DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Nissan Sentra steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Nissan Sentra have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Sentra | 16 |
| 2014 Sentra | 9 |
| 2015 Sentra | 6 |
| 2016 Sentra | 5 |
| 2017 Sentra (this page) | 14 |
| 2018 Sentra | 6 |
| 2019 Sentra | 3 |
| 2020 Sentra | 55 |
| 2021 Sentra | 40 |
4crashes
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Fourteen owners of the 2017 Nissan Sentra report a dangerous pattern of steering failures and electrical shutdowns. The most critical issue involves the steering wheel turning independently of driver input—one owner had the steering wheel spin hard right while he was turning left at 45 mph, causing a six-flip rollover with serious injuries. Another driver on a highway at 65 mph reported the steering took over and moved the car between lanes into a guard rail; that owner calls it an electrical steering system that isn't ready.
Multiple owners report the steering column itself loosens at the fastener, making the wheel wobble or unsteady during driving. One mechanic tightened it; it loosened again days later.
Equally concerning, several owners describe sudden complete power loss on highways—engine, power steering, and dashboard all shut down with no warning lights. One owner had this happen at 65-70 mph and again 30 minutes later on the same route; the dealership held the car a week and found nothing. Another reports the car locks steering and brakes simultaneously, then cuts off, with all dash lights illuminating.
Electrical gremlins include a replaced IPDM that failed repeatedly, a battery and alternator replaced back-to-back, and a recurring "no key detected" error that prevents starting. Nissan offered a lump-sum credit or extended warranty when acknowledging the pattern.
Same Nissan Sentra steering reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Position Sensor Malfunction / Uncontrolled Steering
Steering wheel independently turns against driver input, causing loss of directional control. Vehicle steers sharply without driver action.
When: 68,000 miles (Complaint #1); 1,500 km on rental (Complaint #5); during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns to right while driver input is left; Vehicle swerves side to side uncontrollably; Steering wheel becomes difficult to maneuver; Abnormal steering wheel vibration before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #1 mentions steering position sensor failure. Complaint #7 noted loosened steering column linkage to bolt tightened by independent mechanic, then loosened again at 85,000 miles. Complaints #9 and #3 noted dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the issue.
Steering Column Mechanical Looseness
Steering column fasteners loosen, allowing steering wheel to become unsteady and lose rigidity during operation.
When: 85,000 miles (Complaint #7)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column loosens while vehicle parked; Steering wheel becomes loose during driving; Steering wheel unsteady
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #7: Independent mechanic tightened loosened linkage bolt on steering column; loosened again several days later at 85,000 miles. Vehicle towed to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired.
Steering Wheel Vibration and Noise
Steering wheel vibrates abnormally, and static-like noise occurs during right turns. Vibration occurred intermittently before major steering failure.
When: Before 68,000 mile failure (Complaint #1); throughout ownership (Complaints #9, #13)
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive steering wheel vibration; Abnormal rattling noise from steering; Static-like noise when turning right; Vibration stops temporarily then returns
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #1: Vibration stopped after tire rotation, then returned excessively day of crash. Complaints #9 and #13: Dealer technicians noted the noise/vibration but could not diagnose cause.
Complete Power Loss and Engine Shutdown
Vehicle shuts down completely without warning during highway driving, cutting engine, power steering, dashboard, and all electrical systems.
When: At approximately 65-70 mph after 2+ hours driving (Complaint #4, first incident); 30 minutes into highway drive (Complaint #4, second incident); during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning; Power steering becomes unavailable; Dashboard goes dark; No warning lights or error messages before shutdown; Vehicle becomes uncontrollable
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #4: Battery cleaned of corrosion at AutoZone; dealership held car one week, found no errors. Complaint #11: Car cuts off in middle of driving.
Electrical System / Key Detection Failure
Vehicle experiences repeated electrical failures affecting ignition, power steering, dashboard, and brake control. IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) replaced but issue persists.
When: Multiple incidents throughout year (Complaint #8); random occurrence (Complaint #12)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up; All warning lights illuminate; Speedometer fails; Engine cannot be shut off; Key detection error—'WARNING NO KEY DETECTED, SYSTEM ERROR' message; Complete electrical system shutdown; Vehicle will not start when parked
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #8: Nissan replaced IPDM; problem recurred 5-8 times after repair, cause undetected. Complaint #2: Battery and alternator replaced at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #8: Nissan replaced IPDM module but unable to identify root cause. Complaint #2: Nissan offered $1,000 credit or 100,000-mile/8-year extended warranty after acknowledging lemon law concerns.
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power Control
Engine stalls or shuts down at intersections and during driving, leaving driver without engine power and acceleration control. Vehicle barely moves or is completely immobile after restart.
When: 7/31/17 at intersection, then evening after repair (Complaint #2); multiple incidents (Complaint #11)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at intersection; Vehicle comes to complete stop; No ability to control car after stall; Engine turns off without warning; Steering and brakes lock; all lights illuminate; Vehicle will not accelerate above 10 mph after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #2: Battery replaced, then alternator (2-week wait for part). Vehicle towed twice to dealer within same day.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and coasting to the right around a curve, after completing the maneuver, the accelerator was depressed, the cruise control was set at 48 MPH, and the steering wheel was turned to the left but independently turned all the way to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a failure with the…
It will be investigated by my insurance company, but this is what happened. I was taking a leisurely drive on a country road. Not much for shoulders and the trees aren't cut back far enough. I was going straight. The vehicle decided to take a 45 degree turn the right. Into the trees then flipping several times before finally coming to rest. The shoulder strap failed to lock, therefore my upper…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 40,746 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.