2005 Nissan Sentra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Nissan Sentra has 170 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 5, and 5 recalls including a Do Not Drive Takata airbag recall. It ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years and carries a Caution verdict because of that recall despite a low complaint index.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Sentra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 170
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2005 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine81 (48%)
- Fuel System37 (22%)
- Airbags21 (12%)
- Electrical System17 (10%)
- Brakes15 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (6%)
- Other9 (5%)
- Structure & Body5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report head gasket failures on the 2.5L engine, in one case around 65,000 miles, sometimes accompanied by smoke filling the cabin.
- Some drivers describe brakes failing to slow the car or locking up unevenly, leading to rear-end or spin-out crashes.
- Multiple owners report front or side airbags failing to deploy in frontal or head-on crashes.
- Other owners report passenger-side airbags deploying with explosive force, rupturing and causing injury, consistent with the Takata inflator recalls.
- One owner reported a driver's seat collapsing onto the rear seat after a rear-end collision, injuring the occupant.
2005 Nissan Sentra recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V747000Dec 1, 2020Airbags3,930 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.
- NHTSA 20V008000Jan 9, 2020Airbags307,962 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
- NHTSA 15V287000May 15, 2015Airbags1,090,569 vehicles
Air bags
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
2005 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- NHTSA lists 170 complaints for the 2005 Sentra with a complaint index of 5, which is low compared to other Sentra years, but the year carries 5 recalls including one Do Not Drive Takata airbag recall.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Nissan Sentra?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 48% of complaints (81 of 170), with a median failure mileage of 76,100 miles.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. Recall 20V747000 covers Takata passenger airbag inflators that were previously inspected but not replaced, and Nissan tells owners not to drive until repaired.
- How does the 2005 Sentra compare to other Sentra years?
- It ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict, while worse years like 2013 (complaint index 100) and 2015 (95) carry Avoid verdicts.
- What fuel economy does the 2005 Nissan Sentra get?
- The EPA rates it at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.