2005 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 13 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
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 coolingNov 14, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION 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. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJun 7, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR HOSE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FORMED CORRECTLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH A FULL FUEL TANK, FUEL MAY FLOW INTO THE VAPOR HOSE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A VAPOR CANISTER.
THE VAPOR CANISTER COULD BECOME FULL, AND EXCESS FUEL COULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VAPOR HOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF A POOR SEAL EXISTS. IF A POOR SEAL IS IDENTIFIED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 05V269000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BANISTER NISSAN OF CHESAPEAKE (LOCATED AT 930 N BATTLEFIELD BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 214-6342) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AND STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. PIIR = Y.
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2016
ENDLESS REPAIRS CONTUING OVER HEADLIGHTS, WHICH KEEP BLOWING OUT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WHERE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ALL BY THEMSELVES STOP CONNECTING SWO THAT THERE IS INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AND OVER. HEADLIGHT BULB HARDLY WORK FOR LONG. THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN - NOT JUST ONE ONE DAY.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2016
FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MPH MY CAR LOSS ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART, LUCKILY IT WAS 5:30AM WHEN THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I FELT THE POWER STARTING TO DWINDLE AND WAS ABLE TO REACH THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INJURY. I'M LEASING THE CAR FROM DRIVETIME OF IRVING AND WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS DEFECT. I FOUND OUT THROUGH MY RESEARCH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE THAT WAS A NOVEMBER 2007 RECALL. I AM AMAZED THAT THESE CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND BEING SOLD WITH NO WARNING. THANK GOD THAT I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES AND NOT ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2015
WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. TAKEN TO MECHANIC INFORMED IT IS A FAILURE IN THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS I HAVE A 1.8 L ENGINE AND NOT THE 2.5 L
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. ONCE THE ENGINE STARTED, FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL AND ENGINE SENSOR WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 21, 2014
TRAVELING ON MAIN HIGHWAY W/ AIR TEMP (OAT) 90 DEGREES. RUNNING A/C. COOLANT TEMP SHOWED NORMAL. VECHICLE STALLED AND COASTED TO A STOP. WAITED AND IT STARTED. DID THIS FOUR MORE TIMES BEFORE DESTINATION. CODE 335 READING (CAMSHAFT SENSOR). 1.8L ENGINE. NOT 2.5. REPLACED BOTH CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 25, 2014
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S. WE WERE REPLACING A FEW PROBLEM AREAS UNDER THE HOOD, AND AFTER REPLACEMENT NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 30MPH. EVEN GETTING IT UP TO 30MPH IS A STRUGGLE. WE TOOK IT TO A COUPLE REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. NO ONE IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUES WE HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY (WHICH IS ONE MEANT FOR A 2006 YEAR NOT 2005), AND THE GAS PEDAL POSITION SENSOR, 3 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE LAST 5 1/2 MONTHS. NISSAN DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE GAS PEDAL POSITION SENSOR, EVEN THOUGH WE JUST HAD IT REPLACED AND THAT PART WAS IN FACT A GOOD PART! THEY CHARGED US FOR THEIR UNFOUNDED GUESSES. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2011
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, IT IS RAINING, SNOWING. THIS IS SECOND WINDOW TO FAIL IN THIS CAR. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE ELECTRIC WINDOWS THAT ARE SO SHODDILY MADE. I DON'T USE THAT WINDOW MUCH. I AM SURE THEY ALL WILL FAIL AT THIS RATE. ALL 4 OF THEM. *LN
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2010
I BOUGHT ME A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 ON JANUARY OF 2010. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY GET GREAT GAS MILEAGE AND ARE A VERY RELIABLE CAR TO HAVE. I HAVE LEARNED FAST THIS WAS NOT SO. MY CAR IS NOW NOT WANTING TO START, IT IS SHIFTING VERY HARD AND SOMETIMES WONT SHIFT AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL, MY KEYPAD WILL NOT WORK TO LOCK OR UNLOCK MY CAR BUT WILL OPEN THE TRUNK, THE LOCK-UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR WILL NOT WORK, AND NONE OF MY WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN. THIS IS BS. I HAVE TOLD AND WILL PROCEED TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO NOT BUY A NISSAN. THIS HAS MADE ME NOT WANT TO TRUST ANY OF YOUR VEHICLES AGAIN AND I WILL PROBABLY GO TO A DIFF. DEALER AND GET SOMETHING WELL WORTH MY MONEY. I AM NOT PAYING 8,000 DOLLARS ON A CAR THAT JUST KEEPS TEARING UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARTS ARE WAY TO EXPENSIVE! *TR
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2009
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ON THIS PAST SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009 - AGAIN. THIS MUST BE THE SIXTH TIME I HAD THE HORN NOT WORKING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER ENDLESS TIMES BECAUSE THE HORNS ARE COMPLETELY DEFECTIVE. I HAVE OWNED CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS TROUBLE WITH A CAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2009
