Nissan Sentra problems and known issues

Generation:

Fifth generation (2000–2006)

Years:

2002–2006

Powertrain:

All

On 2002–2006 Sentras and several other early-2000s Nissan and Infiniti models, excess pressure can rupture the passenger front air bag inflator and spray metal fragments. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge. The 1,090,569 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [23]

Generation:

Fifth generation (2000–2006)

Years:

2002–2006

Powertrain:

All

Some 2002–2006 Sentras received non-desiccated Takata passenger inflators as interim parts in earlier recalls; these can explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. Dealers fit desiccated inflators free of charge. The 307,962 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [24]

Generation:

Fifth generation (2000–2006)

Years:

2002–2006

Powertrain:

All

Some 2002–2006 Sentras were inspected under earlier recalls and released without the Takata passenger inflator being replaced. Nissan advised owners not to drive these cars until dealers re-inspect them and replace the inflator, free of charge. NHTSA lists 3,930 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [25]

Generation:

Fifth generation (2000–2006)

Years:

2002

Powertrain:

All

On certain cars with the 2.5-liter engine, an exhaust hanger pin can catch road debris that ignites against the catalyst, and on 2002 Sentras and Altimas the pre-catalyst can overheat and break up, which can score the cylinders. Dealers trim the hanger pin, add heat shields and test the pre-catalyst, replacing the engine if damage is found, free of charge. The 338,000 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [26]

Generation:

Sixth generation (2007–2012)

Years:

2010–2011

Powertrain:

2.0L 4-cylinder (MR20)

A too-thick zinc coating on the battery terminal stud of certain 2010–2011 Sentras with the 2.0-liter engine can cause a voltage drop, hard starting, engine computer damage and stalling. Dealers replace the positive battery terminal and cover free of charge. A related campaign (10V555) covers a machining flaw in the same terminal on other 2010–2011 cars. NHTSA lists 33,803 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [16][17]

Generation:

Sixth generation (2007–2012)

Years:

2007–2008

Powertrain:

All

A machining flaw in some Bosch master cylinders on 2007–2008 Sentras lets brake fluid seep into the booster, lighting the brake warning; if ignored, one brake circuit may stop working. Dealers inspect and replace leaking master cylinders free of charge. A follow-up (09V431) covers more 2008 cars. NHTSA lists 169,202 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [18][19]

Generation:

Sixth generation (2007–2012)

Years:

2007–2010

Powertrain:

Xtronic CVT models

Nissan's owner warranty page states that 2003–2010 vehicles with a continuously variable transmission carry a 10-year/120,000-mile CVT limited warranty extension. EPA's listings show CVT versions of the 2007 and 2010 Sentra alongside manual-transmission versions. By now the 10-year term has run out on almost every one of these cars.

Sources: [20][21][22]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2016–2019

Powertrain:

All

The brake light switch on 2016–2019 Sentras can become contaminated so the brake lights do not come on. Dealers replace the switch and add a protective grommet free of charge. NHTSA lists 807,376 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [9]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2013–2016

Powertrain:

All

On 2013–2016 Sentras, using the front passenger belt to hold a child seat can bend its bracket so the occupant sensor misreads the seat and leaves the passenger air bag on. Dealers reinforce the bracket and reprogram the air bag and sensor units free of charge; Nissan warned owners not to install a child seat in the front. NHTSA lists 645,898 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [10]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2013–2016

Powertrain:

All

The occupant classification system in 2013–2016 Sentras and many other Nissans can misread an adult passenger and switch off the passenger front air bag. Dealers reprogram the air bag and classification control units free of charge. The 3,296,947 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [11]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2014, 2016–2017

Powertrain:

All

A manufacturing error in the passenger front air bag inflator of certain 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentras and 2015–2017 LEAFs can keep the air bag from deploying properly. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge. The 30,038 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [12]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2017

Powertrain:

All

On 2017 Sentras with a mechanical key, and several other Nissan models, a heavy key ring or a jolt can move the ignition from Run to Accessory and shut off the engine. Dealers inspect the ignition switch and replace it as needed, free of charge. The 153,047 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [13]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2013–2014

Powertrain:

All

Occupant classification software in 2013–2014 Sentras and several other models could read an occupied passenger seat as empty and turn off the passenger air bag. Dealers update the software free of charge. The 989,701 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [14]

Generation:

Seventh generation (2013–2019)

Years:

2013–2017

Powertrain:

Xtronic CVT models

BBB National Programs, which arbitrates claims under Nissan's CVT class settlements, lists the 2013–2017 Sentra among the covered vehicles and states that the powertrain warranty is extended from 60 months or 60,000 miles to 84 months or 84,000 miles, whichever occurs first, on certain CVT-equipped Nissans. This is a warranty extension, not a safety recall.

Sources: [15]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2025

Powertrain:

Xtronic CVT

On certain 2025 Sentras the left front driveshaft may not be fully seated in the CVT, which can leak transmission fluid, cut drive power and allow a rollaway if the parking brake is not set. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it and the CVT if needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 946 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [1]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2024

Powertrain:

Xtronic CVT

On certain 2024 Sentras the left front driveshaft may not be fully seated in the CVT or may have a loose or missing clip, leaking transmission fluid and cutting drive power. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it and the CVT if needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 9,645 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [2]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2025

Powertrain:

All

Certain 2025 Sentras may have windshields with visible air bubbles that can obstruct the driver's view. Dealers inspect and replace the windshield as needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 41,797 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [3]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2025

Powertrain:

All

Certain 2025 Sentras and Altimas, 2025–2026 Frontiers and 2026 Kicks may have door strikers with bad welds that can break and let a door open while driving. Dealers replace the strikers free of charge. The 26,432 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [4]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2023–2024

Powertrain:

All

A manufacturing issue can let the driver air bag inflator absorb moisture in a small number of 2023–2024 Sentras and other 2023–2024 Nissan and Infiniti models, so the air bag may deploy improperly. Dealers replace the driver air bag assembly free of charge. The 351 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [5]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2020–2022

Powertrain:

All

Tie rods on 2020–2022 Sentras can bend and then break, causing a loss of steering. This recall replaces and expands 21V461; dealers replace bent tie rods as an interim fix and then fit redesigned left and right tie rods, free of charge, including on cars repaired under the earlier campaign. NHTSA lists 236,238 vehicles in the campaign.

Sources: [6][7]

Generation:

Eighth generation (2020 onward)

Years:

2020–2021

Powertrain:

All

Damage to the camera wiring on 2020–2021 Sentras and 2019–2021 Altimas can distort or blank the rearview camera image. Dealers inspect and replace the camera and harness, or tape and reroute the harness, free of charge. The 153,376 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Sentra.

Sources: [8]