2013 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 638 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 24 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.
If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2016. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 16V242000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 20, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V681000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMar 25, 2014
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMar 1, 2013
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V069000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyMar 1, 2013
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Sentra vehicles manufactured from September 11, 2012, through October 4, 2012. Some fuel tank assemblies were not properly sealed during the manufacturing process. As a result, a small amount of gasoline may leak from the tank when it is full.
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V068000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
638 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Jun 7, 2013
WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CAR SEEMS TO CREEP FORWARD WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. I NEED TO CONTINUALLY APPLY MORE PRESSURE AND THE PEDAL BECOMES SPONGY. ALSO, I NOW NOTICE THAT WHEN STOPPED OR GOING SLOW, ENGINE FUMES ARE COMING FROM MY AIR/HEATING VENTS. DON'T KNOW IF ITS EXHAUST OR AN OIL LEAK SOMEWHERE. CAR ONLY HAS 400 MILES ON IT AND I'VE HAD CAR SINCE END OF FEBRUARY 2013. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE REAR BRAKE MADE ALSO EXHIBITED A LOUD METAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE BAND WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NOT TO RELEASE. THE DEALER CLEANED AND GREASED THE REAR BRAKES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE REAR BRAKES STILL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,518.
Service brakes, Jun 3, 2013
MY 2013 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 142 MILES ALREADY HAS PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICE BRAKES. I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE I NOTICED THAT MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PRESS A LITTLE BIT HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR STOPPED, BUT A FEW SECONDS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN. I KEPT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL A LITTLE BIT HARDER EVERY TIME IT STARTED TO MOVE, UNTIL THE PEDAL REACHED THE MAXIMUM TRAVEL, ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM, THE CAR KEPT ON MOVING FORWARD. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS INCHING AWAY INTO THE INCOMING TRAFFIC, SO I HAD TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THIS INCIDENT WAS VERY SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. NOW MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAITING FOR A NEW MASTER CYLINDER. WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW SUCH AN IMPORTANT / CRITICAL SYSTEM OF A BRAND NEW CAR COULD FAIL IN 4 DAYS, AND LESS THAN 150 MILES. ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS? *TR
Wheels, Service brakes, Jun 2, 2013
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL DECELERATING THE CAR, THE CAR SUDDENLY HAD A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL, LIKE THE BRAKE ROTOR GRINDING AGAINST SOME METAL PARTS THAT BROKE LOOSE INSIDE. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR INSPECTING PASSENGER REAR WHEEL AND FOUND NOTHING, I GOT BACK TO THE CAR SLOWLY ACCELERATING IT. THE LOUD GRINDING NOISE GOT WORSE AND I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL KINDA LIGHT (LIKE NOT ALL 4 BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED). I SUSPECT THE BRAKE SHOES OR COMPONENTS BROKE APART INSIDE THE BRAKE DRUM OF THE REAR WHEEL (PASSENGER SIDE). FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT SLOW SPEED (20-30MPH) AND ONLY ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM HOME. WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AS I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 7-8 MONTH FROM BRAND NEW. SINCE THIS IS AN ALL-NEW DESIGN 2013 SENTRA, I AM CONCERN THIS IS A FLAW ON THE BRAKE DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE EXTREME DANGEROUS HAZARDS ON THE ROAD. THOUGH MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER 36-MONTH BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, I AM STRONGLY ASKING TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE 2013 NISSAN SENTRA INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED / CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. THIS WOULD HELP NOT ONLY PROTECT MY FAMILY, MY INVESTMENT, BUT ALSO OTHERS FROM RUNNING INTO THE SAME INCIDENT OPERATING THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE ON 4/6 HEADED TO SC AT 5 AM WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE BY ITSELF. WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 45. THEN SUDDENLY IT WILL TAKE OFF. THE CAR DOES THIS AT RANDOM AND IT CANNOT BE DETECTED ON THE COMPUTER ACCORDING TO NISSAN. FRIDAY NIGHT THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. THIS TIME WAS WORST AND I WAS IN TRAFFIC WITH PEOPLE BEHIND ME. AS I STARTED TO PULL OFF FROM THE LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 25. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE FLASHERS ON PRAYED THAT I DID NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I AM CURRENTLY PAYING FOR A RENTAL BECAUSE NISSAN LITHIA SPRINGS REFUSED TO GIVE ME A RENTAL OR LOANER. I AM VERY DISTRESSED ABOUT THIS CAR. NISSAN LITHIA SPRINGS SAID THEY WOULD TRADE ME OUT THE CAR BUT WANTED TO TREAT IT AS A TRADE. WHY WOULD I PAY FOR TWO CARS WHEN MY SENTRA IS OBVIOUSLY A LEMON. I AM OTALLY FRUSTRATED I HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE AND KNOW ONE SEEMS TO CARE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 3/18. WENT TO SERVICE 4/8 PICKED UP 4/9 THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A IDLE PROGRAM. RETURNED TO SERVICE 4/11 AND WAS PICKED UP 4/24. I TOOK THE CAR BACK ON 4/26 AND IT IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DON'T RETURN PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS.
