Nissan Sentra Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Nissan Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100 and 638 complaints, mostly transmission-related. Best years are 2010, 2012, 2022, and 2023, with complaint indexes as low as 0-20.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2019Best 2010Best 2012Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,249
- Recall campaigns
- 28
- Crashes reported
- 230
- Fires reported
- 40
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Sentra Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Sentra problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 7 | 144 | 11 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 33 | 142 | 19 | 6 | 2 | Engine | 26 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 20 | 180 | 10 | 4 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 638 | 24 | 4 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 33 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 93 | 380 | 27 | 6 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 87 | 351 | 23 | 3 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 270 | 18 | 2 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 73 | 230 | 29 | 6 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 47 | 185 | 17 | 3 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 222 | 16 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 29 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 205 | 8 | 0 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 131 | 14 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 13 | 81 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Steering | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 27 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 33.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 33.5 | 5★ |
Sentra years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Nissan Sentra Index 100 · 638 complaints · 6 recalls
2013 is the worst Sentra year on record, with 638 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Owners describe sudden power loss and stalling tied to the CVT. Engine complaints (21% of the total) and brake issues at a much lower median mileage of 21,000 also appear. Six recalls hit this year, including two rounds of airbag-related campaigns and a seat belt bracket fix. One death and 24 crashes are listed.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →
2014 Nissan Sentra Index 93 · 380 complaints · 5 recalls
2014 carries a complaint index of 93 with 380 total complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 82,000, and owners report stalling and jerking during acceleration. Engine complaints follow at 23% with a 74,272-mile median. Airbag deployment failures were also reported. Five recalls apply to this year, including a passenger airbag inflator replacement and a seat belt bracket reinforcement. 27 crashes and 6 fires are recorded.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 airbags problems →
2015 Nissan Sentra Index 87 · 351 complaints · 3 recalls
2015 has 351 complaints and a complaint index of 87. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 49% of complaints with a median mileage of 75,500, echoing the pattern from 2013-2014. Engine complaints follow at 29%, failing at a much lower median of 55,500 miles. Owners also reported electrical fires and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. Three recalls cover this year, including airbag seat belt bracket and door-related fixes. 23 crashes and 23 injuries were reported, with 3 fires.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 airbags problems →
2019 Nissan Sentra Index 80 · 222 complaints · 2 recalls
2019 breaks from the transmission pattern seen in earlier avoid years, posting a complaint index of 80 with 222 complaints led by Electrical System issues at 39% (median mileage 36,000). Owners describe brake light switch failures and automatic emergency braking activating unexpectedly. Transmission complaints still account for 24% of the total. Two recalls apply, covering a brake light switch contamination issue and a back-up camera software update. 16 crashes and 18 injuries were reported.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 brakes problems →
Most common Nissan Sentra problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,106 (34%)
- Engine725 (22%)
- Electrical System575 (18%)
- Other499 (15%)
- Brakes433 (13%)
- Airbags340 (10%)
- Steering227 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras209 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires138 (4%)
- Fuel System125 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Nissan Sentra years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019 as the Sentra years to avoid, based on complaint volume and complaint index. 2013 is the worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 638 complaints, mostly Transmission & Powertrain.
- What are the best Nissan Sentra years?
- 2010, 2012, 2022, and 2023 are the best Sentra years based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. 2023 has the lowest complaint index at 0 with only 20 complaints, and 2022 has an index of 13 with 81 complaints.
- Is the 2013 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- The 2013 Sentra ranks worst of all 16 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100, 638 complaints, and 6 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 49% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000.
- What is the most common Sentra problem overall?
- Across all years covered, Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top complaint category, accounting for 1,106 complaints and 34% of the total 3,249 complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Does the Nissan Sentra have transmission recalls?
- The JSON does not list a specific CVT transmission recall campaign, but transmission problems are the top complaint area in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, with recalls in those years covering airbags, seat belts, and other components.