Nissan Sentra 2013–2019 problems by year and mileage
7th generation (B17)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,279 complaints, 1,396 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 638
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2013
- Transmission and driveline311 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Airbag system96 reports · median 16,000 mi
- Brakes95 reports · median 20,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — sensor · Electrical system — software · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 380
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2014
- Transmission and driveline182 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Engine62 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise58 reports · median 76,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags · Air bags — sensor · Electrical system — software
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 56,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 352
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Transmission and driveline173 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Engine69 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise54 reports
Recall areas Air bags — sensor · Latches/locks/linkages
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 270
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Transmission and driveline127 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Engine48 reports
- Electrical system45 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Air bags · Electrical system — wiring
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 231
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Transmission and driveline76 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Engine48 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise38 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 185
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Transmission and driveline46 reports
- Brakes38 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise38 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Nissan Sentra
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 223
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Electrical system65 reports
- Transmission and driveline54 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise46 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2014; earliest: the 2019, and the 2014 is 5 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 56,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 110,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,396
- Recalls
- 13
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline42.5% of complaints · median 77,000 mi
- Engine15.6% of complaints · median 54,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise15.0% of complaints · median 46,000 mi
Owners filed 2,279 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra; the transmission and driveline leads with 42.5% of them, and half of the 1,396 that record an odometer reading came by 56,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 19,000 to 85,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra last?
On the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra, half of the 1,396 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 56,000 miles and 90% by 110,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
31 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 8 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sentra reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Sentra 2013–2019 · 1,396 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 195 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 8 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 2,000
- 25%
- 19,000
- Median
- 56,000
- 75%
- 85,000
- 90%
- 110,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 195 | 14.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 58 | 4.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 63 | 4.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 37 | 2.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 45 | 3.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 34 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 45 | 3.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 41 | 2.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 61 | 4.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 56 | 4.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 50 | 3.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 49 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 70 | 5.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 59 | 4.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 63 | 4.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 64 | 4.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 56 | 4.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 47 | 3.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 47 | 3.4% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 40 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 42 | 3.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 33 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 36 | 2.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 18 | 1.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 14 | 1.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 11 | 0.8% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 12 | 0.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 8 | 0.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Sentra problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Sentra 2013–2019
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Airbag system264 reportsmedian 22,000middle half 5,000–55,000
- Brakes259 reportsmedian 24,000middle half 5,000–48,000
- Electrical system275 reportsmedian 42,000middle half 15,000–70,000
- Problems owners could not categorise341 reportsmedian 46,000middle half 12,000–71,000
- Throttle and speed control222 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 19,000–75,000
- Engine356 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 18,000–82,000
- Transmission and driveline969 reportsmedian 77,000middle half 51,000–99,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 969 | 42.5% | 77,000 | 51,000–99,000 |
| Engine | 356 | 15.6% | 54,000 | 18,000–82,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 341 | 15.0% | 46,000 | 12,000–71,000 |
| Electrical system | 275 | 12.1% | 42,000 | 15,000–70,000 |
| Airbag system | 264 | 11.6% | 22,000 | 5,000–55,000 |
| Brakes | 259 | 11.4% | 24,000 | 5,000–48,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 222 | 9.7% | 48,000 | 19,000–75,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 93 | 4.1% | 45,000 | 27,000–77,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 78 | 3.4% | 57,000 | 29,000–81,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 69 | 3.0% | 38,000 | 8,000–59,000 |
Known problems with the 2013–2019 Sentra
Transmission (CVT) 2013–2018
JATCO RE0F11A judder, shudder at light throttle, hesitation and premature failure. Valve-body bore wear causes line-pressure leakage and sticking solenoids; P0741 torque-converter-lockup and related judder codes are the signature. Nissan extended the original 5-year / 60,000-mile CVT warranty to 7 years / 84,000 miles for many of these cars.
Engine (1.8L MRA8DE) 2013–2019
Elevated oil consumption and timing-chain noise complaints at higher mileage.
