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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 230

Of the 2017 reports, 29 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train76 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints230Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train76
  2. Engine48
  3. Other or unspecified37
  4. Electrical system33
  5. Vehicle speed control32
  6. Air bags26
  7. Service brakes22
  8. Exterior lighting15

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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: vehicle speed control

32 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2019

    WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL DISENGAGE ON ITS OWN. WHEN IT DISENGAGES ON ITS OWN, THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS AS MUCH AS 10 MPH IN 1 TO 2 SECONDS. ALSO WHEN IT DISENGAGES ON ITS OWN, THE TACHOMETER WILL BLIP UP AND DOWN BEFORE THE ENGINE RESTORES THE POWER TO THE WHEELS.

  2. Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2019

    I WAS DRIVING ON THE BYPASS TO GET FROM CHICAGO TO INDIANA WHEN I FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS BEING SHIFTED SO AS I WAS SHIFTING TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE INTO A DITCH, I ENDED UP ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AS SOON AS A STOPPED AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OUT ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE ALONG THE WINDOWS. I LET ME CAR PPL KNOW ABOUT AND THEY TOLD ME BY MY CAR BEING LIGHT WEIGHT, I COULD BE GOING 45MPH, IF THE WIND IS STRONG THEN IT CAN POSSIBLY KNOCK ME OFF THE ROAD BUT I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IF I WAS GOING FAST, MY CAR PROBABLY WOULD'VE FLIPPED OVER! AND WHEN I DRIVE, THE FLOOR MATS BE SLIDING UNDER THE GAS PEDALS AND STUFF AND NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED, MY SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED IN THE FRONT

  3. Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 6, 2019, crash, fire

    I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 15K CASH THAT DAY, 45 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY I HAVE AN OPTION FOR ECO MODE AND BOOST MODE, I WENT TO TURN ON ECO MODE AND NOTHING I HIT IT AGAIN NOTHIN, 3RD TIME THE ECO LIGHT CAME ON, THEN I GO FOR CRUZE CONTROL , 1,2,3,4 TRYS NOTHIN ON 5TH IT WORKED, IM DOING 70 ON RHE HWY AND ITS NOW 75 I WENT TO HIT ACCELERATE 1 TIME IT IT FLEW INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER PERSON , AND INSTANTLY WHEN I HIT ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL WAS FLOORED AND DIDNT HAVE TIME TO TURN OFF. I DO TRULY FEEL RHIS IS A LEMON CAR AND NOW 16K IN THE HOLD AND NO CAR

  4. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURES OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF RICHMOND (11401 W BROAD ST, HENRICO, VA 23233, (804) 346-4200) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,346.

  5. Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2018

    WHEN ACCELERATING, IT NOSE DIVES AT AROUND 30 TO 45 MPH, DEPENDING ON HOW HARD ONE IS ACCELERATING. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY A SHIFT SENSOR BECAUSE IT ACTS LIKE IT LETS GO OF THE GEAR AND AFTER A SECOND OR TWO IT ENGAGES INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME ONE WANTS TO GO OVER 50 MPH. ALSO, WHEN COMING A COMPLETE STAND STILL STOP AND THEN STAR TO ACCELERATE, IT HESITATES A BIT AND IT MAKES A BUMPING MOVEMENT, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR AUTOMATICALLY, AND DOES IT SO AFTER ONE PRESSES ON THE ACCELERATOR, THUS CAUSING IT TO DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST FROM 3RD AND I BELIEVE THIS IS WHY I FEEL THE BUMPING MOVEMENT AND SLIGHT HESITATION TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE NOT STUDIED IT TO PINPOINT WHY OR WHEN IT WILL DO THIS, BUT I CAN TELL RIGHT BEFORE IT IS GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE IT IS IN 3RD GEAR AND WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE, THE CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS IT WOULD IF IT WAS IN 1ST GEAR.

  6. Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2017

    NISSAN SENTRA 2017 THE GEAR JAMS WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE, DRIVE, AND BACKING UP FROM DRIVE WAY. VEHICLE HAS A VERY SLOW TAKE OFF UNTILL YOU PICK UP SPEED AT 40 MPH. BUT NOT ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS UP CARS,TRUCKS IN ENOUGH TIME AND THAT IS STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE BOTTOM.

  7. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 8, 2017

    CAR IS DANGEROUSLY SLOW TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. EVEN WITH FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE PAST 40MPH FOR ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS, WHICH IN DRIVING, IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY.