Nissan Sentra Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Nissan Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100 and 638 complaints, mostly transmission and powertrain failures. The best years are 2023 and 2024, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,911
- Recall campaigns
- 36
- Crashes reported
- 315
- Fires reported
- 58
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 5 | 170 | 13 | 4 | 5 ! | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 10 | 116 | 22 | 1 | 5 ! | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 55 | 154 | 21 | 10 | 1 | Airbags | 26.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 45 | 167 | 20 | 3 | 3 | Airbags | 26.5 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 15 | 55 | 9 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 27 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 30 | 144 | 11 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 142 | 19 | 6 | 2 | Engine | 26 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Good | 40 | 180 | 10 | 4 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 638 | 24 | 4 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 33 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 90 | 380 | 27 | 6 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 95 | 351 | 23 | 3 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 70 | 270 | 18 | 2 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 230 | 29 | 6 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 185 | 17 | 3 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 28.5 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 85 | 222 | 16 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 29 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 75 | 205 | 8 | 0 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 65 | 131 | 14 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 25 | 81 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Steering | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 20 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 33.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 35 | 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
The 2013 Sentra ranks worst of all 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 638 complaints. Transmission and powertrain problems made up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Engine complaints followed at 21%, failing around 51,000 miles. Owners also reported brake problems near 21,000 miles and airbag issues around 16,050 miles. NHTSA logged six recall campaigns for this year, including airbag inflator and seat belt bracket issues affecting multiple Sentra model years.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →
2015 Nissan Sentra Index 95 · 351 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 Sentra has a complaint index of 95 and 351 complaints, the second-worst year for the model. Transmission and powertrain problems dominated at 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,500. Engine issues followed at 29%, failing earlier, around 55,500 miles. Airbag complaints occurred near 17,000 miles. Three recall campaigns apply to this year, including seat belt bracket reinforcement and door structure inspection.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 airbags problems →
2014 Nissan Sentra Index 90 · 380 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2014 Sentra carries a complaint index of 90 and 380 complaints, ranking third worst. Transmission and powertrain trouble accounted for 48% of complaints, with failures reported at a median of 82,000 miles. Engine issues made up 23%, failing around 74,272 miles. Airbag and brake complaints followed, with brakes failing much earlier, around 16,575 miles. Three recall campaigns target this year, covering airbag inflators and seat belt brackets.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 airbags problems →
2019 Nissan Sentra Index 85 · 222 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2019 Sentra posts a complaint index of 85 with 222 complaints. Electrical system issues led at 39%, failing at a median of 36,000 miles, followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 24%, failing around 62,000 miles. Brake complaints occurred notably early, at a median of 10,570 miles. Two recall campaigns cover this year, including a brake light switch defect and a back-up camera software update.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 brakes problems →
2017 Nissan Sentra Index 80 · 230 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2017 Sentra has a complaint index of 80 and 230 complaints. Transmission and powertrain issues led at 33%, failing at a median of 60,000 miles, followed closely by engine complaints at 30%, failing around 36,596 miles. Electrical system problems made up 20% of complaints, with brake issues rounding out the list. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including a brake light switch defect and an airbag inflator recall.
2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →
2020 Nissan Sentra Index 75 · 205 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2020 Sentra has a complaint index of 75 with 205 complaints. Collision avoidance and camera problems were most common at 34%, failing at a median of 12,500 miles, followed by steering issues at 27%, failing around 50,000 miles. Electrical and brake problems both showed a median failure mileage of 5,010 miles. Four recall campaigns apply, including a rearview camera harness issue and a tie rod bending defect.
2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2020 steering problems →2020 electrical system problems →
Most common Nissan Sentra problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,164 (30%)
- Engine920 (24%)
- Electrical System633 (16%)
- Other549 (14%)
- Brakes509 (13%)
- Airbags500 (13%)
- Steering289 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires215 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras209 (5%)
- Fuel System197 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Nissan Sentra should I avoid?
- Avoid 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. The 2013 model is worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 638 complaints, dominated by transmission and powertrain failures.
- What is the best year for the Nissan Sentra?
- 2023 and 2024 are the best years based on NHTSA data, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 and only 20 and 40 complaints respectively.
- Does the Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
- Yes. Transmission and powertrain issues account for 30% of all Sentra complaints across 2005-2025, and they are the top problem area in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
- Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- The 2019 Sentra is rated Avoid relative to other Sentra years, with a complaint index of 85 and 222 complaints, led by electrical system issues failing at a median of 36,000 miles.
- Are there recalls on the Nissan Sentra?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns across Sentra model years 2005-2025, including airbag inflator, seat belt bracket, brake light switch, and tie rod recalls.