VehicleVerdict

2008 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 233 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Sentra year — the 2008 model ranks #15 of 45 Sentra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (54), engine (25), and tires & wheels (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

233

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5423%
Engine2511%
Tires & Wheels229%
Brakes219%
Transmission209%
Suspension156%
Steering156%
Electrical System146%
Speed Control136%
Other136%
Fuel System63%
Seats52%
Seat Belts42%
Body & Structure31%
Visibility & Wipers31%

Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09V431000BrakesNovember 3, 2009 · 10,586 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

08V311000BrakesJuly 11, 2008 · 169,202 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MACHINING IRREGULARITY BY THE SUPPLIER, THE INTERNAL SEAL GROOVE IN THE BODY OF SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP IN THE GROOVE CONTACT AREA OF THE SEAL. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. BRAKES MAY HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO FULL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN SERVICED WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BRAKING IN TIME AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I LOOKED UP THE VEHICLE ON A NISSAN RECALL WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT'S ONE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 1, 2016 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A SPOT OF ICE AND HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD TAKING OUT TWO SIGNS AND HEAD ON INTO A TREE. I WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE TRAUMA UNIT AT THE HOSPITAL. I HAD A BROKEN FEMUR, SHATTERED KNEE, BROKEN ANKLE, BROKEN FOOT, LACERATED LIVER, PUNCTURED LUNG AND BROKEN RIBS. MY AIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 14, 2013 · crash

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. BRAKES MAY HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO FULL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN SERVICED WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BRAKING IN TIME AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I LOOKED UP THE VEHICLE ON A NISSAN RECALL WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT'S ONE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 1, 2016 · crash

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. BRAKES MAY HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO FULL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN SERVICED WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BRAKING IN TIME AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I LOOKED UP THE VEHICLE ON A NISSAN RECALL WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT'S ONE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 1, 2016 · crash

“THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE, LAST ONE WAS ONE YEAR AGO. THE AIRBAGS SENSOR CAME ON ALL OF SUDDEN FOR NO REASON AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME A BUNCH OF MONEY JUST TO CHECK IT (NOT TO REPAIR IT, JUST LOOK AT IT FIRST). AFTER THEY CHANGED OUT THE TRANSMISSION IT MAGICALLY FIXED IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 23, 2013

2008 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 233 complaints put the 2008 model at #15 of 45 Sentra years. It is one of the Sentra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (54 complaints), engine (25 complaints), tires & wheels (22 complaints).

Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.