NISSAN REFUSES TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000. ON 12/10/08 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA ON THE HIGHWAY, JUST CRUISING, NOT ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, WHEN SUDDENLY MY ENGINE HAD A STRONG PULL BACK, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 2 DAYS LATER I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO AUTOZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTICS, AND THEY PRINTED ME A REPORT THAT LISTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I LOOKED HERE ON NHTSA FOR RECALLS, AND FOUND THERE WAS ONE DIRECTLY DEALING WITH MY PROBLEM. THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES "DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE." WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REPROGRAM THE ECM BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. FIRST, IT DOES NOT MENTION THAT IN THE RECALL. SECOND, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WHICH IT ALSO STATES IN THE RECALL SUMMARY "THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR." SO SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER, WHO FINALLY TODAY, 1/9/09, TOLD ME I NEED TO PAY $95 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, FOR THEM TO CONSIDER REPLACING THE ACKNOWLEDGED FAULTY SENSOR, AND DO THE REPROGRAMMING. WHICH, SHE ADMITTED, THEY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT DO UNDER "GOOD WILL". SO I SIMPLY ASKED THE MANAGER, DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW "INSANE" THAT IS THAT YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY $95 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS THAT I ALREADY HAVE, TO GET NISSAN TO CONSIDER FIXING THE FAULTY PART WHICH THEY MOST LIKELY WILL NOT DO. THE MANAGER SAID, "YES, THAT IS 'INSANE', BUT THAT IS POLICY AND PROCEDURE." IF I AM NOT WILLING TO GET THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE AT NISSAN, THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO FOR ME, AND MY FILE IS CLOSED. SO, IN THE END, NISSAN WILL NOT PERFORM THEIR RECALL NOR FIX THE PART THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IS FAULTY IN THE RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2008
I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 2 PREVIOUS HORNS PUT INTO MY 2005 SENTRA FOUR DOOR CAR. THIS LATEST ONE HAS NOT BEEN IN THAT LONG AND IT DOES NOT WORK. IT GIVES A BEEP AND THEN IT IS GONE. I NEED A HORN THAT WORKS IN CONGESTED NEW JERSEY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WASTE MY TIME GOING THERE AND I DON'T THINK THE DEALERSHIP IS DOING ANYTHING AT ALL TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2007
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I GOT IT. I BOUGHT IT USED AT SMITHTOWN NISSAN IN AUGUST 2006. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A PART, I BELIEVE A SENSOR, THAT NEEDS REPLACING AND I HAVE GOTTEN A CONTINUPIS RUN AROUND BOTH F ROM SMITHTOWN NISSAN AND FROM THE NISSAN DEALER IN PLATTSUBRGH, NY WHERE I GO TO SCHOOL. A LIGHT KEPT GOING ON NAS SUMMER AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN BECAUSE I HAD TO DRIVE B ACK TO SCHOOL WITH IT. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT. BUT ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL THE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN PLATTSBURGH WHO SAID IT NEEDED A PART AND THEY WOULD ORDER IT AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE A FEW WEEKS. AFTER I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM I CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY HAD CALLED ME BUT I DIDN'T RETURN THEIR CALL AND SO THEY RETURNED THE PART. THIS NEVER HAPPENED! THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART AGAIN AND THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE END OF DEC. WELL NOW I'M BACK IN RONKONKOMA AND OBVIOUSLY CAN'T GO BACK TO THE PLATTSBURGH NISSAN. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS I DRIVE BACK AND FORTH FROM RONKONKOMA TO PLATTSBURGH AND I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2007
I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 SENTRA SINCE I GOT IT. I LOOKED UP SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE NHTSA ODI COMPLAINT SITE AND SEE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2007
SQUEALING NOISE UNDER HOOD REPORTED, TOLD COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE. 4 MONTHS LATER RETURNED VEHICLE TO SHOP. WAS TOLD NOISE IS COMING FROM BELTS WHOSE COATINGS ARE CRACKED BUT BELTS ARE GOOD. COST $170 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE GOOD BELTS. APPARENTLY THE BELTS USED ON MY 2005 SENTRA WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 30, 2006
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE PURCHASED. THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE QUIT WORKING, THE TRANSMISSION CHIRPS WHEN SHIFTING, IT IDLES ROUGH, AND IT TURNS OVER PROBABLY 40 TIMES BEFORE STARTING. DEALERSHIP STATES SINCE IT HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT THAT IT WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $1700.00 TO FIX. THIS CAR HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. BEWARE OF THE SENTRA. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 13, 2006
LOST HORN FOR THIRD TIME. A HORN IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE NISSAN SENTRA I OWN SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART AT 20,000 MILES. I HAD HORN TROUBLE, BRAKES SQUEAK LIKE MAD, WINDOWS SQUEAK WHEN UP AND DOWN - HARDLY GO UP AND DOWN, ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. *JB