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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Nissan Sentra electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Nissan Sentra have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 42,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Sentra | 34 |
| 2014 Sentra | 23 |
| 2015 Sentra | 17 |
| 2016 Sentra | 33 |
| 2017 Sentra (this page) | 27 |
| 2018 Sentra | 31 |
| 2019 Sentra | 56 |
| 2020 Sentra | 38 |
| 2021 Sentra | 37 |
1crash
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 27 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active. To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. Please discard previous versions of NTB23-018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Sentra electrical system shows a pattern of intermittent failures that span ignition, braking, and power delivery. The most common complaint is the push-to-start button failing to engage the engine; owners report needing 3–4 attempts over 5 minutes, with the dashboard cycling through warning messages, radio, and lights before the car finally turns over. Some say it takes up to two hours for the system to respond, and the issue persists despite key fob reprogramming and battery replacement.
The brake pedal sensor is equally problematic. Owners press the brake and press the start button correctly, but nothing happens. The brake light may stay on permanently, or the sensor responds only if the owner pumps the pedal, opens the door, or presses with unusual force. This creates a safety trap: owners get stranded unable to start the vehicle, and in one case, someone nearly got rear-ended because the brake lights didn't come on.
Critical is the complete loss of electrical power while driving. At highway speeds, the engine cuts out, the dashboard goes black, and power steering locks. The car restarts after a minute, but those moments are terrifying—one owner lost steering control on an empty road and was lucky. One vehicle caught fire while parked; an independent mechanic confirmed an electrical defect caused total loss. Another owner reports smell and smoke from the back seat. Some owners describe warning lights cycling erratically (Check Engine, ABS, Traction Control, Tire Pressure) alongside these failures.
Nissan has issued recalls and technical service bulletins, but owners report difficulty scheduling appointments and dealerships claiming they cannot fix the problem.
Same Nissan Sentra electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Push-to-Start/Ignition Switch Intermittent Failure
The automatic push-button start system fails intermittently, requiring multiple attempts and several minutes to start the vehicle. Owners report the dashboard cycles through warning lights ('Press the Brake Pedal and Press the Start Button'), radio, and illumination before eventually starting. Some describe it as taking 2+ hours for the system to respond.
When: While vehicle is parked and off; first reported 11/26/19 in narrative #1
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start on first or second attempt; Requires 3-4 attempts and 5 minutes of cycling to start; Dashboard cycles through warning messages and radio on/off; Brake pedal and start button are pressed correctly but no response initially; Eventually starts with no problem after several tries
Codes mentioned: Intermittent ignition switch failure
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives indicate Nissan dealership recalls and TSBs mentioned but not specified; one owner reports attempted brake light switch replacement; issue persists post-repair in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 21v-135 mentioned; TSB available for some model years but reportedly only covers Sentras up to 2016; some owners directed to dealerships (O'Neil Nissan mentioned in #3)
Brake Pedal Sensor/Switch Defect
The brake pedal sensor intermittently fails to detect brake pedal depression, preventing the car from starting even when the brake is clearly pressed. The brake light may stay illuminated, or the sensor may require pumping or alternative positioning (door open) to register. This creates a safety hazard for owners unable to start the vehicle in emergencies.
When: Recurring intermittently over vehicle ownership; narrative #4 reports failure 6 months prior to filing
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights not coming on; Car will not start despite brake pedal being pressed firmly; Brake pedal goes completely to floor sometimes, does not activate other times; Brake light switch stays on permanently; Pumping brake pedal sometimes resets the light so car will start; Door open and pedal pressed sometimes allows car to start; Issue resolves on its own sometimes with no problem at all
Codes mentioned: Brake pedal sensor defect, Brake light switch failure
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #4 reports brake light switch replacement already performed once; narrative #18 reports switch replaced twice; costs not cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety recall mentioned in narratives #4, #18, #19, #21; narrative #4 states dealership refused to perform recall repair; narrative #6 reports inability to schedule appointment for 'lamp switch recall'; narrative #19 notes similar issues in other vehicles being recalled but #19 has not received recall
Vehicle Shuts Off While Driving—Complete Power Loss
The vehicle abruptly shuts off while driving at highway speeds with no warning. The instrument panel goes dark, engine dies, all electrical systems shut down. The vehicle typically restarts after a few moments, though steering becomes locked and the driver loses power assist. This is a critical safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds.
