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ProblemsByVin File / 2008-NISSAN-SENTRA
2008 · nissan

nissan Sentra problems

2 safety recalls. 167 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
47 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
18 reports · avg $450
severe
powertrain
17 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
15 reports · avg $700
severe
engine
14 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
suspension
14 reports · avg $900
moderate
cruise control
10 reports · avg $600
severe
electrical
9 reports · avg $850
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2008 Sentra · airbags
Driver Air bag sensor light came on. The dealership reset it several times but it continues to come on. We paid the money to have them put the car on the diagnostic system. They are saying after review, the airbag needs to be replaced. It costs $1500 to replace the airbag.…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499567.0
2008 Sentra · tires
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE WERE FAULTY. WENT TO BUY TIRES AT COSTCO TIRE CENTER. TOLD VALVES WERE FAULTY LEADING TO TIRE LIGHT TO STAY ON , ON THE DASHBOARD. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRES UNLESS THE VALVES WERE REPLACED.NISSAN HAS RECALLON OTHER MODELS BUT WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE…
12/27/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441381.0
2008 Sentra · steering
POWER STEERING FAILURE. DROVE CAR AND THEN PARKED. RETURNED TO CAR AND UPON STARTING NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT WAS ON AND HAD NO POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING. (SYSTEM IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) DROVE CAR TO DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING. FOLLOWING DAY,…
12/19/2008 · NHTSA ODI #10252277.0
2008 Sentra · powertrain
WHEN PURCHASING MY USED VEHICLE FROM EL MONTE TOYOTA, NOTICE SENSOR FOR TIRE ON, WAS TOLD BE FIXED, MONTHS LATER LEARN RIM MISSING SENSOR. LIGHT IN CAR ALSO DON'T WORK. DRIVING CAR IMMEDIATELY WAS STALLING OUT SHUTTING OFF WHEN IDOL. TOOK CAR BACK WEEK LATER SINCE WITHIN 30 DAY…
12/17/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10666986.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 08V311000 11/07/2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER

IF THE WARNING LAMP IS IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY AND IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE IS DETECTED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
severe NHTSA 09V431000 03/11/2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS

IF THE WARNING LAMP IS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Nissan Sentra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2008 Nissan Sentra?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 47 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Sentra has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Nissan Sentra?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 167 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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