Nissan Sentra problems
228 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–70,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
SUV driver hit our sentra from behind while stationary; we were the last car in the line of the right lane of traffic and we were at a dead stop. We were hit very hard from behind and we slammed into the SUV in front of us. Driver and passenger airbags did not deploy for either…
The fabric drivers side seat belt is frayed. At least 1/2 of the width of the fabric is not intact. The warranty on the seat belt is 120 months and the dealer said it is not covered by the warranty. No incident has occurred yet, but I am concerned for my safety in the event of…
Car just lost power in highway. Car starts but will barely move as pushing down on gas.
Low beam headlight failed. It is available for inspection. Drove car with only one low beam headlight. Not safe. Yes. Confirmed by independent service center. Had independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection. They advised that my passenger side low beam headlight…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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.
Should you avoid the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
The 2017 Nissan Sentra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–70,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 74 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,015 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,015 miles. 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 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 228 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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 are not always better value.