Nissan Sentra Engine problems
75 of the 904 complaints about the Nissan Sentra (8.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's #7 problem area. That share is 0.4× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (22, 12% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (3). 12 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 13 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “cvt”, “engine”, “transmission”, “pulley” and “consumer affairs”. 3 of these reports (4.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 12 · Previous 12 months: 13
Common terms in reports
- cvt9
- engine34
- transmission18
- pulley4
- consumer affairs4
- settlement3
What owners report
I had brought my car up to the dealership for an oil change, and they said there was a recall on the tie rods. They said they checked them out, but never gave me paperwork for it. And I’ve looked it up and it said no recall have been serviced on.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the push to start button and brake pedal was depressed but the engine failed to start.
While driving in rush hour traffic, I heard an intermittent vibration/noise that seemed to come and go and became louder when I stopped. As I put my car in park when I got home, I heard a loud clunk and the battery light came on.
I purchased this car around January 2025 & around August 2025 I started having battery issues. It’s currently March 2026. I have to keep having the battery jumped at.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and unintendedly decelerated. The vehicle was driven to the parking lot and came to a complete stop.
My car would cut off on me and all the lights would turn on and the engine light. It would shake then slow down and cut off. It happened to me while driving on the freeway. I was able to cut it back on before accident happened.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Nissan Sentra
- Electrical210
- Steering126
- Transmission / powertrain110
- Interior & equipment94
- Brakes92
- Driver-assist systems78
- Engine75
Nissan Sentra problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Nissan Sentra?
75 of the 904 complaints about the Nissan Sentra (8.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's #7 problem area. That share is 0.4× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Nissan Sentra model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (22, 12% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (3).
Is there a recall for Nissan Sentra Engine problems?
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.