When: Narrative #7 reports incident at unspecified mileage with 30k service scheduled next day; narrative #8 reports incident while driving home after work; narrative #16 reports 4 incidents in one day
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off abruptly without warning while driving; Instrument panel goes dark; All dashboard lights extinguish; Power steering locks up, steering wheel becomes immovable; Unable to accelerate but able to brake; Headlights turn off, all warning lights come on, then all lights go off and headlights return; Vehicle restarts after a minute or so and continues normally; Radio and dash lights flicker off and on
Codes mentioned: Central Processing Unit defect (mentioned in narrative #3), Control Unit IPDM, Engine Room (mentioned in narrative #5)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #5 reports IPDM Control Unit replaced in January 2023, but failure recurred during highway driving; narrative #7 reports Nissan dealer found 'nothing is wrong' after 30k service despite incident day before
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #7 notes TSB only covers Nissans up to 2016, not 2017; narrative #5 involved full Control Unit replacement under warranty
Electrical Fire
The vehicle caught fire while parked, resulting in total loss. An independent mechanic determined the cause was an electrical defect. Fire and police reports were filed; no injuries occurred. The failure happened at approximately 70,000 miles.
When: At approximately 70,000 miles; occurred while vehicle was parked
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle caught fire while parked
Codes mentioned: Electrical defect (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss; independent mechanic diagnosed electrical defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer had not been notified at time of complaint filing
Smoke/Burn Smell from Interior
Smoke and ash smell coming from back seat driver-side behind headrest while vehicle is parked. This suggests smoldering electrical or material issue.
When: Vehicle parked in front of residence
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible in back seat area driver-side; Ash smell and burn odor
Warning Light Cycling and Check Engine/ABS Illumination
Multiple warning lights cycle on and off erratically, including Check Engine, ABS, Traction Control, Tire Pressure, and PS (Power Steering) indicators. These often accompany starting issues or occur during driving.
When: Intermittent throughout vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light illuminates; Tire Pressure Warning indicator illuminates; ABS and Traction Control lights remain on; Power Steering (PS) warning light comes on during driving; All warning lights go off without reason; Odometer/odograph fail while warning lights malfunction
Codes mentioned: P0000 range codes (inferred from Check Engine light)
Immobilizer/Anti-Theft System Malfunction
The Nissan immobilizer anti-theft system locks the owner out of the vehicle intermittently, unable to distinguish between false and real theft detection. Battery drain from constant blinking lights can occur while the vehicle is locked. Resolution requires paying Nissan to unlock the system.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Owner locked out of vehicle intermittently; Battery dies due to lights blinking for hours; Immobilizer cannot distinguish false theft from real theft
Codes mentioned: Immobilizer system error
Repairs/costs cited: Requires Nissan intervention to unlock; cost not specified
Delayed or No Brake Response
When brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle does not come to a complete stop, or the car appears to shut off and restart during braking. One narrative describes the brake not moving the car initially but then 'catching' and engaging after a delay.
When: During driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not come to complete stop when brake pedal is depressed; Brake pedal depression does not move vehicle initially, then 'catches' and begins driving; Vehicle appears to shut off and restart while braking
Codes mentioned: Central Processing Unit defect
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #3 mentions defect diagnosed as CPU-related; vehicle was not repaired (owner had it towed to O'Neil Nissan but repair status unknown)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #3 states manufacturer notified owner to tow to O'Neil Nissan; vehicle not repaired per narrative
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I had turned my car on after work and i had a light turn on my dashboard marking “PS” indicating there was an issue with the power steering. I turned off my car and turned it back on the light went away so i began driving home. As I was driving the same light turned on and the car shut off but was still going, I was unable to accelerate but i was able to brake. The steering wheel was locked and…
When in a stationary position and off the car's automatic start will not start the car even when pressing on the brake petal and pressing the automatic start button. The car will cycle through the electronic warning on the dashboard to say - press the brake pedal and press the start button. The car will not start. Instead it will cycle through the radio coming on and the dash illuminating and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Nissan sentra. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not come a complete stop. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the defect was related to the central processing unit. The contact stated that the check engine and tire pressure warning indicators illuminated. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle shut off without…
The manufacturer installed anti-theft measures that became broken. Nissan’s “immobilizer” system can not tell the difference between false theft and real theft. I read many people were locked out of their vehicles because the only way to unlock the anti theft system is by paying Nissan. Now I’m unable to drive my car sometimes because it may locked me or my battery dies due to the lightning…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 Nissan Sentra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Nissan/Sentra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.