The Nissan Sentra is a compact car that debuted in 1982. It is one of the most famous and beloved vehicles produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan.
The worst years to avoid the Nissan Sentra are 2003, 2004, 2008, 2013, and 2014. The best years to buy the Nissan Sentra are 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. This result was concluded from trustworthy sources such as NHTSA, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and even some Nissan Leaf forums.
Worst Nissan Sentra Years to Avoid
With so many Sentras produced over the years, it’s to be expected that some errors may occur. There have been a plethora of issues with the following Nissan Sentra years, thus we advise against buying one.
- 2003 Nissan Sentra
- 2004 Nissan Sentra
- 2008 Nissan Sentra
- 2013 Nissan Sentra
- 2014 Nissan Sentra
5. 2008 Nissan Sentra (3.28 Rating)
Some 2008 Sentra owners have reported problems with the vehicle’s powertrain and, unexpectedly, the wheels. A small number of 2008 Sentra owners have reported rusty wheels and complete gearbox failure. It has been reported that at the 110,000-mile (177027.84 km) mark, the complete exhaust system has to be replaced.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 3 recalls and 167 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.4/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 79/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.3/5.0 consumer ratings.
4. 2004 Nissan Sentra (3.39 Rating)
Some 2004 Nissan Sentra owners have reported problems starting their vehicles due to ventilation issues. Also, the 2004 model has an intermittent problem with the catalytic converter being located closest to the cylinder head, which causes the throttle body unity failure.
Many 2004 Sentra owners report experiencing a timing chain failure shortly after buying the vehicle, even though this is a typical issue for many other automobiles.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 5 recalls and 194 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.2/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.1/5.0 consumer ratings.
3. 2005 Nissan Sentra (3.27 Rating)
Due to the same blown head gasket issue as the 2004 model, which is more of a concern here, we cannot recommend the 2005 Nissan Sentra.
Hundreds of owners have reported the blown head gasket, which is the number one complaint. Some drivers reported that even after replacing the gasket twice, the problem persisted. The notoriously flawed Takata airbags also had an impact. No matter how low the price is, you should still stay away from it.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 6 recalls and 169 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.2/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.1/5.0 consumer ratings.
2. 2014 Nissan Sentra (2.84 Rating)
With the 2014 Sentra, the story of the malfunctioning CVT transmission continues. Because of its severe gearbox issues, CarComplaints deemed the 2014 Sentra to be the worst model year for Nissan’s small car.
More than 40 owners have expressed their frustration in writing about this issue; many of them had to replace their transmissions, which cost an average of $3,700. Several reports actually stated that the transmission only lasted 100000 miles (160934.4 miles), although it should have lasted 150000–160000 miles (241401.6 km–257495.04 km). Simple to skip.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 5 recalls and 350 complaints.
- Edmunds: 2.7/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 84/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6/5.0 consumer and 3.7/5.0 expert ratings.
1. 2013 Nissan Sentra (2.31 Rating)
Which Nissan Sentra year is the most dependable? Given that the 2013 model year garnered the most complaints, it’s most definitely not that model year. CarComplaints reports that the 2013 Sentra had over 1,000 complaints and six pending recalls. Additionally, it received the “Avoid Like the Plague” disapproval seal.
Unfortunately, Nissan’s little automobile had a terrible time of it. The excessive revving and jerking, which was linked to the faulty CVT transmission that afflicted this generation of Sentras, is one of its main mechanical problems. The CVT transmission’s high failure rate was the subject of the top three complaints for this model year.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 6 recalls and 618 complaints.
- Edmunds: 2.8/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 79/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6/5.0 consumer and 3.8/5.0 expert ratings.
Best Nissan Sentra Years to Buy Used
Our top picks for the safest Nissan Sentra models are as follows:
- 2008 Nissan Sentra
- 2010 Nissan Sentra
- 2018 Nissan Sentra
- 2019 Nissan Sentra
- 2020 Nissan Sentra
- 2021 Nissan Sentra
- 2022 Nissan Sentra
- 2023 Nissan Sentra
- 2024 Nissan Sentra
8. 2019 Nissan Sentra (3.55 Rating)
Compared to other sedans on the market, the 2019 Nissan Sentra is more comfortable, spacious, and elegant. In addition to a wide range of powerful engine options and trim levels, the car boasts great fuel economy. The combination of its user-friendly technology and other technological elements positions it as one of the most innovative mid-sized sedans available.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 175 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.0/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 78/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6/5.0 consumer and 4.0/5.0 expert ratings.
7. 2020 Nissan Sentra (3.55 Rating)
The 2020 model has a potent four-cylinder engine that makes quick work of long-distance travel as well as navigating tight city streets. Drivers can execute the sharp turns necessary for city driving because of its excellent handling. Furthermore, there is sufficient cargo space and the truck can handle huge loads.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 4 recalls and 126 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.5/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 86/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 4.6/5.0 expert ratings.
