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: fuel system
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 21, 2013
VEHICLE WOULD START TO LEAK GAS WHENEVER THE TANK WOULD BE FULL AND PARKED FOR MORE THEN FEW HOURS. THERE ALREADY IS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V269000 ) FOR THE SAME VEHICLE BUT FOR 2005 MODELS. THE FACT THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A HIGHER NUMBER OF CARS THAT ARE ALSO AFFECTED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 17, 2012
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011 I STARTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM FUELING MY CAR. AS SOON AS I BEGIN PUTTING FUEL IN, IT STARTS SPITTING FUEL BACK OUT. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THEN AND JUST YESTERDAY I CHECKED OUT THE CODE AT MY FRIEND'S HOUSE - IT IS INDEED P1446. AFTER MORE INVESTIGATION ON LINE, IT LOOKS LIKE A VENT CONTROL VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE. IT'S DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. AFTER MORE RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM....EVEN ONE THAT CAUSED A FIRE THAT SEVERELY BURNED A MOTHER AND CHILD. I CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS ON SENTRAS ON THE WEBSITE BUT I ONLY GOT 1 RECALL WHICH APPLIES TO 2.5L ENGINE VERSIONS. NO RECALLS WERE LISTED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM A WIDOW WITH THREE CHILDREN AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO MAKE THIS REPAIR. I NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 8, 2012
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN AUG. 2004 IT HAS HAD A LONG CRANK PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY NOW TELL MY THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS LOSING PRESSURE AND I NEED TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP REPAIR KIT INSTALLED ON MY CAR AT A COST OF $550.00 TO ME. I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED THIS REPAIR KIT FOR A LONG CRANK PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT START WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE KEY. THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE TRIED TO GET THEM TO FIX WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Dec 4, 2011
MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO TURN ON THE CAR I HAVE TO TRY 2 OR 3 TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO TURN. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL TURN ON BUT IT WILL NOT, THEREFORE I HAVE TO CONTINUE TURNING THE KEY AND TRY AGAIN. SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR WILL NOT RESPONSE, IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO DO SO. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL RELEASE VALVE CAUSED FUEL TO SPEW OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN REFUELING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VENT CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/12/11 *BF UPDATED 12/13/11
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 5, 2011
FAULTY FUEL PUMP ON 2004 NISSAN SENTRA , NOTED BY NISSAN SINCE THEY ISSUED A TECNICHAL SERVICE BULLITIN AND A REPAIR KIT FOR THE PUMP FOR SALE FOR WELL OVER $200 U.S. BUT FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH LEADS TO POOR FUEL PRESSURE AND HARD TO START CONDITIONS. *TT
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 13, 2011
AFTER DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA FOR AWHILE AND SHUTTING IT OFF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY. IT USUALLY TAKES 2 OR 3 TRIES TO GET IT STARTED. ALSO, IF I TURN OFF ALL THE ACCESSORIES IT DOES START RIGHT UP. *TR
Fuel system, Other, May 17, 2011
AFTER DRIVING MY CAR AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES OR A FEW HOURS, THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL THE SECOND OR THIRD TURN OF THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, WITHIN FIVE MONTHS, THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Mar 15, 2011
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA THAT HAS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON. I WAS UNABLE TO FILL UP MY FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE GAS SPILLED OUT, EVEN THOUGH THE TANK REGISTERS 1/4 TO 1/2 FULL. THE GASOLINE STARTS TO OVERFLOW, THEREFORE I HAVE TO GO SLOWLY WHICH TAKES ME 10-15 MINUTES TO FILL IN THE TANK. ALSO THE ENGINE DOES NOT START UNTIL AFTER MANY CRANKS MOST OF THE TIMES WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 3, 2011
UPON RE-FUELING MY VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE ALWAYS COMES RIGHT BACK OUT. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AS GASOLINE GETS EVERYWHERE AND REQUIRES AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO REFUEL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 15, 2011
THIS 2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S HAS HAD ISSUES WHEN REFUELING ... THE TANK IS HARD TO FILL AS STATION NOZZLES DO NOT PERMIT REFUELING THE ENGINE MAINTENANCE LIGHT IS ON & DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 1446. WHEN FILL IN THE FUEL TANK THE GASOLINE START TO OVERFLOW, THEREFORE I HAVE TO GO SLOWLY WHICH TAKES ME 10-15 MINUTES TO FILL IN THE TANK THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED ON THE NISSAN ENGINE DOES NOT START UNTIL AFTER MANY CRANKS MOST OF THE TIMES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 14, 2010
REFUELING: THIS 2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S HAS HAD ISSUES WHEN REFUELING. THE TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTED THUS LEADING TO A RUSH OF PRESSURE ONCE THE FUEL CAP IS OPENED. THIS RESULTS IN GASOLINE RUSHING UP THROUGH THE FILLER NECK AND SPILLING OUT. IN ADDITION, THE TANK IS HARD TO FILL AS STATION NOZZLES DO NOT PERMIT REFUELING IF THE TANK IS NOT VENTING CORRECTLY WHILE FUELING; THE STATION PUMP AUTOMATICALLY STOPS FUELING. THIS IS A HAZARD AS RAW GASOLINE AND OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENTS DO NOT RELATE. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON "04 SENTRA FUEL TANK" WILL RETURN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THE 2004'S WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE REGARDING THE VENTING OF THE TANK. THE 2005 MODELS WERE RECALLED BUT NISSAN LEFT THE 2004 OWNERS ASIDE; THEY KNOW THE 2004'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2005'S THAT WERE RECALLED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 11, 2010
