2009 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 55 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 9 involved a crash. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
Representative owner complaints
55 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED MANUALLY IN ORDER TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 10, 2015
APPROX. 5/26/15 AFTER OPENING AND TRYING TO FUEL MY CAR AT THE GASOLINE STATION I NOTICED THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS LOOSE. THIS STATION (USA GASOLINE) HAD RECENTLY INSTALLED NEW NOZZLES ON THE GAS PUMPS. DUE TO THE LOOSE FILLER TUBE ON MY CAR, I HAD TO DRIVE TO AN ARCO STATION TO COMPLETE THE FUELING OF MY CAR. ON 6/10/15 DURING NORMAL MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE, CHECK FLUIDS, ETC) I ASKED THE SHOP TO REPAIR THE LOOSE FUEL FILLER TUBE. THEY REFUSED, SAYING I HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER. I DROVE TO THE NISSAN SHOP, THEY SAID I HAD TO CALL NISSAN NORTH AMERICA FOR AUTHORIZATION. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL OR ANY NOTICE ABOUT FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEMS, MY NISSAN WARRANTY EXPIRED 3/25/15. SHOULDN'T FUEL SYSTEMS BE COVERED UNDER SOME TYPE OF SAFETY DESIGNATION? MY NISSAN SENTRA 2009 HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON ODOMETER, SHOULDN'T FUEL SYSTEMS PROBLEMS BE CONSIDERED A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP?
Air bags, Apr 4, 2015
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ALERT BLINKING. NISSAN CLAIMS NO RECALL AND STATES THAT THEY MUST REPLACE THE AIR BAG IN ORDER TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. MY CAR IS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS; WHAT CONSTITUTES A MANDATORY RECALL? MUST CONSUMERS WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INCIDENTS BEFORE IT IS DETERMINED A FAULTY PART? *TR
Service brakes, Dec 25, 2014, crash
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO BRAKE VIBRATION AND INSTABILITY AND HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND MY SON DIED IN THE ACCIDENT DUE TO SEVERER INJURIES
Tires, Wheels, Dec 9, 2014
WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40F LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. TIRE PRESSURE IS FINE UPON CHECKING. *TR
Engine, Nov 24, 2014
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE BELTWAY ABOUT 1 MILE PRIOR TO THE EXIT, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ALONG WITH ANY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND GET TOWED TO A DEALER (NOT NISSAN) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A "BLOWN ENGINE". HAD TRANSFERRED THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR WARRANTY DISPOSITION AND DIAGNOSIS. HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 1 MONTH FOR AN ANSWER. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN CORPORATE AND REGIONAL PERSONNEL AND SEEM TO BE GETTING THE RUN AROUND. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 18, 2014
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK WITH CAR REMOTE. BATTERY WAS CHANGED IN REMOTES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. KEY TO OVERRIDE DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. AFTER HITTING THE OPEN LOCK BUTTON ON KEY REMOTE FOR 5 MIN NON STOP IT FINALLY OPENED ALL DOORS. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I REFUSE TO LOCK CAR ANYMORE UNTIL I CAN GET TO DEALER TO REPAIR THE LOCKS AND REMOTE LOCK SENSORS. *TR
Steering, Sep 26, 2014
WHILE CROSSING THE STREET FROM ONE PARKING LOT TO ANOTHER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON MY 09 NISSAN SENTRA. WAS GOING LESS THAT 5MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED AT ALL. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND WAS IN DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 30 OR 40 SECONDS ATTEMPTING TO TURN STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY IT FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL . DROVE CAR ABOUT 50 MILES BACK HOME WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.. TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND AFTER LOOKING AT IT MOST OF THE DAY THE SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANY DISTANCE OR SPEED. *TR
Engine, Aug 6, 2014
CARS SPUTTERED, DIED. RE-STARTED SEVERAL TIMES, DROVE TO SAVE PLACED PULLED OVER. THE INTAKE DUCK WAS MISSING. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED ON THE CAR ARE NISSAN DEALERS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2014
BRAKES MAKE LOUD SQUEALING AND GRINDING NOISE STARTING AS LITTLE AS 8 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES EVEN WHEN PADS AND ROTORS ARE FINE. THE STEERING COLUMN POPS AND JOLTS SLIGHTLY WHEN TURNING STARTING AT 27 THOUSAND MILES. THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TAKING MODERATE TO HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS AT ANY SPEED. ONE TIRE SENSOR HAS ALREADY GONE BAD AT 20 THOUSAND MILES. *TR
Service brakes, May 29, 2014
