Nissan Sentra years to avoid (and the best years)

3,260 NHTSA owner complaints and 29 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

Compared with: Nissan Altima

3,260complaints
29recalls
231reported crashes
41reported fires
185reported injuries
2reported deaths

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Nissan Sentra years to avoid are 2013 and 2014. The typical Nissan Sentra year has 180 complaints on file.

2013: 638 complaints, 3.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (49% of complaints) and the brakes (15% of complaints).
2014: 380 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (48% of complaints) and the engine (17% of complaints).

What are the best Nissan Sentra years?

The Nissan Sentra years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (19), 2022 (81) and 2010 (144). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2026	15	0.1×	1	1	1	Few red flags	Wheels
2025	30	0.2×	4	6	3	Few red flags	Electrical system
2024	38	0.2×	3	6	5	Few red flags	Steering
2023	19	0.1×	1	1	2	Few red flags	Electrical system
2022	81	0.5×	2	1	8	Few red flags	Steering
2021	131	0.7×	3	14	8	Some concerns to check	Steering
2020	204	1.1×	4	8	2	Few red flags	Forward collision avoidance system
2019	222	1.2×	2	16	18	Few red flags	Electrical system
2018	185	1.0×	2	17	11	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2017	230	1.3×	3	29	21	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2016	270	1.5×	6	18	13	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2015	351	1.9×	3	23	23	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2014	380	2.1×	5	27	18	Approach with caution	Transmission and drivetrain
2013	638	3.5×	6	24	20	Approach with caution	Transmission and drivetrain
2012	180	1.0×	0	10	10	Few red flags	Transmission and drivetrain
2011	142	0.8×	2	19	14	Some concerns to check	Electrical system
2010	144	0.8×	3	11	8	Few red flags	Electrical system

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 818 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Electrical & infotainment198 (24%)
Steering, suspension & tires178 (22%)
Engine & powertrain163 (20%)
Brakes111 (14%)
Airbags & seat belts57 (7%)

Recalls (29)

Transmission · 26V410000 · Jun 2026 · model year 2025
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a driveshaft that is not fully engaged can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 26V145000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2026
A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 26V023000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2025
A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
Body & glass · 25V807000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2025
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V153000 · Mar 2025 · model year 2025
An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 24V498000 · Jul 2024 · model year 2024
An owner who cannot see their VIN clearly may not recognize their vehicle is involved in a safety recall, and may not have the recall remedy performed, which could increase the risk of injury, fire, or a crash.
Transmission · 24V304000 · Apr 2024 · model year 2024
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V154000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V628000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2020, 2021
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V581000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 23V421000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2022
Corrosion of the electrical components could result in failure of various electrical systems, such as loss of wiper motor function or exterior lighting, inoperative air bags, or the ability to shift into gear without applying the brake pedal. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short-circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Exterior lighting · 22V244000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2020
An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V461000 · Jun 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 21V135000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V654000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V551000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2017
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V253000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2014, 2016, 2017
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Electrical system · 16V485000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
If the engine room harness loses connection to the ECU, the vehicle may not start or the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V436000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V242000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
Airbags · 16V244000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Airbags · 15V681000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2013, 2014
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Safety · 15V453000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2015
A door that does not fully latch may result in the door opening while the car is moving. The distraction may increase the risk of a crash and/or a vehicle occupant may fall out of the vehicle if they are not wearing a seatbelt, increasing their risk of injury.
Electrical system · 14V138000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Airbags · 13V069000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Fuel system · 13V068000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
Electrical system · 11V579000 · Dec 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Electrical system · 10V555000 · Nov 2010 · model years 2010, 2011
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V401000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.