Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% | 14,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 4% | 64,000 miles |
| 2015 | 14 | 4% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 9% | 8,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 168,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 155,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% | 99,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% | 104,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% | 98,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% | 87,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% | 168,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The front splash guard on my vehicle detached twice under normal driving conditions due to a design flaw in the fasteners. The splash guard is secured with plastic push pins and a single screw, which are not strong enough to withstand common road conditions such as standing water or wind pressure. The first incident occurred when my wife drove through an unseen puddle during heavy rain, which immediately tore the entire splash guard off. The vehicle had to be towed to Victory Nissan for repair. The dealership reattached the splash guard using plastic fasteners and one screw, but did not replace the damaged part. The same issue occurred again because once the splash guard is cracked or weakened, it catches wind and detaches easily. When this happens, the large 4x5 ft. piece of plastic can fly off on the freeway, creating a serious danger to both the vehicle occupants and other drivers. …
Following a severe rainstorm, heavy water intrusion occurred inside the vehicle. The rear passenger floorboard and the interior of the trunk were completely saturated with water. Immediately following this water intrusion, the factory backup camera system completely failed and stopped functioning, creating an immediate rear visibility hazard when operating the vehicle in reverse.The vehicle was taken to an authorized brand dealership for inspection. The dealership confirmed that the backup camera module failed explicitly due to liquid/water damage, and the failed part is available for inspection. However, the dealership stated that all factory weather seals and body drains are clear and functioning perfectly. Because they cannot identify the engineering defect or source allowing water to bypass the structure, they denied warranty coverage. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while approaching a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard a sound of water in the rear of the vehicle. Once the contact arrived at the residence, the contact examined the rear passenger's and driver's side doors and removed the rubber from around the doors and water started draining from the doors. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,000. The VIN was not available.
There is a current open recall Campain ID R23B3 on the tie rods requiring replacement, however there is no current remedy per Nissan. This faulty tie rod can break and cause COMPLETE loss of steering, as there is a STOP SALE on this vehicle it is not safe to drive. Vaden Nissan has my vehicle every 5000 miles during each service/oil change from 2021 until 2024. I also notified the Vaden Nissan dealership again of this open recall issue during my last inspection, they rotated the new tires I had to purchase and sent me on my way. While driving my 2021 Nissan Sentra on [redacted] (a moderately busy highway), I experienced noticeable vibrations through the steering wheel, especially when accelerating and making turns. As I attempted to exit the highway, via a curved off-ramp, the steering wheel became extremely shaky and impossible to turn. …
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a cracking sound. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The contact noticed that the passenger's side front tie rod was fractured, and the tire appeared to bulge away from the tie rod. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed it with a fractured tie rod. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been drivable since February 2024 due to the failure and the parts not being available to repair the vehicle. …
1) The front passenger door will not open. This is a recurring problem and I have experienced it four times already. 2) CVT Malfunction warning is persistent. CVT resets when the engine is turned off and comes back on after about 10 to 15 minutes after the engine is started again, which creates a problem when you come to a complete stop. The transmission does not immediately get in gear and there is a very slow start-up in moving forward. The "ECO" engaged by itself and this problem started when I disengaged the "ECO" when I was headed up a hill. The problem with the "ECO" is intermittent. I took the car to a private mechanic and they did not have enough information from Nissan to correct this problem. I contacted Kimmel- Silverman, Lemon Law Attorney, and was told that Nissan was aware of the problem and has not issued a recall, as of this moment.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that she observed that the front overhead console had detach from the roof and was hanging by the wires. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper center console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired after an accident at the dealer, the mechanic stated that the front impact bar was missing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 62,800.
Related recalls (2)
Structure › Body
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Sentra vehicles. The driver's side cowl area may have a missing or improper seal, which can allow water to leak inside the vehicle and corrode electrical components.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reseal the driver's side cowl. If moisture or corrosion is found, the main harness and engine room harness will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Structure › Body › Door
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of three styrofoam pads located in each rear door as part of the design for ensuring compliance with FMVSS no. 214, "side door strength," was not installed.
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing pad in each rear door.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Sentra years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (17), 2015 (14), 2002 (10), 2016 (10) and 2017 (9) model years. Body complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Nissan Sentra body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-421 (body, Jun 12, 2023); 97V-110 (door, Jul 22, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Sentra body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (105 mentions), followed by the body › door (13).
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.