sentra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.