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: engine
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAT STOPPED BLOWING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT A HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,300.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 23, 2010
1. SHAKING WHEN CAR WAS TURNED ON. LOSING POWER WHILST DRIVING. LOSING COOLANT. 2. HEAD GASKET WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE LEAKING. OCCURRED CONSTANTLY WHEN CAR TURNED ON, LOST POWER AS DRIVING, IDLED ROUGH, FAILED TO POINT COULD NO LONGER DRIVE AS COULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT SHAKING OR FEELING LIKE IT WOULD STALL. ODD PART IS IT SEEMED TO BE BETTER ON COOLER MORNINGS. 3. READ CODES FOR MISFIRE CYLINDER 4, AND RANDOM MISFIRE. ALSO RUNNING A LITTLE ELEVATED TEMPERATURE. WE CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, COILS, AND STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR ALL HAD SAME CODES. THE SOLUTION ON MULTIPLE MESSAGE BOARDS THAT 2005 NISSAN SENTRA ALL HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET BLOWING. WHEN ASKED MECHANIC TO CHECK, HE FOUND CYLINDER 4 BE VERY CLEAN WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING IN. HE USED A SEALANT PRODUCT THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT FILLED IN LEAKS. HE SAID THE HEAD GASKET DESIGN WAS DIFFERENT. THEY WERE BOLTS THAT SEEMED TO STRETCH AS THEY TIGHTEN WHICH WOULD OBVIOUSLY CRACK OR BREAK AFTER GENERAL USE. HE SAID THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM IF ANY FRAGMENTS WERE TO BE LOSE IN THE SYSTEM COULD DAMAGE OTHER PARTS SUCH AS A WATER PUMP. WE ARE WATCHING THE WATER LEVELS. WE HAVE PARKED THE CAR BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IF OR WHEN THE CAR WILL REPEAT THE ISSUE. THE COST IS ABOUT 2,000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED TO OTHER PARTS AS WELL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2010, crash, fire
NISSAN SENTRA 05 HEAD GASKET NISSAN SENTRA'S ( ESPECIALLY 05'S ) SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS BLOWING. DESPERATELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. EVERYONE IT SEEMS HAS PROBLEMS WITH IT. IF YOU LOOK UP 05 SENTRA COMPLAINTS ONLINE 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES ITS HEAD GASKET. I GAVE FALSE INFORMATION ON HERE CONCERNING THE INCIDENT REPORT IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD INCREASE CHANCES OF MY DESCRIPTION BEING READ. DON'T TRY MY CONTACT INFORMATION EITHER BECAUSE IT SHOULD ALSO BE OBVIOUSLY FALSE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN SENTA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. I HAVE REPLACED THE PART TWICE AND MY CAR STILL CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND NISSAN IS TELLING MY THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGONISTIC FROM A NISSAN DEALARSHIP AND IF THEY PROVE THAT IT IS DEFEACTED THEN THEY WILL REPLACE IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2010
I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE CRANK SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L ENGINE. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2005 SENTRA 2.5 L ENGINE, BUT NOT THE 1.8L ENGINES. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN THIS CASE, BECAUSE MY CAR SHUT DOWN MANY TIMES ON THE HIGH WAY WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AND STOPPED WORKING, AND IT'S A REAL DANGER TO THOSE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2010
2005 NISSAN SENTRA ENGINE LIGHT RECALL. ON*CW THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK SIX MONTHS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO THE RECALL PROBLEM NOT BEING RESOLVED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2010
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON AND I NOTICED I WAS HAVING TO PUT COOLANT AND/OR WATER IN THE RADIATOR EVERY FEW DAYS. I WAS ONLINE AND READ A FORUM WITH ABOUT 25-30 OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES I WAS HAVING AND THEY ALL TURNED OUT TO BE THE HEAD GASKETS. PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY FILED COMPLAINTS WITH NISSAN BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. ALL THE VEHICLES HAD MILEAGE OF 60,000-80,000 AND THAT IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH MILEAGE FOR US TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I JUST DON'T THINK ITS A COINCIDENCE THAT WE ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART. I CHANGED OUT THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, AND HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED AND AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM SO I'VE DETERMINED IT HAS TO BE THE HEAD GASKET, LIKE THE MANY OTHERS. