VehicleVerdict

2009 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Nissan Sentra sits mid-pack among Sentra years: 81 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 156, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 23 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (15), steering (11), and brakes (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

81

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

23

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1519%
Steering1114%
Brakes1012%
Tires & Wheels79%
Engine67%
Electrical System67%
Body & Structure67%
Suspension56%
Fuel System45%
Transmission34%
Other34%
Latches & Locks22%
Speed Control11%
Seat Belts11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2009 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“SO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY. MY SPEED WAS 40MPH WHEN I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY, AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN ONE OF MY BACK TIRE ON THE RIGHT POP. MY CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE 180 DEGREES TURN. SO I END UP ROLLING MY CAR. LUCKILY THEIR WAS NO ONE COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 4, 2011 · crash

“THE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON DRIVER'S SIDE, KNOCKED BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN I CAME TOO THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT A IRON POLE IN FRONT OF WAL-GREEN'S. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN WHICH THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT AWAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 14, 2014 · crash

“I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 4/15/17 WHEN MY BRAKES ON MY CAR STOP WORKING WE TRIED TO STOP BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T WE EVEN TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARKING GEAR BUT IT STILL KEEP ON GOING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 15, 2017 · crash

“SO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY. MY SPEED WAS 40MPH WHEN I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY, AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN ONE OF MY BACK TIRE ON THE RIGHT POP. MY CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE 180 DEGREES TURN. SO I END UP ROLLING MY CAR. LUCKILY THEIR WAS NO ONE COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 4, 2011 · crash

“THE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON DRIVER'S SIDE, KNOCKED BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN I CAME TOO THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT A IRON POLE IN FRONT OF WAL-GREEN'S. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN WHICH THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT AWAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 14, 2014 · crash

2009 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2009 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 81 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sentra year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (15 complaints), steering (11 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 2009 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.