6. 2018 Nissan Sentra (3.60 Rating)
The expert reviewers praised the high-quality interior design and the big, pleasant, quiet, and roomy seating area for the passengers. The model’s fuel efficiency also makes it easier to drive long distances and traverse highways than competing models. Not to mention, it comes with excellent safety features.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 151 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.3/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 74/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6/5.0 consumer and 4.1/5.0 expert ratings.
5. 2021 Nissan Sentra (3.75 Rating)
The 2021 Nissan Sentra features a potent inline-four engine paired with a continuously variable gearbox. The vehicle isn’t exactly a speed demon, but it’s also not slow either, so drivers are free to enjoy moderate speeds. Finding a car with the perfect balance of affordability and efficiency is no easy feat, but the S trim level achieves it.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 3 recalls and 83 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.5/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 84/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 4.1/5.0 expert ratings.
4. 2010 Nissan Sentra (3.87 Rating)
When it comes to Nissan Sentras, the 2010 model year is among the best due to its ample space, excellent performance, and high level of comfort. With ratings of 26 city mpg and 34 highway mpg, this model’s fuel efficiency is a major selling point.
If you’re interested in purchasing this model, it’s recommended by many reviews and owners to go with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which can provide 140 horsepower.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 3 recalls and 139 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.4/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 79/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.3/5.0 consumer ratings.
3. 2022 Nissan Sentra (4.02 Rating)
When it comes to compact midsize cars, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is praised by experts for being a high-quality, appealing, and feature-packed option. As a compact sedan, Nissan offers the five-seat Sentra, which is front-wheel-drive. An automatic transmission and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower are standard across all trim levels.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 47 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.9/5.0 consumer reviews.
- J.D. Power: 83/100 consumer rating.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 4.1/5.0 expert ratings.
2. 2023 Nissan Sentra (4.23 Rating)
When shopping for a compact and reasonably priced automobile, consider the 2023 Nissan Sentra. In keeping with other vehicles in its class, the Sentra offers plenty of modern safety features at a reasonable price. Even if it doesn’t have particularly impressive performance, the Sentra is still a good pick, particularly if you value security and economy highly.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 4 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 7.3/10 expert reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 4.1/5.0 expert ratings.
1. 2024 Nissan Sentra (4.24 Rating)
The new 2024 Nissan Sentra is an economical option among compact cars, and it doesn’t skimp on style either. Thankfully, it’s more than simply a blueprint, too. As standard equipment, it has numerous useful driver-aid features, like blind-spot warning.
Additional desirable features include a roomy trunk and comfortable seats. To remain competitive with rivals, Nissan has made several improvements to the 2024 Sentra, which slots into the lineup between the larger Altima and the smaller Versa.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 0 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 7.3/10 expert reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.0/5.0 consumer and 4.0/5.0 expert ratings.
Common Nissan Sentra Problems
Despite the Nissan Sentra’s stellar reputation for dependability, the car has had its share of issues over the years. Some of the model’s more common complaints include faulty brakes, strange road noises, and suspension problems.
Problematic Brakes
A large number of 2013 model-year drivers have reported that their vehicles’ brakes do not engage fully. Drivers and passengers alike are at serious risk in this situation.
Strange Noises
Some versions have been known to make very loud noises, including shrieking or howling. People relying on their sense of sight and hearing to drive safely and efficiently may become distracted as a result of this.
Issues with Suspension
When driving in the winter, when traction loss due to suspension problems is a real possibility, this can be a very dangerous situation. People riding in vehicles on slippery roads are putting themselves and others in grave danger.
FAQs
Is the Nissan Sentra a good, reliable car?
According to RepairPal, the Nissan Sentra has above-average dependability ratings. Out of 36 compact car models, it came in at number fourteen with a score of 4.0 out of 5.0.
What is the expected lifespan of a Nissan Sentra?
The estimated lifespan of a Nissan Sentra is between 180,000 miles (289681.92 km) and 300,000 miles (482803.2 km). Still, the vehicle’s lifespan might be drastically cut short due to things like irresponsible driving or problems with the manufacturer.
Brief Wrap Up
It should be easy for you to choose the correct Nissan Sentra model now that you are aware of the best and worst years for the vehicle. Lots of people appreciate this sedan because it makes traveling easy, and the interior is roomy and pleasant, so it’s a good choice for a family of five.
Furthermore, if you are serious about purchasing this vehicle, it is advised that you choose a more recent model, such as the 2023 or 2024 Nissan Sentra, since they tend to have fewer issues and customer complaints.