Service brakes, Apr 29, 2013
EXTREMELY LOUD INCREASING GRINDING REAR DRUMS BRAKES NOISE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE LOCAL SALE DISTRIBUTOR DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR THAT YET. THERE MAY BE A DEATH RISK CONCERN BECAUSE ARE THE BRAKES OF THE CAR ........... *TR
Air bags, Apr 21, 2013
AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. *TR
Engine, Mar 29, 2013
I PURCHASE THIS AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE LAST MONTH FROM A NISSAN DEALER. TODAY MORNING WHEN I LEFT HOME AT 5:40AM THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 25F AND WHEN I SWITCHED ON THE CAR AND PULLED IT TO THE DRIVE MODE SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED BY ITSELF. I THEN PULLED IT BACK IN THE PARKING GEAR AND REIGNED THE ENGINE AND LEFT HOME. I REACHED OUTSIDE MY HOUSE STOPPED TO TAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN! I FEEL SCARED DRIVING THIS CAR NOW ON FREEWAY AS I FEEL IT MAY STOP ANYTIME AND I MIGHT GET INTO A BIG CRASH. THERE IS A RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED ON THIS CAR YESTERDAY AND IT SAID THE FIRST PROBLEM I STATED ABOVE WHEN THE CAR IS MOVED FROM P TO D SOMETIMES IT STOPS BUT NOT THAT IT WOULD EVER STOP WHILE IN MOTION WHICH IS VERY VERY SCARY. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME AND ANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR. THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 18, 2013
THE PASSENGERS SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING AND WILL NOT ACTIVATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE AND THE GUY TOLD ME THAT MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS TOO SKINNY AND MAYBE THE SENSOR DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY SITTING IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN A CAR ACCIDENT IT WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK. THE CAR ALSO HAVE AN ANNOYING NOISE EACH TIME I HIT THE BREAKS IN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. IT HAVE BEEN 3 MONTHS AND 3 SERVICE VISITS AND SEVERAL CALLS TO SERVICE, DISTRIBUTORS, ETC. AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER ON HOW OR WHEN THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP USING THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE BRAKES HAVE GONE BLANK TWICE MAKING ME VERY NERVOUS OF USING THE CAR. STILL NO ANSWER FROM NISSAN. *TR
Engine, Mar 14, 2013
TOOK OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR STALLED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND IT RAN FINE. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME, BUT THE OTHERS WERE WHEN IT WAS PRETTY COLD OUTSIDE AND I DEEMED THAT THE REASON FOR THE STALL. NOW I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING MORE. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2013
I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AND LOST POWER. IT DID NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF BUT IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I HAD TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED BY THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME THAT WAS ALSO MAKING A LEFT TURN. I OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS AT THAT POINT. IT ONLY HAD 152 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE DEALERSHIP SENT A TOW. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW NISSAN CAN SELL A CAR THAT ISN'T PROPERLY PROGRAMMED? WHY WASN'T THE PROGRAMMING CHECKED PRIOR TO ME DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT? I WILL DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Air bags, Feb 28, 2013
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYING ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PERSON OVER 100LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYING ON THE DASHBOARD, WHILE IT IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AFTER 7 SECONDS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY 2/26/13.. THEY SAID IT IS A FAULTY CENSOR AND THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER WITH NO DEFINITE TIME LINE. *TR
Engine, Oct 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 419 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.