2017 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 230 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 29 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMar 3, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Campaign 21V135000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionAug 22, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 18V551000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 13, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
22 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jul 23, 2026
My 2017 Sentra is suffering from the exact silicone outgassing defect detailed in Recall 21V135000. My replacement switches keep failing because the car requires the updated protective grommet, but Nissan is excluding my VIN from receiving the campaign kit.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff. The contact stated that the message "Put Foot on Brake Pedal" was displayed. While standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle started. The failure recurred while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, the contact learned that the failure was a common failure and could be related to a sensor malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, the contact was later referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 20, 2025
When I go up hill my car doesn't Want to automatically shift, my rpms start revving, and the car won't go over 50 mph. It's been an on going issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2020. Ive taken it to nissan on more than a couple occasions and the assured me there was no issues. Now as of last week after I brake my car loses driving power but doesn't lose actual power. Now my check engine light is on.
Service brakes, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
The car experienced sudden lack of power in the middle gears and was unable to accelerate. At the same time it displayed the sliding car icon indicating a brake issue. It came and went for a couple of weeks and then just would not pick up speed in the middle gears. The car is a 6 speed manual. The code thrown was for a manifold control valve failure. We could not get Nissan to schedule a repair so we took it to an independent who had to replace the entire manifold as no service parts were otherwise available. They could find no reason for the sliding car icon to have kept coming on. Even after the manifold replacement it continues to do so at random times. It causes concern over the brakes which is disconcerting at the least. The sudden loss of acceleration while the problem was going on also caused a few scary moments. Nissan was contacted and declined to reimburse us nor did they offer to check the car. This car has been serviced by the dealer exclusively except for the manifold replacement and the service schedule was adhered to. It is a 2017 model and now has under 45,000 miles. It had about 41,000 when the problem occurred. No reason for such an early failure. It is a relatively rare model so no information was available.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 19, 2023
found out by someone else about recall on my car about the stop switch and transmission on car then took it to petro nissan and they told me they voided my recall and fixed it but it was never fixed because the situation has started on my car and with the transmssion started messing up with battery being drained with stop switch problem and my airbag light blinking off and on with me surfing the internet i found to where theres a recall on electrical ignition .air bags and with the brake light switch i need this solved asap please and will need a loaner are rental as its being fixed please again because every dealer i have been to and had check it refused to fix it without charging me alot of money
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 16, 2023
Pressing on the gas pedal would not accelerate the car. This was intermittent. With cruise control set, the car would no longer maintain the set speed. Both of these occurred repeatedly and while going different speeds. This lasted for 2+ weeks until the dealer was able to find the defect. Nothing was recorded on the car's error messages. The dealership was unable to find the cause and eventually called Nissan's engineering department at corporate. They were aware of the issue in other vehicles that would also stop accelerating and provided a possible solution to the Nissan dealership. The dealer charged us to replace a "brake switch" which was randomly triggering a braking event even though the brake pedal was not touched or engaged.
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2022, crash
part 2 of my first complaint about the 2017 Nissan Sentra. There is a bug in my car and I hired 'bug sweeper USA' to find the bug and remove it and they said there isn't a bug and to die. I am frightened and want the bug/transmitter removed, it is against the law in the united states and I want them arrested. I have to trade it up for a better car because I found out that it doesn't have front real drive. This car has terrible blind spots and rear drum breaks. I didn't notice that before it or I wouldn't have bought it. I feel unsafe also because it is terrible going up hills and accelerating. I test drove it on flat roads. I think these cars should be remove from the road and discontinued. I have never bought a car this terribly engineered. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 22, 2022, crash
i got thiz note couple weeks late you guys dinr warn me its was defective i crashed for this recal reason the lights war having problems when iwas driving and of and on and the emgine started to rev and the saftey to turn steering wheel locked and i crashed veichle turn of while that happen then slamed into side walk and firehidrant frip me over i lost my car becausebof thiz now tjat i got this recal youguys destroid my confort now i panic and lost my car
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 2, 2021
On several occasions rear brake lights fail to function and car will not start.no warning it just happens on occasion. We understand there is a recall on matter however have not received a recall. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 5, 2021
About 6 months ago I had the brake light switch repaired because my car wouldn’t start due to the brake lights not coming on. So yesterday I’m almost was rear ended due to m break lights not coming on, and then got stranded at midnight , by myself, out of town. Finally I put both of my feet on the break and pushed as hard as I could and it started. Called Nissan in Tracy, CA they stated there’s no fix and to have it towed there if it won’t start. Well what if someone slams into me? They also did not offer to change the switch like the safety recall states they should. This dealership has now put my safety and my children’s safety at risk.
