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: electrical system
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2004
2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S: PURCHASED NEW ON 3/13/2004. MILEAGE 2060 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, BROUGHT TO DEALER, ECM REPROGRAMMED, DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING STILL PERSISTS, VEHICLE SHUT OFF ONCE WHILE REFUELING. MILEAGE, APPROX. 4725 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO "NO HARD CODE IS STORED." ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING PERSISTS. VEHICLE SHUT OFF SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. BEGAN LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS IN NEW JERSEY. MILEAGE, 5370 - MYRTLE BEACH, SC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. CAR IS BUCKING IN 1ST GEAR (AUTOMATIC), "MAPP" GAS OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL (POSSIBLY EXCESS SULFUR) COMING FROM EXHAUST. ERROR CODE P0171/P0174, AIR FLOW METER REPLACED WITH NO FURTHER FAILURES. MILEAGE, 5637 - CHARLOTTE, NC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE NOW BUCKS AT HIGH SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN LETTING UP ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER PROLONGED HIGHWAY DRIVING, VERY ERRATIC IDLE, AT TIMES ALMOST REACHING 0 RPMS WHILE PARKED. DEALER RESET ECM, COULD NOT DETECT ANY FAILURES. ARRANGED TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP BUT FINALLY FUEL PUMP WAS NOT CHANGED. VEHICLE DRIVEN BACK TO NEW JERSEY WITH SAME FAILURES AS LISTED ABOVE. SINCE CHARLOTTE, NC SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO TIMES, AND HAS GONE AWAY JUST AS FAST. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO KEEP MY ONLY CAR (AND NEW CAR) IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, SINCE THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL. MY RECOMMENDATION: WANT TO STAY ALIVE, STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CARS AND TRUCKS. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2004
PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON 3/15/04 AT 495 MILES ON THE COMPUTER DIED - LOST ENGINE POWER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY AND I ACCEPTED DELIVERY OF REPAIRED VEHICLE ON 3/19/04. ON 3/31/04 AT 720 MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MADE IT TO DEALER - WAS TOLD 'NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME' AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, CONSTANTLY LOSING POWER IN TRAFFIC - THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT AWAY, OR LEAVE IT THERE AND WALK HOME (10 MILES)... *JB
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2004
THE KEYLESS REMOTE DOES NOT WORK UNLESS THEY TAKE OUT A FUSE BECAUSE OF A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - THAT PARTICULAR FUSE CONTROLED THE LIGHTS IN THE VANITY MIRROW - THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO ORDER A PART TO FIX IT - AND THAT ALL 2004 MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE! MAYBE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM - WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALERSHIP. *JB