2017 Nissan Sentra Electrical Problems

33 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2017 Nissan Sentra to NHTSA — 14% of all 231 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 42,000 miles. That ranks #11 of 32 Sentra model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 24). One related recall has been issued.

33complaints
42ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
4fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    321%
  • 25k–50k
    643%
  • 50k–75k
    321%
  • 75k–100k
    17%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    17%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra S. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the RPM's increased. The brake pedal was depressed however the contact crashed into a curb and then a fire hydrant causing the vehicle to flip. There was smoke and a burning odor present. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed and the fire department was present. The contact sustained leg injuries from cracking the front windshield in order to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that he received an unknown recall notice and felt that it was related to the failure experienced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 63,000.

63,000 miles · Nov 2021 · crash · fire · 1 injury

i got thiz note couple weeks late you guys dinr warn me its was defective i crashed for this recal reason the lights war having problems when iwas driving and of and on and the emgine started to rev and the saftey to turn steering wheel locked and i crashed veichle turn of while that happen then slamed into side walk and firehidrant frip me over i lost my car becausebof thiz now tjat i got this recal youguys destroid my confort now i panic and lost my car

Feb 2021 · crash · 1 injury

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer indicated that the mileage was 92,000. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact's wife purchased the Carfax report and stated that the odometer reading was 179,070 on April 22, 2025.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 179,000 miles · Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. An unknown alarm engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000

41,000 miles · Mar 2022

on acceleration to 60 mph or more noted moments of jerky/hesitation as if shifting gears- evaluation by dealership x2- they noted the same thing....could not fix the problem was told to bring back once engine light comes on or sensor code is generated in their computer system which checks the transmission. Awareness that this is a transmission problem. a month later car fails to increase speed to 50mph going up a small incline...driving over a mountainous pass.....then as got to a straightaway it had to shift down to 20-30 mph due to weather conditions and traffic- then the RPM keep wavering would not be steady at this lower mph....then within 10 miles of this....intown at stop lights RPM would acelerate at complete stop and then it didn't want to move- was able to get up to 10 mph yet could not get through the intersection without the traffic light turning red before I could make it …

Dec 2022

On January 29th 2022, we drove the car on the interstate at about 65-70 mph for over two hours when suddenly, the vehicle completely shut off. We were able to navigate safely into the shoulder while the power steering, dashboard, and engine were all completely off. No lights or other errors appeared. We took the car to an auto zone where they checked and cleaned the battery from corrosion. Assuming we were fine, we embarked on the three hour journey home on the same highway the next day. We drove the car for about 45 minutes short distances with no errors. As we got ready to return home, we got on the highway again. About 30 minutes into the drive going the same speed, the car shut down again. No warnings or errors like the last time. We took the car to a Nissan dealership in Monroeville, PA. They held the car for a week doing inspections and say that there are no errors. …

Jan 2022

found out by someone else about recall on my car about the stop switch and transmission on car then took it to petro nissan and they told me they voided my recall and fixed it but it was never fixed because the situation has started on my car and with the transmssion started messing up with battery being drained with stop switch problem and my airbag light blinking off and on with me surfing the internet i found to where theres a recall on electrical ignition .air bags and with the brake light switch i need this solved asap please and will need a loaner are rental as its being fixed please again because every dealer i have been to and had check it refused to fix it without charging me alot of money

Oct 2022

About 6 months ago I had the brake light switch repaired because my car wouldn't start due to the brake lights not coming on. So yesterday I'm almost was rear ended due to m break lights not coming on, and then got stranded at midnight , by myself, out of town. Finally I put both of my feet on the break and pushed as hard as I could and it started. Called Nissan in Tracy, CA they stated there's no fix and to have it towed there if it won't start. Well what if someone slams into me? They also did not offer to change the switch like the safety recall states they should. This dealership has now put my safety and my children's safety at risk.

Sep 2021

CONCERN: This is the second time the engine does not shut off. All warning lights go off, unsteady steering wheel and odometer/odograph failed. This is not just a malfunction issue it is a severe safety concern. Back in January of 2023 it happen for the first time and was told Control Unit IPDM, Engine Room needed to be replaced and it was. But once again while driving the steering wheel went unsteady, all warning lights went off, odometer/odograph failed while on the road. This is an extremely safety concern. I bought the car brand new and as of now it has not been in any car accidents.

Aug 2023

I have called nissan usa and the nissan in newburgh to schedule an appointment for lamp switch recall and have not recieved any calls or communication back. At this point im scared that the lamp switch is affecting my transmission and I'm just getting the runaround from nissan so they don't have to take care of it. My car has episodes where is now doesn't start and I need to get a jump. My car also shifts out of gear while driving which is incredibly dangerous especially since I take the highway to work. Please let me know how to proceed

May 2025

Related recalls

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 18V-551 · Aug 21, 2018 · 153,047 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018.

Electrical complaints in other Sentra years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’268111031229445435281710111165034134332254533326545382481041
Electrical complaints per model year, Nissan Sentra.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Nissan Sentra, 14% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2017 Nissan Sentra electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-551 (ignition, Aug 21, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2017 Nissan Sentra electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

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.