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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 170

Of the 2005 reports, 13 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling48 reports · 28% of complaints
Owner complaints170Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling48
  2. Engine33
  3. Fuel system22
  4. Air bags21
  5. Gasoline21
  6. Electrical system17
  7. Fuel/propulsion system15
  8. Service brakes12

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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: fuel/propulsion system

15 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2019

    MY FUEL LINE IS NOT STANDING UP TO WORK AND IS LEADKING, SAME AS THE KIA. EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO TAKE CAREOF THIS

  2. Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2018

    I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN 2007 WITH THE TOTAL MILEAGE OF 9,100. AFTER SIX MONTHS OF DRIVING THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM I HAVE USED FOR ALL MY AUTOMOBILES. I WAS TOLD THE SEAL ON THE VAPOR HOSE WAS LOOSE AND HE COULD TIGHTEN IT, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THE COST TO REPAIR THE SEAL WAS OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE. SINCE 2007 THE SERVICE LIGHT ON MY DASH WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO SWITCH OFF BEFORE I COULD GO FOR AN INSPECTION STICKER. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE INSPECTORS AT THE STATION TOLD ME OF THE VAPOR LEAK AND WERE NICE ENOUGH TO TIGHTEN THE SEAL TO THE VAPOR HOSE SO THE CAR COULD PASS INSPECTION. TO DATE THE SEAL ON THE VAPOR HOSE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE VIN ON THIS SPECIFIC 2005 NISSAN SENTRA DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V269000 FOR THE FUEL TANK VAPOR HOSE. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. AND IT IS A PROBLEM. STARTED 01/07/2010

  3. Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 12, 2017

    AFTER FUELING CAR (I.E. PUMP AUTO SHUTS OFF) AND FUEL PUMP IS REMOVED, A GURGLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM WITHIN THE CAR'S FUEL FILLER AND THEN GASOLINE IS PUSHED OUT AND OVERFLOWS, SPILLING OUT DANGEROUSLY ONTO THE GROUND. CAR IS STATIONARY, TURNED OFF, AT GAS STATION WITH KEYS REMOVED. HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.

  4. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2017

    MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND SLOWED DOWN GOING SO ME RAL ROAD TRACKS AND THE. CAR STALLED, IT SCARED HER A LOT BEING SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY, SHE WAS ABEL TO PULL OVER HALF SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF NOT KNOWING THE CAR HAD STALLED AND AS YOU KNOW WHEN A CAR STALLES AND YOUR IGNITION IS ON ON ALL YOUR WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY, SHE WAS VERY FORTUNATE SHE DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT, THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAD NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, MY SON TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECKED AT A PARTS STORE AND SAID IT HAD A BAD BATTERY SO HE REPLACED IT. SHE'S A COLLEGE STUDENT, AFTER NIGHT CLASS WAS GOING BACK TO HER APARTMENT, GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY ON TO THE RAMP CAME TO A LIGHT AND TURNED GREEN SO SHE DID NOT HAVE TO STOP AS SHE WAS TURNING CAR STALLED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, SHE PANICKED BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT A CAR OR TRUCK WOULD REAR END HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. CAR STALLED AND DID NOT WANT TO START FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT FINALLY SRATED AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. DID OT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES TOOK IT TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY AND DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD, SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE, I HOPE SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE EVER AGAIN. WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THAT SHE COULD OF HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND NOW I GO ONLINE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND NISSAN DOES NOT COVER THIS DEFECT THAT THEY SAY ONLY CERTAIN MODELS OR ENGINE SIZE WERE IN THERE RECALL COST OVER $300.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED, PLUS MY CAR ALSO HAS A OTHER DEFECT WITCH SOME TIMES HAS A HARD TIME STARTING BECAUSE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE, THEY SAY THERE IS A REPAIR KIT YOU CAN BUY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED, IT COST ABOUT THORPE SAME AMOUNT AS IF YOU WERE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL PUMP.

  5. Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2016

    VAPOR CANISTER - FUEL IS SPILLING ALL OVER THE GROUND WHEN FILLING UP BECAUSE THE VAPOR CANISTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE COMPANY REFUSES TO TAKE ANY CARE OF IT DESPITE THE FACT IT IS A RECALL 05V269000.

  6. Steering, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2016

    AR BAGS MADE BY TAKATA. NEVER FIXED ON RECALL. REPRESENT DAMGE TO DRIVER TO KILL THEM. HUMIDITY CAN CAUSE DANGER TO DRIFE TO KILL THEM. NEVER RECALLED BY NISSAN NJ IS THE MOST HUMID STATE.

  7. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 9, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000.

  8. Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 21, 2015

    WHILE PUMPING GAS AFTER 1.50 OR LESS PUMP SHUTS OFF AND GAS SPILLS OUT ON TO THE GROUND THIS OVER AND OVER WHILE TRYING TO PUT 20.00 IN TAKES SO LONG AND SO MUCH GAS SPILLING OUT IS DANGEROUS AND NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHICH HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME

  9. Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER REFUELING, FUEL WOULD OVERFLOW AND SPLASH ALL OVER THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

  10. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE FUEL CAP NOT BEING SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT COULD POSSIBLY RE-ILLUMINATE AND IF SO, TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IF THE FAILURE RECURRED, THEN THERE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN A FUEL LEAK SOMEWHERE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

  11. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2013

    ENGINE CODE P1446 EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE. VEHICLE WOULD SPIT OUT GAS WHEN TRYING TO REFUEL. VALVE NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

  12. Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2012

    AS I WAS PUMPING GAS INTO THE VEHICLE GAS BEGAN TO POUR ON TO THE CAR. THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY BUT THE PUMP CONTINUED TO CLICK AS IF THE TANK WERE FULL AND THERE WERE EXCESSIVE FUMES COMING OUT OF THE TANK. *TR

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 22, 2012

    NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ06001 REQUIRES NISSAN TO FIX THE RECALLED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN OUR CAR BECAUSE THE PART HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS, HOWEVER NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

  14. Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 15, 2012

    CANNOT FILL GAS TANK NORMALLY. WITH A 1/4 TANK, THERE IS BACK-FILL THAT CAUSES THE GAS PUMP TO 'CLICK' OFF AS IF IT IS FULL. OTHER TIMES, YOU HEAR THE 'SWOOSHING' SOUND OF A BACK-FILL, AND GAS HAS COME FLYING BACK OUT AT ME WHILE 'ATTEMPTING' TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR - SEVERE HAZARD!!! CHECKED THE CODE AND SURE ENOUGH, LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, VOILA - IT'S THE EVAP CANISTER VENT VALVE MALFUNCTION... IN THIS CASE, IT'S 'CLOSED'. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 8 MINUTES TO PUT 2 GALLONS WORTH OF GAS IN, NEEDLESS TO SAY, VAPOR FUMES ARE STRONG, AND GAS DRIBBLES OUT. FILLING UP THIS VEHICLE IS A PAIN IN THE _____. IT APPEARS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH NISSAN VEHICLES AND IT APPEARS TO ME, NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

  15. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER REFUELING THE FUEL WOULD SPRAY OUT OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V269000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE VIN WAS INELGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL; HOWEVER THE DEALER HAD TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.