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: service brakes
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 27, 2025
I purchased a 2005 Nissan Sentra on [XXX] from TMZ Auto Sales. The front passenger and driver side calipers, rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, front driver side hub bearings and knuckle hook up, were replaced by me, and the left passenger side ball joint needs to be repaired. All repairs were done within 30-60 days of purchase. The dealer replaced the front driver side caliper and brake, but I had to replace them a second time, and the dealership also replaced the sensor that he thought needed to be replaced, but the check engine light is still on. I was driving to and from work with my grandchildren and the brakes, calipers, rotors would start to malfunction. My daughter and myself were driving when the front driver side and passenger brake hose malfunctioned. The dealership confirmed that both front calipers and brake pads needed to be replaced and he claimed to have fixed them both when he came to my house. The dealership also knew that both front brake hoses needed to be repaired and told me to have them replaced by the guy who was repairing the front passenger side caliper and brake that he allegedly fixed. The other problems were confirmed and resolved by my friends who work on cars. The front driver side brakes started to make a squeaking noise on September 2nd 2025 and I took the vehicle to my friend who works on cars. and he stated that the front passenger side brakes and caliper was not functioning properly. The car has not been inspected by anyone. The check engine light was on when I purchased the vehicle. The dealership worker, Wesley, stated that the check engine light might be related to the car needing a new gas cap. Wesley also stated prior to me purchasing the car that the car runs good, "I only need to change both brake pads and calipers". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Sep 23, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH SHE AND THE PASSENGER HEADS COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CUTS TO THE HEAD AND BACK PAINS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HEAD, NECK AND BACK PAINS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE OTHER VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AT FONTANA NISSAN (16444 S HIGHLAND AVE, FONTANA, CA 92336 (909) 574-2288) SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS AFTER THE COLLISON. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2017, crash
I FILED A POLICE REPORT AND HAVE MEDICAL BILLS FROM ACCIDENT WITH INSURANCE COMPANY FARM BUREAU - BRAKES DID NOT WORK
Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2014
1) I HEARD THAT AIRBAGS ON MY CAR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DO. THERE MAY BE A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE. 2) FOR THE PAST 3-4 MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND/VIBRATION WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKES. IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERYDAY. SOME DAYS, AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN A FEW MILES, EVERY SINGLE TIME I USE MY BRAKES THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT, I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO PUT ON BRAKES SUDDENLY AND I HEARD IT. NOW IT STILL HAPPENS, BUT I HEAR AND FEEL A THUMPING UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR ON THE LEFT BACK-WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER AND THIS SOUND OCCURS, THEY REPORT TO ME THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE THUMP UNDER THEIR FEET. OTHER DAYS I DON'T HEAR IT ALL. IF I HAVE A FULL LOAD OF FOUR PEOPLE, I HEAR IT AND FEEL IT FREQUENTLY. SOMETIME IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS UNDER THE TRUNK OR IN THAT BACK SEAT AREA. WE HAD THE CAR EXAMINED BY A LOCAL REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP, THEY DID NOT HEAR THE THUMP AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO HEAR IT OR FEEL IT IN ORDER TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS.. THEY DID EXAMINE THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING THAT SHOULD BE MAKING THIS NOISE, IN THEIR OPINION. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT IS GOING ON. CURRENT MILEAGE: 172,000. CELL PHONE: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 9, 2012
MY CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FULLY INSPECTED ON OCTOBER 2010. IT HAD BEEN CHECKED ABOUT THREE TIMES THAT SAME YEAR BY NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. ON MARCH 8, AS I WAS EXITING I-35, MY BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKE; I DIDN'T RAISE MY FOOT AND PUSH, I JUST KEPT PUSHING DEEPER AND DEEPER. I BRACED MYSELF FOR IMPACT, BUT MIRACULOUSLY, THE CAR STOPPED JUST A CENTIMETER AWAY FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON OCTOBER 2010, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A NON-NISSAN MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS MISSING BRAKE FLUID AND THAT ALL MY BRAKES WERE WORN OUT. THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING BRAKE PADS. