2008 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 167 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 20 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderNov 3, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
IF THE WARNING LAMP IS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 09V431000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderJul 11, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MACHINING IRREGULARITY BY THE SUPPLIER, THE INTERNAL SEAL GROOVE IN THE BODY OF SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP IN THE GROOVE CONTACT AREA OF THE SEAL. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
IF THE WARNING LAMP IS IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY AND IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE IS DETECTED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V311000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
167 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2024
Transmission problems! Dealer wants to Charge me $7,000.00 dollars to fix it! Recall has a warranty until 2022 or 120,000 miles . My car has 85,375 miles!they said that warranty already expired! But my car only has 85,375 miles and the warranty is 120,000 miles!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2023
The car's airbag dashboard light has been on and blinking for about a month now- indicating an issue. I have not been in any recent accidents and it appeared on its own. Subsequently, the car horn does not work. Airbags and car horn are necessary to prevent accidents and serious injury, including death in the event of an accident. I advised my local Nissan dealership who stated there are no current recalls and the car would need to be inspected- which will likely be costly. No inspections have been made at this time.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2023, crash
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle in front abruptly depressed its brake pedal causing the driver to crash into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but no air bags were deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2022
Driver Air bag sensor light came on. The dealership reset it several times but it continues to come on. We paid the money to have them put the car on the diagnostic system. They are saying after review, the airbag needs to be replaced. It costs $1500 to replace the airbag. Which makes zero sense. The car has never been wrecked. Reports have shown issues with airbags in hundreds of thousands of Nissans. The 2008 Nissan Sentra needs to be reviewed for an airbag recall. This is extremely dangerous.
Service brakes, Mar 14, 2022
JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (NO BRAKES APPLIED) AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT BAD AND LOST POWER BRAKES.
Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Service brakes, Mar 20, 2021
I PURCHASED THE CAR DROVE IT HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. 2 DAYS AFTER MY PURCHASE IT DRIVES VERY SLOW AND WON'T PICK UP SPEED.
Power train, Dec 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *BF
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
THERE THE CODE OF P1778 THAT KEEPS COMING UP ON ABOUT A CVT AND IFS AFFECTING THE DRIVE AND STRAIN THE TRANSMISSION I DONT UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE IS RECURRING.AND THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR HESITANT
Suspension, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 14, 2020
BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY MY AXEL AND BALL JOINT. THE CONTROL ARM DISCONNECTED FROM MY TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE PANELING IN FRONT MY TIRE. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN WHEN PUT IN NEUTRAL. WHEN I GO IN REVERSE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY CAR WOULD PUTTER AND THEN DIE. THE CAR WILL NOT REVERSE UNLESS I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL OUT FROM WHERE I AM.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON DASH WON'T GO OFF. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE... OVER 10 IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 3, 2020
DRIVING OVER AN HOUR AND THE CAR STARTS TO STRUGGLE, I CAN FEEL IT LOOSING POWER, IN ORDER TO NOT PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY, I'M DOING A GIVE N GO PRAYING I DONT STOP ON THE FREEWAY. I WOULD SOMETIMES FEEL JUMPING AND THAT I'M NOT IN FULL CONTROL AND IT HAS STOPPED ON ME IN A 15MINUTE DRIVE. I HAVE GOTTEN, A DIAGNOSTIC, 1TIME IT HAD 4DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION CODES AND ANOTHER A FUEL CODE. NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON, THIS STARTED AROUND THE 60,000 MILE I'M AT 90,000 NOW, SO YA, IT'S BEEN ROUGH.
