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2005 Nissan SENTRA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

170 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

76,200 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 125 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 170 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns2011.8%
Engine operation158.8%
Braking behavior127.1%
Transmission and shifting74.1%
Electrical and battery issues42.4%
Steering behavior42.4%

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.

Engine
33
Engine And Engine Cooling
26
Air Bags
21
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
Fuel System, Gasoline
17
Fuel/Propulsion System
15
Electrical System
12
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine33
Engine And Engine Cooling26
Air Bags21
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine17
Fuel System, Gasoline17
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Electrical System12
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System6

Engine: 33; Engine And Engine Cooling: 26; Air Bags: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 17; Fuel System, Gasoline: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Electrical System: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
19
25,000 to 49,999
12
50,000 to 74,999
24
75,000 to 99,999
30
100,000 to 149,999
26
150,000 and above
14
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00019
25,000 to 49,99912
50,000 to 74,99924
75,000 to 99,99930
100,000 to 149,99926
150,000 and above14

Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 14

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 45 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.

2005
8
2006
7
2007
13
2008
13
2009
10
2010
19
2011
20
2012
11
2013
11
2014
14
2015
13
2016
12
2017
4
2018
3
2019
4
2020
1
2021
5
2023
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20058
20067
200713
200813
200910
201019
201120
201211
201311
201414
201513
201612
20174
20183
20194
20201
20215
20231
20251

2005: 8; 2006: 7; 2007: 13; 2008: 13; 2009: 10; 2010: 19; 2011: 20; 2012: 11; 2013: 11; 2014: 14; 2015: 13; 2016: 12; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2023: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10110307 · 2005-02-10 (February 10, 2005)

CONCERN: ENGINE LOST ALMOST ALL OF ITS POWER. THE HEAD WAS CRACKED, AND THE #4 CYLINDER WAS MISSING ONE OF THE 2 COMPRESSION RINGS. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER 40 DAYS.*AK CORRECTION: WAITED 30 DAYS FOR PARTS, ENTIRE ENGINE, EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND INTAKE WERE REPLACED. CAR STILL RUNS HORRIBLE, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LIKE TO SHIFT WHEN IT IS COLD. THE CAR OVER HEATED AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110307 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10111863 · 2005-02-20 (February 20, 2005)

WITH REGARD TO ODI# 10110307 MENTIONED ABOVE: I AM A CURRENT OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA, THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT EVEN NHTSA IS FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE WITH REGARD TO THE 1.8L ENGINE AND/OR ASSEMBLY PLANTS IN MEXICO THAT PRODUCE THESE UNITS. I HAVE FOUGHT NISSAN TOOTH AND NAIL OVER THIS, THE LAST TIME I WAS AT THE SALES DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE, AND ACTUALLY ASKED ME TO LEAVE THEIR PROPERTY. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. IN NEW JERSEY WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY, THAT INDIVI…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111863 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10112648 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)

BOUGHT CAR IN OCTOBER 2004, AND BY DECEMBER WAS CONTINUALLY HEARING A LOUD, CREAKING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER ANY KIND OF IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. WHEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, PROBLEM BLAMED ON FACTORY BLOWN STRUTS. WAITED A MONTH FOR THE PART (BECAUSE IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER) AND PART WAS FINALLY REPLACED. WITHIN THREE DAYS, THE SAME SOUND COULD BE HEARD. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ORDERED MORE STRUTS. A MONTH LATER (NOW MARCH 1ST) WHEN PICKED UP THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DAY AFTER REPLACING THE STRUT SAME SOUND WAS…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112648 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10118949 · 2005-06-03 (June 3, 2005)

THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON (APRIL 13, 2005). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A REPLACEMENT PART WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 15, 2005, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH ON APRIL 16, 2005, SMOKE FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE GAS STATION OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MECHANIC EXTING…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118949 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10130733 · 2005-07-31 (July 31, 2005)

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON, AFTER MULTIPLE SERVICE VISITS WITH MULTIPLE MIS FIRES IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE VERY HARD AND RAPIDLY. THERE WERE NO ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON A GEAR WITH THE R.P.M. REFERRING ON HIGH FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, ALSO WHEN GOING FROM BRAKE TO GAS OR VICE VERSA IT WILL STALL THEN ACCELERATE. ALL THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAPPENING WITHIN A 6 MONTH. PERIOD OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. VEHICLE RECENTLY SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130733 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10131559 · 2005-08-04 (August 4, 2005)

OUR 2005 NISSAN SENTRA WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND A CHARGE IN THE FRONT SEAT BELT WENT OFF LOCKING THEM AND REQUIRING THAT THEY BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD 7/25 THAT THERE WILL BE NO BELTS AVAILABLE IN THIS COUNTRY UNTIL 8/19-25. I HAVE TALKED TO BOTH THE DEALER AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. NISSAN SAYS THEIR ONLY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REPLACE THE BELTS WHEN THEY CAN GET THEM. I AM GOING TO BE FORCED TO EITHER PARK THE CAR OR DRIVE WITHOUT SEAT BELT BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT PROVIDE THEM. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10131559 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10138249 · 2005-09-30 (September 30, 2005)

DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BRAKES FAILED. . WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. APPLIED THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. CALLER SAID THE LAST TIME HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED ANDVEHICLE SKIDDED AND THAT WAS WHEN HE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. CALLER'S CHILD WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED. THE CALLER SAID AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. DEALER REPAIRED THE DAMAGE DONE IN ACCIDENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHY BRAKES FAILED. MANUFACTURER…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10138249 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10145637 · 2005-12-19 (December 19, 2005)

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGHLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE IGNITION COIL. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK THREE DAYS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGHLY. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . THE DEALER NOTED ON THE CONTACT'S INVOICE THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO CYLINDER NUMBER THREE MISFI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145637 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V269000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

Reported: 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR HOSE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FORMED CORRECTLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH A FULL FUEL TANK, FUEL MAY FLOW INTO THE VAPOR HOSE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A VAPOR CANISTER.

Consequence: THE VAPOR CANISTER COULD BECOME FULL, AND EXCESS FUEL COULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VAPOR HOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF A POOR SEAL EXISTS. IF A POOR SEAL IS IDENTIFIED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2007-11-14 (November 14, 2007)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V287000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2015-05-15 (May 15, 2015)

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V008000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-09 (January 9, 2020)

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V747000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags

Reported: 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

NHTSA campaign record ↗