2004 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 197 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 20 involved a crash. 18 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleAug 9, 2022
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 22E066000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedDec 1, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.
Campaign 20V747000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Campaign 20V008000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 15, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Campaign 15V287000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJul 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 06V242000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic, the vehicle was diagnosed computer system failure, causing the vehicle to fail to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V287000 (Air Bags), which was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The dealer notified the manufacturer that the contact had refused to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2025
I have been getting recall notices for over 2 years on my 2004 Sentra concerning airbag replacement. I called the number on the recall mailing and was told on multiple occasions that the car was dangerous to operate. I am a [XXX] and was assured that the Nissan recall team offered a mobile repair service and that my repair was in the range of mobile repair service technicians and that a repair tech could be sent to my location. I agreed to the time line that they suggested. I just requested the exact time and date of the repair work. Nissan agree to the repair service arrangements and I thought that I would have the service work done at my location. As time passed the Nissan agent called multiple times assuring me that when a repair unit was available that it would be dispatched to my location to preform the required service. After 2 full years of delays and failed attempts, I am suddenly told that no mobile service repairs are possible in my location. When I asked why I was told the mobile service could be preformed at my location I was subjected to the agent speaking abusive and hostile attitude. The issue has not been resolved as of this date. So I do want to file a compliant and also make the company aware of this situation. Thank for the opportunity to present my concerns. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Jul 25, 2023
1.) Both driver and passenger airbag replacement replacements. 2.) If I get into a reck then me and my passenger have a chance of death due to the recall on the airbags. 3.) Yes. 4.) No. 5.) Unknown. Every time I schedule to get the recall fixed either the shops don’t have the parts or they don’t have the time to do it.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2023
Went into the dealership to talk about the air bag issue, turns out they fixed the check engine light. Next on the paper it says they found there was no airbag and tried to perform recall, and that they could not perform the recall
Air bags, Jun 29, 2022
No Nissan dealership wants to honor the safety recall on my vehicle due to it being a rebuilt title. I have filed a complaint before in 2020 with NHTSA & the issue has still not been resolved. Unfortunately, this is the only vehicle I own & drive day to day & my life as well as the life of my special needs grandchild is in danger with this recall that no one wants to honor & repair.
Air bags, Mar 2, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL GUARD RAIL. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. *DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A PHOTO. *TR
Air bags, Apr 30, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF QUEENS (93-25 ROCKAWAY BLVD, OZONE PARK, NY 11417, 718-835-8300), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,419.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UPPER TORSO INJURIES, HEAD TRAUMA, AND PELVIC FRACTURES AND DIED DUE TO THE INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. **BF..*BF..*BF *TR
Air bags, Dec 11, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 206,000.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2017
AIRBAG RECALLED
Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN ON. NOW I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WEREN'T MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. HERE I AM THINKING JJJ M SAVE WITH MY AIRBAG THAT NOTHING WOULD REALLY BAD HAPPENED BECAUSE IM DEPENDING ON IT CONE TO FIND OUT IN BETTER OF NOT HAVING ONE.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 13, 2017
IT'S BEEN FALLING APART EVERY YEAR NO MATTER WHAT I DO TO PROTECT IT
Air bags, Jul 29, 2017
I READ NEWS THAT MY CAR MODEL MAY HAVE RECALL OF TAKATA AIRBAG. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN CANADA AND NOW I DRIVE IT IN CALIFORNIA. SO FAR MY CAR VIN NUMBER HAD NOT SHOWN UP IN YOUR VIN CHECKING TOOL. IS IT BECAUSE YOUR TOOL ONLY HAS VUN FOR CARS SOLD IN USA?
Air bags, Jul 17, 2017, crash
WHEN MY CAR HIT A TRUCK GOING 25- 30 MPH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT FULLY. PASSENGER FRONT HIT WINDSHILD. BROOK WINDSHIELD. AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATION FULLY ON DRIVERS SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET. IN MOTION GOING 25-30 MPH
Air bags, Jul 16, 2017
TOOK THIS CAR INTO TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER REGARDING THE TAKATA INFLATOR RECALL, WAS DENIED BOTH TIMES AT BOTH LOCATIONS THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO IT BEING A REBUILT TITLE, WHICH I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM SOMEONE AS IS. SENT AN EMAIL TO NISSAN'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND MY CASE WAS NEVER HANDLED. IVE READ OF THE FATALITIES DUE TO THIS PARTICULAR RECALL AND I FEAR FOR ME AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY. PLEASE HELP.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT MY NISSAN CAR IN CANADA, AND BROUGHT IT TO CALIFORNIA. FROM NISSAN CANADA, I KNOW THERE IS TAKATA RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG. THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM CAN PUT PASSENGER IN LIFE-THREATENING DANGER. HOWEVER, LOCAL NISSAN DEALERS REFUSED TO PERFORM THIS AIRBAG RECALL ON MY NISSAN CAR, AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA DID NOT HELP TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE (I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MEANINGFUL RESPONSE).
Air bags, Oct 15, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN USE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 09/01/15*LJ UPDATED 12/4/2015*JS
Air bags, May 7, 2015
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS RECALLED AND FIXED BY DELAND NISSAN BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG? MEDIA REPORTED A MAN LOST AN EYE AND A WOMAN LOST HER LIFE DUE TO DRIVER AIRBAG, SO WHY HAVE THE DRIVER AIRBAGS NOT BEEN RECALLED ALSO? *TR
Air bags, Apr 29, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V361000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2015
NISSAN RECALLED FOR AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. *TR
Air bags, Feb 8, 2015
I RECEIVED THE NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL 14V-361. CALLED THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE, FUTURE NISSAN OF FOLSOM, CA 4-5 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT. I BROUGHT IN MY CAR AS SCHEDULED BUT WAS TURNED AWAY AFTER WAITED FOR AN HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SAID THAT THEY HAD THE PART FOR MY CAR BUT GAVE IT TO ANOTHER LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPT OF THIS DEALERSHIP HAD MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE MY CAR DEFECTIVE PART GET FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE WASTED A WEEK WAITING TO COME IN TO THIS DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT THINKING THAT THEY WILL DO THE JOB PROPERLY. NOW I WILL HAVE TO SET UP ANOTHER APPT. WITH A DIFFERENT LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT ON HOW THE SERVICE DEPT OF FUTURE NISSAN OF FOLSOM, CA DEALING WITH THIS RECALL FROM ITS NISSAN COMPANY. *JS
Steering, Air bags, Nov 22, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING SUDDENLY (THE CONTACT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY) AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL TWICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 04/01/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 04/29/11
Air bags, Mar 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.