Nissan Sentra years to avoid
The Nissan Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1983 is the cleanest year on record.
8,317
Total complaints
62
Recall campaigns
1982–2026
Years covered
20
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Sentra years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 871 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 526 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 501 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 404 | |
| 2002 | High complaints + open investigation | 388 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 360 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 341 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 320 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 309 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 287 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 260 | |
| 2003 | High complaints + open investigation | 240 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 236 | |
| 2004 | High complaints + open investigation | 235 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 233 | |
| 2005 | Open safety investigation | 224 | |
| 1996 | Open safety investigation | 177 | |
| 1995 | Open safety investigation | 158 | |
| 2006 | Open safety investigation | 155 | |
| 1994 | Open safety investigation | 130 |
Every Sentra year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 47 | 4 | |
| 2024 | 59 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 141 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 214 | 3 | |
| 2020avoid | 320 | 4 | |
| 2019avoid | 360 | 2 | |
| 2018avoid | 287 | 2 | |
| 2017avoid | 341 | 3 | |
| 2016avoid | 404 | 6 | |
| 2015avoid | 501 | 3 | |
| 2014avoid | 526 | 5 | |
| 2013avoid | 871 | 6 | |
| 2012avoid | 260 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 201 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 212 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 81 | 1 | |
| 2008avoid | 233 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 215 | 1 | |
| 2006avoid | 155 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 224 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 235 | 5 | |
| 2003avoid | 240 | 10 | |
| 2002avoid | 388 | 14 | |
| 2001avoid | 309 | 8 | |
| 2000avoid | 236 | 7 | |
| 1999 | 74 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 76 | 5 | |
| 1997 | 138 | 7 | |
| 1996avoid | 177 | 7 | |
| 1995avoid | 158 | 7 | |
| 1994avoid | 130 | 0 | |
| 1993 | 89 | 0 | |
| 1992 | 81 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 77 | 2 | |
| 1990 | 45 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 49 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 40 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 46 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 9 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Nissan Sentra years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest year on record is 1983.
What is the best year for the Nissan Sentra?
By complaint volume, 1983 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sentra years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Nissan Sentra have?
Across all model years, the Sentra has 62 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 8,317 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.