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. NO NISSAN DEALERSHIP EVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. TOWN NORTH NISSAN IN AUSTIN WERE THE ONES WHO LAST INSPECTED MY CAR, TWICE IN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. BEFORE, THAT, I TOOK MY CAR TO CHARLIE CLARK NISSAN IN HARLINGEN (WHICH HAS THE WORST SERVICE EVER; THEY TRIED MAKING ME PAY FOR THINGS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY). I COULD HAVE CRASHED; I COULD'VE KILLED OTHERS AND MYSELF. I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE TO RESORT TO, BECAUSE BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE (I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH MY A.C., WINDOWS, AND OTHER THINGS BEFORE), NISSAN DOES IS RUDE AND DOES NOT HELP OUT. SO, I DOUBT THEY'LL HELP ME NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. MY BRAKES DID NOT WEAR OUT OVER NIGHT. A HUGE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED DUE TO THE NISSAN'S NEGLIGENCE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 2007
I WENT TO NISSAN DENVILLE TODAY AND WS TOLD MY BRAKES ARE IN BAD SHAPE. THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 37,500 MILES ON CAR. I AM NOT HARD ON BRAKES, I AM A 72 YEAR OLD LADY WHO LETS THE CAR ROLL TO A STOP WHEN I CAN. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON MY BRAKES SHOULD BE IN SUCH BAD SHAPE. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH NISSAN BRAKES? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 21, 2007, crash
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA, BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. I MAINTAIN THE CAR LIKE A BABY. TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD THEIR 100 POINT CHECK UP, BRAKES CHECKED, WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ALL. ON MY WAY HOME FROM THIS SERVICE CHECKUP, THE BACK BREAKS STARTED MAKING A THUMPING NOISE, I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY, WAITED THERE FOR TWO HOURS FOR THEM TO "FIX" THE NOISE. ON MY WAY HOME ON THIS RAINY DAY, MY CAR SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL, WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS GOING ONTO AN EXIT. THE BRAKES ABSOLUTELY DID NOT WORK AND THE CAR BUMPED THE CURB AT LEAST 4 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. I TRIED APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING INSANE, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON A RAINY DAY. THE OTHER TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ACTUALLY INCHING IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED SHORT AN INCH FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND ONLY BECAUSE THAT CAR MOVED FORWARD. APPARENTLY THESE BRAKES AREN'T MADE TO WORK IN THE RAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 30, 2006
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA BOUGHT IN APRIL, 2005. IT START MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR DRUM BRAKES WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRUMS IN THE REAR OF MY SENTRA ARE GRABBING AND LETTING GO AND MAKING A THUD NOISE ( I THINK IT'S THE BRAKES ANYWAY GIVEN THAT IT HAPPENS WITH THE BRAKES ON AND AT LOW SPEED FROM ABOUT 10 TO 0 MPH). AT AROUND 10 MPH IT THUMPS - QUICKLY AND THE THUMPS ARE SPACED OUT LONGER AS THE CAR SLOWS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 18, 2006
I PURCHASED MY 2005 SENTRA BRAND NEW IN MARCH OF 2005. I CURRENTLY HAVE ONLY 8K MILES ON MY VEHICLE. I'VE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A THUMPING NOISE FROM THE REAR END FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I TOOK IT IN TO NISSAN TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY MY TIRES. I STILL INSISTED THEY CHECK IT OUT, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR DRUMS ARE WARPED AND I WILL NEED NEW DRUMS AND BRAKE SHOES ON THE REAR WHEELS. WITH ONLY 8K MILES ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 30, 2006, crash
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 IN S.C. AT ABOUT 75 MPH A VEHICLE I WAS PASSING ENTERED THE PASSING LANE. I SWERVED SLIGHTLY ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER & BRAKED. THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED BEFORE THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL & ACROSS BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE DEALER IN SC DID NOT SEEM TO THINK THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING BEFORE THE FRONT WAS A PROBLEM. AS WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING STRUCK BY ANY OTHER VEHICLES THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS FLAT SPOTS ON ALL 4 TIRES WHICH CAUSED A VIBRATION PROBLEM UNTIL THEY WERE REPLACED. NONREPORTABLE CRASH, NO INJURIES AN VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE- THIS TIME! *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 30, 2005, crash
DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BRAKES FAILED. . WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. APPLIED THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. CALLER SAID THE LAST TIME HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED ANDVEHICLE SKIDDED AND THAT WAS WHEN HE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. CALLER'S CHILD WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED. THE CALLER SAID AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. DEALER REPAIRED THE DAMAGE DONE IN ACCIDENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHY BRAKES FAILED. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE COMPUTER.*AK