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE HEAD GASKET YET AS I'M STILL SAVING MONEY FOR IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). MY CAR (2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L ENGINE) BEGAN OVERHEATING TERRIBLY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. I BROUGHT IT INTO A MECHANIC, WHO HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A BROKEN HEADGASKET. I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/SENTRA/2005/ENGINE/BLOWN_HEAD_GASKET.SHTML. I DECIDED TO SEND THOSE INTO NISSAN AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND DO A RECALL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM- ESPECIALLY SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. HAD I NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SIGNALS ON MY CAR, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING SO BADLY AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I ENDED UP PAYING $911.00 TO FIX THE CAR. I SENT A LETTER INTO NISSAN AND WAS CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT THEY ULTIMATELY DENIED MY CLAIM. I REALLY FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE IN THIS CASE. I'VE INVESTIGATED THIS SITUATION AND FOUND THAT IT'S QUITE COMMON FOR THE HEADGASKETS ON THIS CAR TO FAIL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME. [XXX] *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA (VIN #[XXX] ) THAT HAS BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AT 65,000 MILES. ON MARCH 15 I NOTICED MY CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING, ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT CATCH. IT DID START, HOWEVER, SO I DROVE HOME, CALLED A MECH AND SCHEDULED AN APPT FOR THE 17TH. ON THE 16TH MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECH. THIS MECH RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND DISCOVERED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ASKED ME WHAT OTHER SYMPTOMS I HAD BEEN HAVING..THERE WERE NONE. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC -- FOR A SECOND OPINION -- SINCE MY 1ST MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED AND A BIT SHOCKED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD GO BAD THIS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF MY CAR. THE 2ND MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE SAMETHING AND WAS ALSO SHOCKED IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET SINCE HEAD GASKETS NORMALLY LAST WELL OVER 100,000 MILES. I CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A) THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS ONLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UP TO 60,000 MILES AND B) THAT HAD I TAKEN BETTER CARE OF MY CAR, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I DO TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR.. I'M ACTUALLY A BIT ANAL ABOUT GETTING THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES AND HAVE THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. TOLD HIM THIS AND ESSENTIALLY HE BLEW ME OFF. INTERESTINGLY, HE WAS THE ONLY ONE NOT SURPRISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. IN MY RESEARCH SINCE THEN, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE #1 COMPLAINT FOR THE 2005 NISSAN SENTRA IS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET BETWEEN 65,000 AND 75,000 MILES. IT WOULD APPEAR TO ME THAT NISSAN KNEW THEY USED A DEFECTIVE PART BUT 'COVERED THEMSELVES' BY ONLY COVERING IT UP TO 60,000 MILES. THEY ADMITTED THAT THEIR OTHER 'MODELS' DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM (THOUGH I DID NOT GET THIS IN WRITING) AND ACTUALLY TRIED TO SELL ME ANOTHER NISSAN. WHILE THIS WAS NOT DANGEROUS TO ME, AS IT HAPPENED IN THE SAFETY OF MY GARAGE, HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE HAD A MUCH DIFFERENT OUTCOME. I'M OUT LOTS OF MONEY (APPROX $1,200) AND AFTER A WEEK STILL DO NOT HAVE A RUNNING CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2009
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA WHEN IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGHLY THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY IT RAN FINE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. SOMEONE TOLD ME TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED SO I DID THAT. THE CAR WAS FINE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS WORSE IT WAS RUNNING ROUGHER AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE AND IT WAS LOUD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD IT FOR 2 HOURS AND TOLD ME THAT MY HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE REMAINING POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. AFTER THAT I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. THE REASON THAT I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AUGUST 2010 AND THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET IN MY VEHICLE IS ALMOST 2000.00 DOLLARS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REPLACE WHAT EVER PARTS REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE THIS PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2009