ENGINE DOES NOT START UNTIL AFTER MANY CRANKS MOST OF THE TIMES. THE ENGINE MAINTENANCE LIGHT IS ON & DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 1446. WHEN FILL IN THE FUEL TANK THE GASOLINE START TO OVERFLOW, THEREFORE I HAVE TO GO SLOWLY WHICH TAKES ME 10-15 MINUTES TO FILL IN THE TANK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC & HE TOLD ME HE HAS TO TRY TO REPLACE THE EVAP VENT CONTROL VALVE & SEE IF THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN READING ON LINE ABOUT IT, IT SEEMS TO ME THERE ARE OTHER CONSUMERS LIKE ME HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 2010
NISSAN SENTRA 2004 MODEL - MANUFACTURER DEFECT - RECALL REQUIRED. DEAR, THIS IS REGARDING MY SENTRA CAR - DOING SERVICE ONLY WITH NISSAN DEALER. TOOK THE CAR 3 TIMES TO DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM - ONLY ON THE 3RD TIME THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. SEEMS THEY NEVER CAME ACROSS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. BRAKE BOOSTER DOES NOT SEND FLUID TO BRAKE -STALLS THE CAR MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY FROM 65/55MILES TO 5 MILES - SUDDENLY COMES SUDDEN HALT IN HIGHWAY. GAVE FULL ACCELERATION, IT DOESN'T MOVE MORE THAN 5 MILES/HR. RETURNED TO CAR DEALER AGAIN. AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. MY SERVICES CHARGES WERE $1,200 - WHICH INCLUDES FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT, BRAKE PADS, ROTORS - AT EARLY STAGE - @39700 MILES. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH NISSAN FOR THE FIRST TIME - I HAD ALTIMA BEFORE. IT IS A TOTAL MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM WORRIED AS MY TEEN AGE DAUGHTER AND WIFE ARE DRIVING THIS CAR. INFORMED NISSAN, THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL/COMMON DEFECT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 17, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA, THE GAS GAUGE IS READING WRONG DESPITE MY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT IT. I HAVE BEEN FEARFUL THAT ONE DAY I WILL RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR FOR THE CAR TO JUST BREAK DOWN. I HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR NISSAN, THIS SEEMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS UNKNOWN SPEEDS OR WHEN SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP. SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEM TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS ABLE TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 29, 2009
2004 NISSAN SENTRA, WHEN FILLING GAS TANK FUEL LEAKS OUT. HAPPEN EVERY TIME YOU PUT GAS IN YOUR CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE VAPOR CANISTER AT AN EXPENSE OF $362, 00. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO REIMBURSEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT NUMBER 6668234. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 05V269000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE), SO THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMED WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,378. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Nov 8, 2009
THERE IS AN ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) RECALL ON NISSAN SENTRAS AND FRONTEIRS 2003-06. WHEN THIS WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW SWIRL CONTROL VALVE, (A VALVE DIRECTLY CONTROLLED BY THE ECM) AT A COST OF $772. SHOULD THE SWIRL VALVE ALSO BEEN PART OF THIS RECALL? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 17, 2009
WHEN FILLING UP, THE GAS TANK OVERFLOWS AND SHOOT OUT GAS EVERYWHERE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 11, 2009
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GAS SURGES OUT OF TANK WHEN FILLING ONTO PEOPLE, EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 7, 2009
I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUELING OF THE CAR, IT STARTED AROUND MAY 2009 AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE MARCH 2008 AND JUST YESTERDAY I CHECKED OUT THE CODE AT ONE OF REPAIR SHOP IT IS INDEED P1446. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 5, 2009
THE LAST FEW TIMES I HAVE TRIED TO PUMP GAS . IT SPILLS OUT OF THE FILL PIPE AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF FUELING. I AM AFRAID OF GOING TO THE GAS STATION AND FILLING THE GAS AS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY FOR ME AND THE CAR BUT ALSO TO THE GAS STATION AND PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY. YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ALSO PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEBISTE WHO ARE FACING SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/SENTRA/3766-2004-SENTRA-1-8S-GAS-SPILLS-OUT-WHEN-PUMPING.HTML. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 24, 2008
NISSAN SENTRAS, 2002-2006, HAVE A PERPETUAL PROBLEM WITH LONG ENGINE CRANKS BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL START AND IS DETAILED IN TSB NUMBER NTB05-052A. THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM IS TO INSTALL PART NUMBERS 22670-8U70C AND 17342-01A00, WHICH IS A FUEL PUMP REPAIR KIT AND FUEL TANK GASKET. THE LONG CRANKS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE STARTER AND POSSIBLE OVERHEATING. WHEN NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED WITH THIS ISSUE, THEY STATED THIS IS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE BECAUSE A RECALL WAS NEVER ANNOUNCED EVEN THOUGH THEY PRODUCED A TSB. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN EVIDENT DESIGN FLAW WHICH PROMPTED A REPAIR KIT BE PRODUCED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. THEY DO NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND PROVIDE A RECALL WHICH IS NEEDED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 15, 2008
UPON RE-FUELING MY VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE COMES RIGHT BACK OUT. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON WITH A CODE OF P1446. IT IS DEFINED AS "EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE (CLOSED)". *TR