Service brakes, Mar 19, 2021
WE PURCHASED A USED 2017 NISSAN SENTRA IN APRIL 2019. IT CURRENTLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT, AND FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT SOFT BRAKES. THE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. MECHANIC HAD PROBLEMS DIAGNOSING IT BECAUSE IT WAS INTERMITTENT. FINALLY HE REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND FLUSHED AIR OUT OF THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN ISSUE STARTED UP AGAIN. STILL TRYING TO GET THE MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2021, crash
THE CAR'S BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR HIT ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD (IT WAS SNOWING) THEN IT CUT 3 LANES AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HIT THE WALL AGAIN. THE IMPACT WAS HIGH, THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR DAMAGE BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
Service brakes, Jul 13, 2020
WHILE STATIONARY, VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE WITH PUSH START THERE ARE ALSO NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PERIODICALLY THE ABS LIGHT WILL TURN ON, WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE TYPES OF ROADS, FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS BEGAN APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGAIN IN 2019 AND HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE AND WON'T START DAILY. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEREFORE WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. AT THE TIME THE ISSUE BEGAN MY CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER CAR OWNERS, HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE ALREADY???
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 19, 2020
MY CAR IS HAVING THE ISSUE WHERE WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED IT DOES NOT DETECT IT AND THE CAR WILL NOT START, ALSO THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS REMAIN ON THERE ARE OTHER CARS THAT NISSAN IS RECALLING FOR THE SAME ISSUE YET THIS ONE HAS YET TO GET A RECALL MAKING IT A VERY UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE ISSUE
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 3, 2019
WHEN IN A STATIONARY POSITION AND OFF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC START WILL NOT START THE CAR EVEN WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PETAL AND PRESSING THE AUTOMATIC START BUTTON. THE CAR WILL CYCLE THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD TO SAY - PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESS THE START BUTTON. THE CAR WILL NOT START. INSTEAD IT WILL CYCLE THROUGH THE RADIO COMING ON AND THE DASH ILLUMINATING AND THEN TO OFF. THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT FIRST OCCURRED ON 11/26/19, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FIRST OCCASION WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE OUR HOME GARAGE. SECOND OCCASION WAS DIRECTLY FOLLOWING OCCASION 1 AS WE ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. THE THIRD WAS ON 12/3/19, AS WE ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE A METRO PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE 3-4 ATTEMPTS AND FULL CYCLES (5 MINUTES) TO START THE CAR.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS RELATED TO THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SCENE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO O'NEIL NISSAN (849 STREET RD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974, (215) 674-9300). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service brakes, Sep 12, 2019
MY 2017 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 37,000 MILES WILL NOT START. I HAVE THE KEYLESS IGNITION AND WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR I KEEP GETTING A MESSAGE TO PRESS THE BRAKES. I HAVE THE BRAKE PEDDLE PRESSED BUT CAR DOES NOT REGISTER THAT. I WORRY THAT THE BRAKES ARE GOING TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. IF I KEEP PRESSING THE PEDDLE EVENTUALLY THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR THE PAST 3-4 WEEKS.
Service brakes, Aug 24, 2019
TAMARA RECALL: MY CAR HAS THE PUSH BUTTON START AND I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED IT WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT USED TO ONLY HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND AS OF YESTERDAY IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRY TO TURN ON MY CAR. I PUSH THE BRAKE AND PUSH THE BUTTON AND EVERYTHING WILL LIGHT UP BUT THE CAR WON'T TURN ON. THEN THE PUSH BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND PUSH START BUTTON COMES ON AND I TRY IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE BRAKE IS REALLY HARD TO PUSH DOWN AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO PUSH IT IN FAR ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY START IT. AFTER CONTINUOUSLY PUSHING THE BRAKE AND THIS BUTTON AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND JIGGLING THE BRAKE FOR LIKE 10 MINUTES I MIGHT FINALLY GET IT TO COME ON IF I'M LUCKY. I'VE SEEN ONLINE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE BUT NOTHING TELLS ME HOW I CAN GO ABOUT FIXING IT.
Service brakes, Jun 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO BILL RAY NISSAN (LOCATED AT 2724 N US HWY 17 92, LONGWOOD, FL 32750, (407) 831-1318) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,800.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 18, 2019
BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, IT INTEREMITTENTLY DETECTS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PRESSED AND ALLOWS THE CAR TO START. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND SOMETIMES IT WOLL NOT ACTIVATE AT ALL. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES IF I PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. SOMETIMES IF I HAVE THE DOOR OPEN AND PRESS THE PEDAL THE CAR WILL START=, SOMETIMES THERE IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL
Wheels, Service brakes, Sep 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3715 SINGING HILLS BLVD, SIOUX CITY, IA 51106, (712) 560-4511) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BRAKED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Service brakes, Jun 3, 2018
BRAKE BOOSTER. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. STILL MAKING SOME NOISE (LIKE AIR) EVERY TIME YOU PRESS THE PEDAL.