Nissan

Sentra

Compact Cars · model years 1984 to 2025

Includes Sentra, Sentra Coupe, Sentra Wagon and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 163 Sentra trims All Nissan cars

The verdict

Best year: 2023. complaints: 20, below this model's typical 43; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2002. complaints: 304, above this model's typical 213; recalls: 10, about 3.3x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Nissan Sentra
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
1984	16Diesel, Gas	30	no data	$2,650	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	10Diesel, Gas	29	no data	$2,400	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	5Diesel, Gas	30	no data	$2,400	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	7Gas	25	no data	$2,700	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	8Gas	25.5	no data	$2,650	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	9Gas	25	no data	$2,700	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	7Gas	27	no data	$2,300	2	39	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 34%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%
complaints: 39, below this model's typical 298 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	6Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	2	63	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 27%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 63, below this model's typical 255 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 10 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	6Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	0	62	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 14%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 255 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 15 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	4Gas	25.5	no data	$2,450	0	58	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 16%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%, SEAT BELTS 10%
complaints: 58, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	4Gas	24.5	no data	$2,550	0	99	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 23%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%
complaints: 99, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 71 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	4Gas	25	no data	$2,500	6	171	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, AIR BAGS 7%
complaints: 171, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	4Gas	25	no data	$2,500	7	236	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 32%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%
complaints: 236, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	5Gas	23	no data	$2,700	10	304	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 35%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, AIR BAGS 8%
complaints: 304, above this model's typical 213 recalls: 10, about 3.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 22 complaints reporting a fire: 6 NHTSA advised parking the 2002 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	5Gas	23	no data	$2,700	7	180	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 37%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, ENGINE 10%
complaints: 180, below this model's typical 213 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2003 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	4Gas	25	no data	$2,500	4	197	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%, AIR BAGS 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 197, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 NHTSA advised parking the 2004 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	4Gas	25	no data	$2,500	5	170	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%, ENGINE 15%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 170, in line with this model's typical 170 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 4 NHTSA advised parking the 2005 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 17 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	25	no data	$2,500	5	116	0	no data	AIR BAGS 20%, ENGINE 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%
complaints: 116, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2006 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	1	154	0	no data	AIR BAGS 19%, STEERING 14%, POWER TRAIN 8%
complaints: 154, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 30 complaints reporting a fire: 10 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	4Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	3	167	0	no data	AIR BAGS 23%, POWER TRAIN 9%, ENGINE 7%
complaints: 167, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	4Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	1	55	0	no data	AIR BAGS 19%, STEERING 14%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%
complaints: 55, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	4Gas	26.5	no data	$2,350	3	144	0	101	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%, ENGINE 17%, AIR BAGS 15%
complaints: 144, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	4Gas	26	no data	$2,400	2	142	0	104	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE 15%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 142, below this model's typical 170 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 60 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 2.2 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	4Gas	26	no data	$2,400	0	180	0	104	POWER TRAIN 26%, ENGINE 15%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%
complaints: 180, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 63 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	33	no data	$1,900	6	638	3	194	POWER TRAIN 36%, AIR BAGS 11%, SERVICE BRAKES 11%
complaints: 638, about 5x this model's typical 128 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 20 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	32	no data	$1,950	5	380	3	186	POWER TRAIN 35%, ENGINE 12%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 380, about 3x this model's typical 128 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 2 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	2Gas	31	no data	$2,025	3	351	0	173	POWER TRAIN 34%, ENGINE 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 351, about 4.1x this model's typical 85 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 23 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 15 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	31	no data	$2,025	6	270	0	188	POWER TRAIN 31%, ENGINE 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 270, about 3.2x this model's typical 85 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	29.5	188	$2,375	3	231	0	177	POWER TRAIN 22%, ENGINE 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 231, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 21 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	4Gas	29.5	159	$2,375	2	185	0	137	POWER TRAIN 16%, SERVICE BRAKES 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 185, above this model's typical 170 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	3Gas	30	130	$2,100	2	222	0	122	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, POWER TRAIN 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%
complaints: 222, about 1.7x this model's typical 128 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 36 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	33	149	$1,900	4	206	0	112	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 20%, STEERING 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 206, about 4.8x this model's typical 43 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 21 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	1Gas	33	149	$1,900	3	132	0	129	STEERING 19%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%
complaints: 132, about 3.1x this model's typical 43 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 17 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Gas	33	149	$1,900	2	81	0	94	STEERING 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 81, about 1.9x this model's typical 43 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Gas	33	149	$1,900	1	20	0	56	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 43 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	34	149	$1,850	3	41	0	22	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, STEERING 14%, POWER TRAIN 13%
complaints: 41, below this model's typical 43 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 66 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	34	no data	$1,950	4	30	0	5	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%, ENGINE 8%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 43 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 30 to 2025: 34

Owner complaints1990: 39 to 2025: 30

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Nissan Sentra to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.