ANY TIME YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES THEY HAVE A VERY LOUD SQUEAL WHEN BACKING UP. (BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT). HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES WHILE BACKING UP TO GET SQUEAL TO STOP. HAS DONE THIS SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 TO DATE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A NISSAN DEALER, LOOK AT THE BRAKES AT LEAST 10+ TIMES AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES. ALSO WHEN YOU STEP ON BRAKES WHILE DRIVING TO COME TO A STOP THERE IS A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. AGAIN NOTHING FOUND BY NISSAN DEALER. *TR
Steering, Mar 1, 2014
SEVERAL MONTHS OF INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS AND STEERING WOULD NOT RETURN UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON. CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WHEN HAPPENS. FINALLY LOST STEERING ON 2-21-14 AND DID NOT COME BACK AFTER TURNING CAR ON AND OFF. NEEDED TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN PART NO 48810-ZT50A PART COST $1,944.83 LABOR $439.75. TOOK TO GARAGE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE UNTIL STEERING WAS FINALLY LOST FOR GOOD. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO AN ACCIDENT IF HAPPENED DURING TURNS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2014
I CLOSED MY PASSENGER DOOR AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT/REAR SEATS AND DOORS. CAR WAS PARKED AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. UPDATED 1/29/14*CN UPDATED 01/29/14
Service brakes, Jan 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 20, 2013
AT FIRST THE REAR DOORS STARTED NOT TO UNLOCK, NOW ALL THE DOORS EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE POWER LOCKS. YOU MUST MANUALLY FLIP EACH LOCK TO OPEN THE DOORS. *TR
Suspension, May 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER COMPLETING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 9, 2013, crash
THE FRONT AND DRIVERS SIDE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED IN MY 2009 NISSAN SENTRA AFTER BEING HIT BY A FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THERE WERE INJURIES FROM THE DRIVER OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS IN THE CAR SHATTERED AND DOOR WAS COMPLETELY CRUSHED. THE TYROD IN THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS WELL AS SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO FRAME UNDER THE DOOR AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AFTER IMPACT. *TR
Steering, Jan 5, 2013
MY GIRL FRIEND WAS DRIVING ARE, 2009 NISSAN SENTRA AT ABOUT 40 MPH , SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN,THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN , SO SHE HAD TO GO STRAIGHT ,AND TRY TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THE PROBLEM IS THE ELECTRIC MOTOR (SERVO) SHORTING OUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN . TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE HOLE STEERING COLUMN . THE SERVO AND POWER STEERING COMPUTER ARE ATTACHED. FACTORY PART COST 1600.00$ &600.00$ LABOR TO INSTALL. *TR
Steering, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 2 MPH MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN, A CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,620.
Tires, Jan 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ILLUMINATED A LOW PRESSURE READING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE REPEATED FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Air bags, Wheels, Oct 15, 2011, crash
SO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY. MY SPEED WAS 40MPH WHEN I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY, AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN ONE OF MY BACK TIRE ON THE RIGHT POP. MY CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE 180 DEGREES TURN. SO I END UP ROLLING MY CAR. LUCKILY THEIR WAS NO ONE COMING FROM OTHER LANE. AT THE END I WAS SURPRISE THAT NONE OF MY AIRBAG DEPLOY. ALSO MY CAR GOT TOTAL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 5, 2011
I PURCHASED AN 09 SENTRA BRAND NEW SEPT 24TH 09 SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BRAKE THEY GRIND AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THEY FIXED IT AROUND 8200 MILES AND IT STARTED AGAIN 7 THOUSAND LATER. ORIGINALLY THEY SAID THE PADS WERE GLAZED AND THE ROTORS HAD HOTSPOTS! ANYWAY MAYBE ITS THE TYPE OF PADS THEY USE. IM TIRED OF IT AND JUST WANT SMOOTH BRAKING. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE BY 09 NISSAN OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME THING. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF YOU HAVE TO BRAKE FAST THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NO PRIOR FAILURES AND THIS FAILURE WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES AND THAT IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,070. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/16/11
Air bags, Sep 29, 2010, crash
2009 NISSAN SENTRA FRONTAL IMPACT 40MPH WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Sep 19, 2010
MY CAR SWERVES TOO MUCH ON THE FREEWAY. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2009, I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR. EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I AM STILL SCARED I AM GOING TO DIE DUE TO THE CAR. THE SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS I AM TAKEN THE CAR TO HAVE CLAIMED THERE IS NO PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT TOO. *TR