2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURE - CAR OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY, ANTIFREEZE LEAKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD CAR TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND CONFIRMED HEAD GASKET FAILURE. BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW, LESS THAN 36 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT 76K MILES. ATTEMPTED TO WORK THROUGH CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT NISSAN TO RECOVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIR EXPENSE AS GOOD WILL, BUT WAS DENIED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2008
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA IN APRIL 2006. SINCE FEBRUARY 2008, I HAVE HAD THE SAME CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. I GET IN MY CAR AND IT SIMPLY WILL NOT START. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM TOYOTA AND TOOK IT TO THEM TO FIX IT. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT AND THEY SENT IT TO NISSAN. WHEN TOYOTA TRIED TO FIX IT THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BAD GAS, THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY THEN SAID IT WAS A STARTER, THEY PUT A STARTER ON IT, THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN NISSAN GOT IT, THEY FIXED SOMETHING, I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER AT THIS POINT. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CART WOULDN'T START AGAIN, TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN, THEY SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET, THEY FIXED IT. SATURDAY WHEN TO GET IN MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START. IT EVENTUALLY STARTED LATER ON THAT DAY. BEEN DRIVING THE CAR. THIS MORNING (4 DAYS LATER) CAR WILL NOT START. I AM AT MY WITS END. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR BECAUSE MY OLD CAR WAS UNRELIABLE. NOW MY NEW CAR IS JUST AS UNRELIABLE. BOUGHT A NISSAN BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY IT IS A REALLY GOOD CAR. SO FAR, NOT CONVINCED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE IT NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. I AM REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A HEART TO HEART TALK WITH NISSAN REGARDING THIS CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2008
THERMOSTAT FROZE SHUT CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND BLOW THE HEAD GASKET. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT WAS TO LATE. IM ALSO A MECHANIC. I HAD A LOSE OF HEAT IN THE CAR SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR WITH 67K MILES. I HAD TO PAY 900.00 FOR NISSAN TO FIX IT AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOVE AND DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO MY TOOLS. ALL OF THESE LISTINGS WITH SEVER ENGINE TROUBLE IS CAUSED BY THIS OVERHEAT ISSUE. THE THERMOSTAT IS DEFECTIVE IN MANY SENTRAS, THEN OTHER DAMAGE OCCURS. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I BUY. IN THE BEGINNING NISSAN TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THIS, THEN AFTER THE FACT THEY WOULD NOT. ALSO THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALWAYS BEEN WEAK AND NOW NEEDS REPLACEMENT (SAME MILEAGE) AND THE CD PLAYER QUITE WORKING. THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WITH LIMITING THE WARRANTY TO 60K. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 13, 2008
I HAD A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND WIRE PROBLEM BUT I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 19 MONTH IN BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE HAD THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2008
VEHICLE 62,861 MILES. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. JANUARY 26, 2008 I DROVE VEHICLE 25 MILES FROM MY HOME. THE CAR SAT FOR 4 HOURS. ON RESTART GOT NO HEAT. TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE NORMAL RANGE. DROVE 10 MILES WHEN THE HEAT GAUGE SPIKED HIGH, STOPPED. ENGINE TEMP BACK TO NORMAL, AND I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. OPENED HOOD NO STEAM VISIBLE. EASED RADIATOR CAP OFF, COULD SEE COOLANT IN RADIATOR STARTED ENGINE BACK UP TO SEE WHERE THE WATER LEVEL WOULD DROP TOO. ADDED 4 OZ. NO STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE OR RADIATOR. SERVICE SOON LIGHT NOW LIT. ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY. TRIED TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG. SUSPECTED NO WATER FLOW THROUGH HEATER. DETERMINED WATER FLOW OUT OF THE RADIATOR, NO STEAM, HAD A SERVICE SOON LIGHT, AND ENGINE HAD A SLIGHT MISS AT STARTUP THAT CLEARED AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF RUNNING. I TOOK THE NISSAN TO BREEDEN'S AUTO REPAIR. BREEDEN'S DETERMINED ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND A MISS IN NO. 2 CYLINDER. THE NISSAN'S ENGINE WAS REPAIRED. BREEDEN'S MECHANICS TOLD ME THE FOLLOWING: NISSAN HAD 4 OR 5 (SERVICE) NOTICES ON FAILED HEAD GASKET WITH CYLINDER NUMBER 2 MISS FOR THE 2005 1.8 SENTRA, HOWEVER NO RECALL EXISTS; ENGINE COOLANT AND RADIATOR WERE CLEAN; NEW TYPE HEAD BOLTS WERE REQUIRED WITH THE GASKET REPLACEMENT AND REQUIRED 60 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE; THAT WHEN REMOVING THE HEAD THEY FOUND THE REAR BOLTS TO BE MUCH LOOSER THAN THE FRONT BOLTS (NOT THE REQUIRED TORQUE); AND THEY FOUND NO OTHER REASON TO EXPLAIN HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE 1.8 NISSAN ENGINE HEAD GASKET SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A WELL MAINTAINED, NON-ABUSED ENGINE WITH 62K MILES. I BELIEVE NISSAN HAD INDICATIONS THAT SOME OF THEIR 1.8 ENGINES HAD A PROBLEM BLOWING HEAD GASKETS BECAUSE OF THE NOTICES. I SUSPECT NISSAN ATTRIBUTED THESE RECORDED FAILURES TO HEAD BOLT TORQUE, AND I WONDER WHY NO RECALL NOTICE WAS FORTHCOMING. NISSAN GAVE A NEGATIVE RESPONSE ON FEBRUARY 28, 2008. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Feb 13, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA IN DECEMBER 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2007, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION TO MY CAR OVERHEATING, THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING. I DO NOT HAVE VERY MUCH MONEY AND MY WARRANTY HAS ALREADY EXPIRED SO I HAD A FAMILY MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. I HAD THE WATER-PUMP REPLACED, THE RADIATOR FLUSHED, THE HEATING AND COOLING SENSOR REPLACED, BELTS AND HOSES REPLACED. AFTER HAVING SO MANY THINGS DONE TO MY CAR, THE PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT SOLVED. I THEN DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP FLUSHED OUT MY RADIATOR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE HEAT WAS WORKING AND IT WAS FINE. THE REPAIR SHOP IS LITERALLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE I LIVE. BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE CAR OVERHEATED AND THE HEAT WENT OUT. I TOOK THE CAR RIGHT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I MUST HAVE A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. OK, SO I WENT BACK TO THE FAMILY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE REPAIR SHOP WANTED TO CHARGE OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET (WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE). THE FAMILY MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET FOR ME THOUGH HE DIDN'T SEE HOLES OR CRACKS IN THE ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET. THIS STILL DID NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A RADIATOR, I PAID $560 JUST TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE RADIATOR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME BEFORE THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AGAIN AND THE HEAT WENT OUT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. THIS WAS FIVE WEEKS AGO. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY CAR. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I PROBABLY NEED A HEAD GASKET. I GAVE THE OK TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET WHICH WILL COST OVER $1500. I AM STILL AWAITING MY CAR BUT AM NOT SURE THAT THIS WILL SOLVE MY PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 25, 2007
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. I'VE HAD IT FOR A YEAR WHEN IT STARTED SQUEALING UNDER THE HOOD, IT ALSO WOULD SHAKE FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES EVERYTIME I STARTED IT IN THE MORNING. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE GAUGES DIDN'T WARN ME OF ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE HAND. I TOOK THE CAR FOR REGULAR SERVICES, ALWAYS ON TIME FOR OIL CHANGES. THE CD PLAYER WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE AND STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE CAR NO LONGER HAS WARRANTY AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW ENGINE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. *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, Jun 13, 2007
THIS CAR HAS BEEN HORRIBLE FROM THE START. THE LATEST PROBLEM INVOLVED THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPING AND REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE, THIS WAS THE 3RD ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE CAR. THE 1ST ENGINE HAD A HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WA S A SECOND TRANSMISSION, THE FIRST ONE MADE NOISES WHEN SHIFTING AT CERTAIN RPMS. BE WARNED, NISSAN QUALITY HAS GONE DOWN, WAY DOWN. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2007