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2020
MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING AND BRAKE LIGHT IS COMING ON
Air bags, Jul 12, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY WARNING THE OWNER THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT. OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE AFFECT BY RECALLS AND I BELIEVE THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2020
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF IT WAS IDLE WHEN IT CAME IN BUT IT IS CONSTANTLY BLINKING , THE HORN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CORNER, I GENERALLY REPLACED IT TWICE BUT IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AS I WAS SITTING IDLE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVEN AFTER I HAVE BEEN KEEPING THE MAINTENANCE UP ON IT.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IT SOMETHING TO DO WITH A 'COIL' THAT WENT BAD
Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED, THE RPM REVVED UP WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN INFINITI OF SAN FRANCISCO LOCATED AT 1395 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO NISSAN SERRAMONTE LOCATED AT 1500 COLLINS AVE #A, COLMA, CA 94014, FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Jan 7, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS IS DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSORS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2019
VEHICLE AIR BAG BEGAN FLASHING AND HORN STOPPED WORKING WHEN PRESSED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON AND BLINKING CONTINOUSLY. THE HORN ALSO STOPPED WORKING. FEELS VERY UNSAFE DRIVING WITHOUT A HORN. SINCE BOTH THE AIRBAG AND HORN ARE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND READING THROUGH SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I WOULD ASSUME THEY ARE RELATED. SHOULD BE RECALLED AS MANY OTHER NISSANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Aug 6, 2019
ON JUNE 20, 2016, I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REDONE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT NISSAN DID FOR THE CVT ENGINE. THE CAR DROVE FINE AND THEN IN THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST 2019 JUST 3 YRS LATER AND 40,00 MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP AGAIN AND WE ARE TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE SECOND TIME AT OUR COST. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN SENT OUT TO THE TECHNICIAN ON AUGUST 15, 2014 STATING THAT A 2007-2012 SENTRA WILL NEED A TRANSMISSION COOLER ADDED TO THE CVT TO PREVENT IT FROM OVERHEATING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DID NOT PUT THAT ON OUR CAR WHEN WE HAD OUR TRANSMISSION REDONE UNDER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2016, AND NOW BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY OUR TRANSMISSION IS OUT, AND NISSAN IS NOT WANTING TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
Air bags, May 22, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY ON DASH PANEL. CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO OUT. HAS BEEN RESET BUT COMES BACK ON AFTER DRIVING WITHIN SHORT DISTANCE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED IN FRONT AND I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY AS WE ARE AFRAID AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD FAIL SO QUICKLY. ALSO SEE ONLINE WHERE MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCEING SAME PROBLEM. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.
Power train, Apr 23, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2008 NISSAN SENTRA HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. IT'S A AUTOMATIC AND SOMETIMES IT DONT WANT TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN I GET AROUND 30 MPH. THEN I HAVE TO STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AGAIN AND IT WILL START WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO SOMETIMES WHILE I'M ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65-80 MPH THE RPM WILL FLUCTUATE FROM 2 TO 3 1/2 RPMS AND THEN OTHER TIMES WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL THE RPMS WILL STAY ABOVE 2 BUT MOSTLY 2 1/2 RPMS UNTIL I GET BELOW 15 MPH BEFORE IT DOWNSHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND ALL THE FLUID IS GOOD IN IT. IT NOW HAS AROUND 152,000 MILES ON IT BUT THE NISSAN COMPANY PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT A FEW YEARS AGO SO THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION DOESNT HAVE THAT MANY MILES ON IT AT ALL. I'VE SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR AND I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT ENDS UP TEARING MORE THAN THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF IT!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 5, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN SENTRA AND THE CAR WOULD SHAKE OUT IF NO WHERE NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE ANY MORE IT'S JUST STOPPED AND I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING, THEN HORN DIDN'T WORK; NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. I SEE SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS NOTED IN THE DATABASE. SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WITHOUT THE HORN.
Power train, Feb 13, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO CITY STREET. THE TORQUE CONVERTER GAVE OUT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPUTTERING AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHT, AND THEN THRUSTING FORWARD JOLTING TOWARD TRAFFIC. I NEARLY HAD TWO OTHER VEHICLES REAR END ME DURING SPUTTERING, AND I NEARLY HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE CAR THRUST FORWARD VIOLENTLY. I TURNED IN TO THE NEAREST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP WHO TOLD ME MY TORQUE CONVERTER BLEW AND I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE 82 DAYS AND NOW HAVE TO DO AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILD, WHICH AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH A CVT TRANSMISSION. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS, AS I ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN, MYSELF, AND OTHER DRIVERS/PASSENGERS ON THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND HAS ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. I DID NOT EVEN DRIVE 2,000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, AND I FULLY BELIEVE THESE CONSTANT VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS POSE A THREAT TO ANYONE OPERATING A VEHICLE, AND THAT THIS IS GROUNDS FOR A FACTORY RECALL OR AT THE LEAST ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNINGS. THANK YOU.