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U.S. public vehicle records

2013 Nissan SENTRA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

638 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

61,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 495 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 308 of 638 complaints (48.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting33151.9%
Braking behavior11317.7%
Engine operation7511.8%
Electrical and battery issues203.1%
Steering behavior162.5%
Fuel system concerns152.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
308
Air Bags
96
Service Brakes
95
Engine
87
Unknown Or Other
64
Vehicle Speed Control
51
Electrical System
41
Fuel/Propulsion System
33
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train308
Air Bags96
Service Brakes95
Engine87
Unknown Or Other64
Vehicle Speed Control51
Electrical System41
Fuel/Propulsion System33

Power Train: 308; Air Bags: 96; Service Brakes: 95; Engine: 87; Unknown Or Other: 64; Vehicle Speed Control: 51; Electrical System: 41; Fuel/Propulsion System: 33

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
145
25,000 to 49,999
60
50,000 to 74,999
122
75,000 to 99,999
98
100,000 to 149,999
63
150,000 and above
7
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000145
25,000 to 49,99960
50,000 to 74,999122
75,000 to 99,99998
100,000 to 149,99963
150,000 and above7

Under 25,000: 145; 25,000 to 49,999: 60; 50,000 to 74,999: 122; 75,000 to 99,999: 98; 100,000 to 149,999: 63; 150,000 and above: 7

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (145). 143 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
1
2013
43
2014
52
2015
54
2016
44
2017
63
2018
115
2019
107
2020
50
2021
33
2022
26
2023
25
2024
12
2025
8
2026
5
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20121
201343
201452
201554
201644
201763
2018115
2019107
202050
202133
202226
202325
202412
20258
20265

2012: 1; 2013: 43; 2014: 52; 2015: 54; 2016: 44; 2017: 63; 2018: 115; 2019: 107; 2020: 50; 2021: 33; 2022: 26; 2023: 25; 2024: 12; 2025: 8; 2026: 5

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 331 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 113 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 75 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10519885 · 2013-06-14 (June 14, 2013)

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP ON THE SAFETY COMPLAINT I PREVIOUSLY FILED ON 6/2/2013, WHEN MY SENTRA 2013 SUDDENLY HAD BIG GRINDING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL DECELERATING THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, THE DEALER DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRMED THE REAR BRAKE BROKE APART INSIDE THE REAR BRAKE DRUM DAMAGED BRAKE SHOE, BRAKE SELF-ADJUSTED ASSEMBLY, ANTI-SHOE RATTLE CLIP AND PIN. THOUGH NISSAN COVERED THE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND TOWING COST, IT STILL COST ME ONE DAY OFF WORK AND THE CAR HAD TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,289 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519885 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10524133 · 2013-07-10 (July 10, 2013)

FUNNY, I HAVE HAD MY 2013 SENTRA TO FALHABER NISSAN 6 TIMES FOR THIS SAME BRAKE ISSUE, AIR BAG (THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT), AND THE A-PILLAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE KEEPS COMING LOOSE. TO DATE I STILL HAVE THE GRINDING NOISE AND BRAKE ISSUE ALONG WITH THE A-PILLAR COMING LOOSE WHICH THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED BEHIND. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS IN MY TRUNK, MY LICENSE PLATE VIBRATING AND EVEN STATED TO ME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR, WHY LIE TO ME? FIX THE PROBLEM OR RETURN MY MONEY IS HOW I FEEL. MY SAFETY AND OTHERS WITH M…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,309 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524133 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10503511 · 2013-03-18 (March 18, 2013)

THE PASSENGERS SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING AND WILL NOT ACTIVATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE AND THE GUY TOLD ME THAT MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS TOO SKINNY AND MAYBE THE SENSOR DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY SITTING IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN A CAR ACCIDENT IT WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK. THE CAR ALSO HAVE AN ANNOYING NOISE EACH TIME I HIT THE BREAKS IN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. IT HAVE BEEN 3 MONTHS AND 3 SERVICE VISITS AND SEVERAL CALLS TO SERVICE, DIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503511 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10509846 · 2013-04-29 (April 29, 2013)

EXTREMELY LOUD INCREASING GRINDING REAR DRUMS BRAKES NOISE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE LOCAL SALE DISTRIBUTOR DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR THAT YET. THERE MAY BE A DEATH RISK CONCERN BECAUSE ARE THE BRAKES OF THE CAR ........... *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509846 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482802 · 2012-10-31 (October 31, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 419 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 419 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482802 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10503044 · 2013-03-14 (March 14, 2013)

TOOK OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR STALLED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND IT RAN FINE. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME, BUT THE OTHERS WERE WHEN IT WAS PRETTY COLD OUTSIDE AND I DEEMED THAT THE REASON FOR THE STALL. NOW I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING MORE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503044 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10592434 · 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V138000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSORS THAT WERE LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592434 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10593501 · 2014-05-22 (May 22, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V138000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY DID NOT RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,918. UPDATED 08/28/14*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 18,918 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593501 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10574908 · 2014-03-26 (March 26, 2014)

I HAVE NEW NISSAN SENTRA 2013 SV WITH AUTOMATIC CVT; PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2013 . MY SENTRA JUST STARTED MAKING A INTERMITTENT LOUD WHINNING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID THE LOUD WHINNING NOISE WAS FROM THE ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IT WAS NORMAL. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL NOISE FROM A ELECTRONIC STEERING? I NEVER HEARD THE LOAD WHINNING NOISE UNTIL 22 MARCH 2014. NOISE CAN BE HEARD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 71 MIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 71 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574908 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10595046 · 2014-05-30 (May 30, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME HARD AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO …

Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595046 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10555342 · 2013-12-09 (December 9, 2013)

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL. TWO MONTHS LATER I REALIZED THAT WHEN IN DRIVE WHEN I SET MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I WOULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I WOULD PUT IT IN REVERSE THE NOISE WOULD NOT OCCUR. IT WAS ALWAYS WHEN I WOULD HIT THE BREAKS UNTIL THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WOULD NOT MAKE THE NOISE WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS SUDDENLY. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR THEM I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FLUID PROBLEM. AFTER 2 WEEKS THE NOISE BEGAN AGAIN, NOW IT HAS STOPPED AND GOES ON AND OFF. ALSO I HAVE NOT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10555342 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10563776 · 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FROM FOGGING UP OR ICING UP WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH HEAT TO BLOW ON THE WINDSHIELD TO KEEP IT CLEAR DURING DRIVING, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY TO BE OBSTRUCTED AND MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD. DUE TO THE FACT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEATED AIR BLOWING ON THE WINDSHIELD, A LARGE SECTION OF THE CORNERS (ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE) BECOMES COATED WITH FOG OR ICE, OBSCURING VIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563776 at NHTSA ↗