2017 Nissan Sentra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Nissan Sentra has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, with 230 complaints, 3 recalls, and an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 33% of complaints, followed by Engine at 30%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Sentra years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 230
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 29
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 26.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2017 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain76 (33%)
- Engine69 (30%)
- Electrical System46 (20%)
- Other37 (16%)
- Brakes27 (12%)
- Airbags26 (11%)
- Steering14 (6%)
- Structure & Body10 (4%)
- Fuel System7 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel reportedly seized or locked up suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes with RPM increases and loss of control.
- Owners describe cruise control or acceleration behaving erratically, with unintended speed increases while driving on the highway.
- Front airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed late during frontal or rear-end collisions, worsening injuries.
- Electrical fires reported near the back seat and headrest area, including smoke and burning smells while the vehicle was parked.
- Front bumpers reportedly detached easily after minor low-speed impacts, raising concerns about structural durability.
2017 Nissan Sentra recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V135000Mar 3, 2021Electrical System807,376 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Risk: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
- NHTSA 18V551000Aug 21, 2018Electrical System153,047 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- NHTSA 17V253000Apr 13, 2017Airbags30,038 vehicles
Air bags
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2017 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2017 compared with other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Sentra a complaint index of 80 out of 21 model years, ranking 5th worst overall, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sentra years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 33% of all reports for this year, the largest problem area, followed by Engine issues at 30%.
- Does the 2017 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Sentra covering the Electrical System (brake light switch and ignition switch) and Airbags (Takata front passenger inflator).
- How does the 2017 Sentra compare to other Sentra model years?
- The 2017 Sentra's complaint index of 80 is higher than most other years; only 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 also carry an Avoid verdict, while 2023 and 2024 rate Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
- EPA rates the 2017 Sentra at 28.5 mpg combined (26.5 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.