WE BOUGHT OUR NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S WITH 126 HORSE POWER MOTOR AND WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2005. AFTER THE FIRST 14000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN EXHIBITING WEAK RESTARTING PROBLEMS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN AMPLY WARMED UP AND SAT FOR ONE HOUR OR LONGER WITH THE MOTOR REMAINING IN THE WARM TEMPERATURE RANGES TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE COLD. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Mar 8, 2007
I BROUGHT MY 05 NISSAN SENTRA IN MARCH 2005. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR VISITS, AND EVERY TIME FOR A YEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THEN IN APRIL OF 2006 MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MOSSY NISSAN ON MILE OF CARS IN NATIONAL CITY (WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) TWO AND EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT BACK BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE! AND WANTED ME TO PAY FOR IT. I WAS PREGNANT ON BED REST AND HAVING TO ARGUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN CORP. THAT REGULAR MAINTENANCE NEVER REVEALED ANY PROBLEMS AND THAT IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THEM. I INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO HONOR THE 60 MONTH WARRANTY THAT I HAD I WOULD JUST SUE THEM. AFTER HAVING MY HUSBAND PARENTS ARGUE WITH THEM BECAUSE THE STRESS DURING MY PREGNANCY WAS JUST TOO MUCH. THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE. SO FAR SO GOOD FOR ALMOST ANOTHER YEAR AND NOW THE CAR'S SERVICE ENGINE SOON KEEPS COMING ON THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER TODAY FOR THE 3RD TIME. THE CAR STALLS OUT. THE SERVICE MAN JUST LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY PHONE AND IS NOW SAYING THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR IS OFF?! WHATEVER .. I AM GOING TO GO PICK IT UP .. IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN I AM GOING TO HAVE MY BOSS WHO'S SPOUSE IS A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY GET INVOLVED. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2006
THE 2005 NISSAN SENTRA THAT I PURCHASED HAS CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OVER 6 TIMES DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES WITH THE COMPLAINT OF SLUGGISH AND/OR STALLING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT AND CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE IS A POTENTIAL RISK TO BE REAR-ENDED WHEN IT APPEARS I AM MOVING FORWARD AND SUDDENLY STOP! THE STALL HAS HAPPENED AS I LEAVE A SITTING POSITION EITHER GOING FORWARD OR REVERSING. THE FIRST STALL HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS ONLY ONE WEEK OLD. WHEN WE CALLED TO COMPLAIN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY MENTIONED THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WITH NEW CARS WORKING OUT THE KINKS. THE DEALERS MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER-ONCE AGAIN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGHLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE IGNITION COIL. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK THREE DAYS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGHLY. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . THE DEALER NOTED ON THE CONTACT'S INVOICE THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO CYLINDER NUMBER THREE MISFIRING. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON EITHER SERVICE INVOICE HOW THE CYLINDER MISFIRE WAS CORRECTED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPARK PLUGS OR THE IGNITION COIL. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2005
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON, AFTER MULTIPLE SERVICE VISITS WITH MULTIPLE MIS FIRES IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE VERY HARD AND RAPIDLY. THERE WERE NO ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON A GEAR WITH THE R.P.M. REFERRING ON HIGH FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, ALSO WHEN GOING FROM BRAKE TO GAS OR VICE VERSA IT WILL STALL THEN ACCELERATE. ALL THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAPPENING WITHIN A 6 MONTH. PERIOD OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. VEHICLE RECENTLY SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE ENGINE MOTOR, CARBURETOR & THROTTLE BODY ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE FIXED DUE TO NISSAN NOT HAVING THE PARTS. ALL THIS HAPPENING WITHIN A 6 MONTH. PERIOD OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *NM