YearToAvoid

2009 Nissan Sentra Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

15/100

#18 most-complained of 21 Sentra years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Nissan Sentra shows a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 55 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns for this year.

Complaints
55
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
9 / 0
Injuries / deaths
11 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 31 hwy

Top 2009 Nissan Sentra problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags15 (27%)
  2. Steering11 (20%)
  3. Brakes10 (18%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (18%)
  5. Structure & Body8 (15%)
  6. Electrical System7 (13%)
  7. Engine7 (13%)
  8. Fuel System4 (7%)
  9. Other3 (5%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to respond or stick, sometimes while shifting into reverse or braking on hills, leading to crashes.
  • Airbags have failed to deploy during crashes, including a rollover after a rear tire blew out at 40 mph.
  • One owner reported the front passenger airbag did not disarm with a child seated in the front seat.
  • Steering has reportedly failed intermittently, with power steering warnings and relay clicking that required restarting the car or column replacement.
  • Structural and body damage has been reported as severe in crashes, sometimes paired with no airbag deployment.
2009 Nissan Sentra complaints: complaints filed per month7Nov 2009Apr 2011Oct 2013Sep 2014Sep 2015Jul 2017Dec 2018Apr 2023
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2009 to Jun 2024; peak Nov 2017 (7).

2009 Nissan Sentra recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)

    Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.

    Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2009 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
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.

2009 compared with other Sentra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution55154126.5
2008Good45167326.5
2009Good1555127
2010Good30144326.5
2011Caution50142226

All Nissan Sentra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2009 Sentra a complaint index of 15, the second-lowest among 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Sentra years.
What problems does the 2009 Nissan Sentra have?
Owners most often reported issues with airbags (27% of complaints), steering (20%), and brakes (18%), with a median mileage of 57,000 at failure overall.
Does the 2009 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Sentra, covering an overheating Garmin nuvi 750 navigation unit battery; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2009 Sentra compare to other Sentra years?
With a complaint index of 15, the 2009 Sentra ranks better than years like 2013 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2015 (complaint index 95, Avoid), though its Good verdict is capped due to less complete records for 2005-2009.
What is the top problem area for the 2009 Sentra?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 15 of 55 complaints (27%), including 5 crashes, with a median mileage of 79,000 at failure.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.