Before you buy a 2013–2019 Sentra: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,396 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission (CVT) on 2013–2018 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine (1.8L MRA8DE) on 2013–2019 cars.
- Years differ here: from 185 to 638 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Sentra problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi53% below | At 90k mi78% below | At 120k mi94% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 51,000–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 18,000–82,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 12,000–71,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 15,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 5,000–55,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 5,000–48,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 19,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Sentra 2013–2019 · 1,396 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 53% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2013–2019 Nissan Sentra recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (6), the electrical system (3), the exterior lighting (1) (why one area can repeat).
Mar 2021 · 2016–2019 · Exterior LightingThe brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Sep 2019 · 2018–2019 · Back Over PreventionThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti…
What can happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners…
Aug 2018 · 2017 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2017 · 2014, 2016–2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Jun 2016 · 2016 · Electrical SystemIf the engine room harness loses connection to the ECU, the vehicle may not start or the engine may stall…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2016, through April 26, 2016. The engine room harness may have a terminal pin too large to maintain a connection with the Engine Control Unit (ECU).
What can happen. If the engine room harness loses connection to the ECU, the vehicle may not start or the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the terminal pin on the engine room harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Jun 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the…
What can happen. If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge.…
Apr 2016 · 2013–2016 · Air BagsIf the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and…
What can happen. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in…
Apr 2016 · 2013–2016 · Air BagsIf the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The…
What can happen. If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began…
Oct 2015 · 2013–2014 · Air BagsIf the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected…
What can happen. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Jul 2015 · 2015 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA door that does not fully latch may result in the door opening while the car is moving.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured June 9, 2015, to June 10, 2015, and 2015 Nissan Sentra and Versa Note vehicles manufactured June 5, 2015, to June 13, 2015. In the affected vehicles…
What can happen. A door that does not fully latch may result in the door opening while the car is moving. The distraction may increase the risk of a crash and/or a vehicle occupant may fall out of the vehicle if they…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the date, lot number, and cavity code on the left front and rear door latches, and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on…
Mar 2014 · 2013–2014 · Electrical SystemIf the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant…
What can happen. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted)…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 2013 · 2013 · Air BagsIf the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed…
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction…
What can happen. If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at…
Mar 2013 · 2013 · Fuel System, GasolineA gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Sentra vehicles manufactured from September 11, 2012, through October 4, 2012. Some fuel tank assemblies were not properly sealed during the manufacturing process. As a result, a small amount of gasoline may leak…
What can happen. A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,279 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 154 (6.8%)
- Fires
- 25
- Injury reports
- 96
- Fatality reports
- 2
Sentra problems by model year
The 2013 drew the most complaints of this generation, 638, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2018 the fewest, 185. A typical year drew about 270.
That makes the 2013 stand out at roughly 2.4 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 638 | 495 | 61,000 | Transmission and driveline (311) | 6 |
| 2014 | 380 | 253 | 67,000 | Transmission and driveline (182) | 5 |
| 2015 | 352 | 212 | 56,000† | Transmission and driveline (173) | 3 |
| 2016 | 270 | 146 | 60,000† | Transmission and driveline (127) | 6 |
| 2017 | 231 | 104 | 44,000† | Transmission and driveline (76) | 3 |
| 2018 | 185 | 96 | 40,000† | Transmission and driveline (46) | 2 |
| 2019 | 223 | 90 | 34,000† | Electrical system (65) | 2 |
What Sentra owners reported
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone and DTC: C1116 “Stop Lamp Switch" was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact…
2016 · 130,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start one day after several attempts and was accompanied by the AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) sensor and check engine warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery and brake light switch…
2018 · 75,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and the steering wheel turned independently. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into an apartment complex wall. The…
2015 · 59,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign…
2013 · 16,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 1,396 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Sentra generations
- Sentra 2000–2006 898 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Sentra 2007–2012 641 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Sentra 2020–2025 101 reports with mileage, most about the steering