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: service brakes
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jul 17, 2017, crash
MY CAR HIT A TRUCK GOING 25-30 MPH. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. MY BREAKS DID NOT STOP ME ON TIME. NEW BREAK PADS WERE JUST REPLACED. THE BREAKS JUST DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. TOOK TOO LONG TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TESTED MY BREAKS ON MY OTHER CAR TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY DIFFERENCE IN STOPPING AND I WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN MY OTHER CAR ON TIME. BREAKS JUST TOOK TO LONG TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE NISSAN.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 4, 2015
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON I494 NEAR A MAJOR INTERCHANGE, IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WHEN MY ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. I QUICKLY CHECKED THE LANE ON MY RIGHT AND IT WAS CLEAR SO I MOVED OVER AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. MY BRAKES AND STEERING WERE GOING QUICKLY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP NEXT TO THE GUARD RAIL. I WAS RIGHT NEXT TO A TWO-LANE EXIT TO I35, WHERE THE TRAFFIC WAS FLYING PAST ME; SEVERAL CARS ALMOST RAN INTO ME, WITH ONE EXTREMELY DISTRACTED DRIVER CROSSING THE LINE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HEADING RIGHT AT ME. IF HE HAD NOT LOOKED UP IN TIME I DOUBT I WOULD BE HERE TO REPORT THIS. I WAS ABLE TO GET A TOW TRUCK, BUT TRAFFIC WAS NOT EVEN SLOWING OR YIELDING FOR THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT WAS TOO AFRAID TO TRY DRIVING IT IN THOSE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE REPAIR SHOP I WENT TO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY O2 SENSOR CAUSED BY A LEAKY FLEX PIPE AND WANTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE PIPE W/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER, GASKETS, O2 SENSOR. AND SPARK PLUGS. SINCE MY CAR WOULD START BUT I DID NOT TRUST IT, I DECIDED TO DRIVE HOME (25 MILES) BY CITY STREETS AND BACK ROADS. ON THE WAY THE ENGINE AGAIN FAILED WHILE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE. AFTER 10 MINUTES IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHO FIXED THE FLEX PIPE. A FEW DAYS LATER THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN AND RESTARTED AFTER ANOTHER HARROWING WAIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS TIME THE CAR GAVE A CODE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WHICH MY MECHANIC REPLACED. SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS NOT QUIT WHILE DRIVING, BUT DOES HESITATE AND I AM AFRAID WHILE DRIVING IT. I MAY HAVE MY MECHANIC REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AS WELL, SINCE THAT IS ALSO A KNOWN ISSUE. I AM SUPPOSED TO MOVE TO CALIFORNIA, BUT DON'T TRUST MY CAR TO MAKE THE TRIP SAFELY.
Service brakes, Dec 26, 2014
ON 24TH OF DEC 2014 WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HWY AT ABOUT 8PM MY BRAKES GOT REALLY HARD THEN I SAW MY BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS NOT A GOOD FEELING THANKS GOD THE STREET LIGHT WAS GREEN CAUSE IF IT WAS RED WE WOULD BE HAVING A DIR CONVO RIGHT NOW, ANYWAY I PULLED IN A PARKING LOT AT MAYBE 15 TO 20 MPH THEN I PUT IT IN PARK PULL UP THE HAND BRAKES AND TURN OFF THE CAR, I STAYED THERE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF THEN I TRIED THE CAR AGAIN IT CAME ON LIKE NOTHING HAPPEN..............AM TELLING U I DON'T WISH THIS ON ANYONE.....WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN 2007 IT SHUT DOWN ON ME I SAID I MAYBE DID SOMETHING I STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT BUT IT NEVER SHUT DOWN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 10, 2014, crash
ON 12/08/14, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH I-85 N. AT ONE POINT I CHANGED A LANE TOWARDS MY LEFT AND NEEDED TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR TO THAT LANE. BUT SURPRISINGLY THE CAR WOULDN'T GOT STRAIGHTENED AND STEERING HAD NO IMPACT/CONTROL OVER THE CAR WHEELS. AS A RESULT MY CAR HIT THE MEDIAN OF THE HWY AND AFTER THAT I WAS STILL TRYING TO PUT IT BACK IN THE LANE. BUT I HAD NO CONTROL ON IT. IT WAS SHAKING AND SPEEDING UP; HIT THE MEDIAN WITH THE LEFT MIDDLE AND AGAIN AFTER TRAVELING A FEW FEET HIT THE MEDIAN WITH REAR LEFT. AT THAT POINT BOTH AIRBAGS POPPED OUT AND CAR CHANGED DIRECTION ( FROM MY DIAGONAL LEFT TO DIAGONAL RIGHT). AND IT TOOK ME TO ALL THE WAY (6 LANE)ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND HIT THE MEDIAN ON THAT SIDE AGAIN WITH THE FRONT RIGHT AND STRAIGHT FRONT. AFTER THAT THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. IT WAS ALL SMOKY AND THE CAR DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN. I SQUEEZED MYSELF OUT THROUGH THE APPROX. SIX INCHES OPENING. I WAS SO SCARED AND STILL SO MUCH DEPRESSED THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT I DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY OR I GOT HIT BY ANY OTHER CAR OR WHEN THE CAR WAS DRAGGING ME TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I DIDN'T GO UNDER ANY TRAILER. MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHY THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND LOST CONTROL OVER THE WHEEL? WHOSE FAULT WAS THIS? AND FINALLY I GOT CITATION FROM DEKALB POLICE FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANES. WHEN I ASKED THE POLICE OFFICER, SHE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO PROVE IT THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL ERROR. THEN THE CITATION WILL BE TAKEN OFF. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE SIGN OR ANYTHING THAT I FELT UNUSUAL. SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND LET ME KNOW SO THAT I FEEL A LITTLE BETTER! *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 28, 2005, crash
CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AT APPROX 30 FT, I PUT ON BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT WORK, PUMPED BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK MISSED REAR OF CAR ,A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME LEFT BRAKE LOCKED WENT LEFT PUT ON BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Dec 25, 2004, crash
BACKING DOWN A HILLY DRIVEWAY IN NEUTRAL BRAKES WENT OUT. THIS LEAD TO RUNNING INTO A GUARD RAIL. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED AFTERWARDS TO STOP THE ROLLING. BRAKES WORKED FINE ON FLAT SURFACE. MINOR NECK INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED WILL CONTACT MAUFACTURER.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Dec 3, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Nov 1, 2004, crash
20 FEET AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND WENT INTO A DITCH AND IMPACTED A SEWER DRAIN. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY BURNED BY THE AIRBAGS WHEN THEY DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE ABOVE FAILURES IS UNDETERMINED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. *AK