Most common 2009 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of the 55 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 →
2009 Nissan Sentra recalls (1)
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.
What 2009 Nissan Sentra owners say
Air bags
The airbag exploded on driver's side, knocked be unconscious for a few minutes, when I came too the car was out of control. I hit a iron pole in front of wal-green's. The vehicle was in motion at the time.the car was totaled by the insurance company, in which they picked up the car and took it away.
The air bag warning light pop on when I was stopping for red light. The car has not been in a crash ,fire , or flood. The air bag module must be a manufacturer problem, this is not no routine maintenance problem. There are other Nissan models with same problem. Please don't let manufacturers get away with this, it is putting me and my passengers in very high danger. This is a item only manufacturers have easy access to.I payed alot of money for vehicle, please add my vehicle for recall , there's no where else to turn to. Thank for your help and consideration.
Steering
The airbag exploded on driver's side, knocked be unconscious for a few minutes, when I came too the car was out of control. I hit a iron pole in front of wal-green's. The vehicle was in motion at the time.the car was totaled by the insurance company, in which they picked up the car and took it away.
This is a 2009 Nissan Sentra purchased new from reed Nissan in 2009. In January 2016 the horn failed completely. For some time before that the horn was working only intermittently, and for approximately 6 months before that the car would make a clacking sound when turning. On January 28, 2016 we brought it in to reed Nissan to investigate. The technician diagnosed the condition as "technician finds that the steering column assembly is faulty causing noise and binding." we were concerned that since this is an electronic column not replacing it might lead to steering failure, and the lack of a horn made the car unsafe. Reed Nissan indicated the entire steering column had to be replaced. The cost of this service was: parts$1,956.48 labor$ 289.88 freight $ 80.00(to replace steering column).
Brakes
I was driving on the interstate to go and visit my granddaughter from PA to New York when all of a sudden I press on the break pedal and the brakes stopped working there was no warning sign on the dashboard I was alone in the car and afraid I started to slow down there was a lot of traffic trucks and I pulled over on the side slowly and use the emergency break and thank God I'm alive today to tell you my ordeal thank God I didn't get hurt and no one got hurt and the best part I got to see my granddaughter 9 hours later. Basically I was informed that my brake line was broke in three pieces I cannot believe it just be careful always check your brake line thank you stay safe out there!!
My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn't die there was no sign on the dashboard also my brakes even when I change the pads the rotors and calipers they always make noise. I change brake pads every year and that's not right I don't think so. I always buy the best quality even when purchased fluids always buy CVT oil and I get it from the Nissan dealership.
2009 Nissan Sentra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 |
| 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 2009 Nissan Sentra a good car?
Based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Sentra rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than 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 2009 Nissan Sentra?
The air bags — 15 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the steering (11) and brakes (10).
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Sentra have?
There is 1 recall for the 2009 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 2009 Nissan Sentra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 42% 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.