2003 Nissan Sentra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Sentra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine10747.8%
- Electrical3515.6%
- Fuel system188.0%
- Airbags167.1%
- Body & structure83.6%
- Brakes73.1%
- Driver assistance62.7%
- Transmission52.2%
- Powertrain (other)41.8%
- Exterior lighting31.3%
- Other / unspecified31.3%
- Suspension31.3%
- Steering20.9%
- Visibility20.9%
- Interior & seats20.9%
- Seat belts10.4%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Both my catalytic converters stopped up st same time.
The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .
PCM ECM ECU ENGINEERING FLAW. ENGINE KICKS INTO SAFE MODE WHILE IN OPERATION OR COMPLETELY STALLS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN RESTARTS WILL MISFIRE. DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY CONTROL MODULE (THE SECOND ONE IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT)
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .
FLOOR MAT HOLDER BROKE, FLOOR MAT SLIDES UP UNDER GAS PEDAL, CAUSING U.N. CONTROLLED ACCELERATION MULTIPLE TIMES
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 NIssan Sentra. Consumer writes in regards to Airbag Safety Recall. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE LENGTHY REPAIR.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEALER NEARBY TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL BACK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA AND I HIT A DEER, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUT TOWER FAILED AND THE TIRE NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 12/1/2015 *JS
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. HEAD GASKET AND CRANK POSITION SENSOR PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 3 MONTH, ONCE ON A HIGHWAY, ONCE ON A LOCAL EXPRESSWAY. 2. AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM ABOVE, BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WITHIN 2 MILES DRIVING, LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A BEARING THAT FAILED AND A COUPLE OF PUSH RODS BAD. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND START A FILE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE OIL BURNING IN THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. HE FELT THAT HIS ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE 2006 SENTRAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,321. UPDATED 02-12-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLOOR MAT HOLDER BROKE, FLOOR MAT SLIDES UP UNDER GAS PEDAL, CAUSING U.N. CONTROLLED ACCELERATION MULTIPLE TIMES
I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF FROM A LOW GEAR TO A VERY HIGH GEAR, LEAVING ME WITH NO TORQUE. THE NEXT GEAR WOULDNT LOCK-IN UNTIL RPMS HIT REDLINE, AND EVEN THEN IT WOULD FEEL LIKE ITS SLIPPING, OR MAYBE ITS IN OVERDRIVE GEAR(4TH) WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 3RD.. AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP... THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOURE ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL ONLY MOVE 40 MPH. AND ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN CLIMBING HILLS/FREEWAY OVERPASS, BECAUSE THERES NO TORQUE TO GET UP THE HILL, AND THE TRANSMISSION WONT PUT ITSELF IN LOW GEAR UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP... I THINK ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY... IF IT WAS MECHANICAL, I WOULDVE FELT IT SLIPPING GRADUALLY, AND IT NEVER SLIPS. I JUST DROVE IT A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE TO THE BAY AREA AND IT CLIMBED THE HILLS SMOOTHLY, NO PROBLEM.. I HAVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SO IDK WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE...
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MAY 15, TRAVELING TOGETHER ON A SIDE STREET AT 30-35 MPH, MY WIFE INADVERTENTLY TAPPED THE SHIFTER. THE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY WENT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER AT THAT TIME AS THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME, AND I WAS TRAVELING FAIRLY SLOWLY. I MOVED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO DRIVE AND CONTINUED HOME. THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS EVENT, THE MORE WORRIED I BECAME. SUPPOSING I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, IN THE PASSING LANE, WITH A TRUCK BEARING DOWN ON MY REAR? IF THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY BEGIN A DRASTIC SLOWDOWN, AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON! BY THE TIME I GOT IT BACK INTO GEAR AND THE TRUCK DRIVER FIGURED OUT I WAS STOPPING DEAD IN FRONT OF HIM, HIS TRUCK COULD LITERALLY BE ON TOP OF MY CAR. ON MAY 19, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. PRIOR TO THAT I HELD A TEST AND FOUND THAT I COULD ALSO MOVE THE CAR FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUTTON! THE DANGER IN THIS IS OBVIOUS, ESPECIALLY FOR ANY OWNER WITH SMALL CHILDREN. I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR THE ENTIRE STORY, AND MY CONCERNS WERE ADDED TO THE WORK ORDER. WHEN MY CAR WAS RETURNED, I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED. I HAVE THIS IN WRITING ON THE WORK ORDER. I WENT TO THE NISSAN WEB-SITE AND TOLD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT MY PROBLEM. THEIR ANSWER WAS THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND I SHOULD CALL OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I ALSO HAVE THIS E-MAIL SAVED. A MANUFACTURER DESIGNS A TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD ALLOW A LIGHT TAP ON THE SHIFTER TO RESULT IN MOVING FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND VICE VERSA? AND THEN, WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A DANGEROUS SITUATION, SAYS, WELL, THATS THE WAY IT IS! THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS.*AK
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA S-ER SPEC V. WHEN I SHIFT FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AT RPMS OF 2500 AND HIGHER, THE SHIFTER FEELS LIKE IT POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL A GRIND (WITH THE CLUTCH DOWN). THESE 2 PROBLEMS HAPPEN ON OCCASION, ESPECIALLY ON A COLD START. HOWEVER, I CAN ACTUALLY MAKE MY CAR GRIND GEARS BY HOLDING THE CLUTCH DOWN AND MOVING THE SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF 3RD GEAR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF FROM A LOW GEAR TO A VERY HIGH GEAR, LEAVING ME WITH NO TORQUE. THE NEXT GEAR WOULDNT LOCK-IN UNTIL RPMS HIT REDLINE, AND EVEN THEN IT WOULD FEEL LIKE ITS SLIPPING, OR MAYBE ITS IN OVERDRIVE GEAR(4TH) WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 3RD.. AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP... THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOURE ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL ONLY MOVE 40 MPH. AND ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN CLIMBING HILLS/FREEWAY OVERPASS, BECAUSE THERES NO TORQUE TO GET UP THE HILL, AND THE TRANSMISSION WONT PUT ITSELF IN LOW GEAR UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP... I THINK ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY... IF IT WAS MECHANICAL, I WOULDVE FELT IT SLIPPING GRADUALLY, AND IT NEVER SLIPS. I JUST DROVE IT A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE TO THE BAY AREA AND IT CLIMBED THE HILLS SMOOTHLY, NO PROBLEM.. I HAVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SO IDK WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE...
THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR IS MESSED UP AND KEEPS TURNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR P0444 AND HAD A SHOP CHECK IT AND REPLACE THE PART AND IT'S STILL COMING ON. IT WIL TRIP THE CODE SITTING IN NEUTRAL AND OR DRIVING LESS THEN 5 MILES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY OF 2004. SINCE THEN, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND VARIOUS FUSES HAVE BLOWN AT LEAST 3 TIMES EACH. LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD FIND, AND THEY HAD REPLACED THE FUSES. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE SAME FUSES BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO "OPEN RECALLS" ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES. THIS ACTUALLY BLEW MY ENGINE, WHICH DEALERSHIP RELACED. THE FUSE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTENT.
HAZARD LIGHTS AND SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SER. FROM DAY 1, I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE..I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. UPON MANY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, ONE OF THEM WAS FOR THE ECM, YEARS LATER THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME BACK. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT THEY ALREADY FIXED IT WITH THE RECALL. BUT THEY DID NOT. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT EVEN SAFE AT THIS POINT TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WILL NOT ASSIST ME AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. IT WAS A RECALL THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE.. *TR
MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE A VERY LONG CRANKING PERIOD WHEN STARTING THE BACK IN 6/2007, TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP THEY NOTHING WAS WRONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP THREE TIME BETWEEN 6/2007 AND 10/2007 AND EVERYTIME THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IN 11/2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER IN 11/2008 THE STARTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN THEY FIXED THE ISSUE, NOW IN 3/2009 THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS YOU WOULD THINK NISSAN WOULD DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS GETTING VERY OLD BECAUSE NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUT TOWER FAILED AND THE TIRE NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 12/1/2015 *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A BEARING THAT FAILED AND A COUPLE OF PUSH RODS BAD. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND START A FILE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE OIL BURNING IN THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. HE FELT THAT HIS ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE 2006 SENTRAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,321. UPDATED 02-12-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN LESS THAN 53,000 MILES THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS BEGUN LEAKING RESULTING IN HARD STEERING. I HAVE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID REGULARLY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER A NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN COULD BE HEARD. ALSO, WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE STEERED TO THE RIGHT. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING. VEHICLE, AT TIMES, HESITATED AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *AK *MR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA GXE ON JUNE 10, 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE 7 WORK ORDERS ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT EACH TIME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SHOW THE PROBLEM AND THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW, A DING THEY PUT IN THE HOOD, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO STICKER GAS MILEAGE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR NO REASON FOUND AND NOW THERE'S A RECALL ON THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF YET. *LA
I PURCHASED MY SENTRA IN DEC OF 2002. ONE WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT IN BECAUSE IT CLUNKED WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. FIXED THE CLUNK. STARTED TO NOTICE THAT 2 QTS OF ENGINE OIL WAS GONE AND THE COOLANT LEVEL KEPT DROPPING EVEN THOUGH I KEPT POURING MORE IN. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, CLAIMED THERE WAS AIR BUBBLE IN ENGINE AND TO LET IT GO. STILL NOTICING ENGINE OIL SMELL AND COOLANT LEVEL LOW. DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS, HAD RUN CHANNEL REPLACED TWICE. AROUND 7000 MI, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANNY SQUEAKED B/W 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES, CLAIM TO TIGHTEN MOUNT BOLTS, BELTS, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. STILL SQUEAKING. REAR BUMPER IS NOW FALLING OFF AND GEAR SHIFT IS STARTING TO STICK. HAD REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED AT 7500 MI AND AGAIN AT 11000 MI. BRAKES STILL SEAM SPONGY AND LOSE STOPPING ABILITY. BEEN TO DEALER AROUND 20 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY OF 2004. SINCE THEN, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND VARIOUS FUSES HAVE BLOWN AT LEAST 3 TIMES EACH. LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD FIND, AND THEY HAD REPLACED THE FUSES. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE SAME FUSES BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO "OPEN RECALLS" ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES. THIS ACTUALLY BLEW MY ENGINE, WHICH DEALERSHIP RELACED. THE FUSE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTENT.
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON JUNE 25, 2004. A LADY REAR-ENDED ME AND AS A RESULT MY ENTIRE BACK SEAT CAME LOOSE. MY CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE TRUNK FROM THE INTERIOR SO THE BACKSEAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO COME LOOSE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN OF MINE SEEING AS THOUGH I HAVE A SMALL CHILD THAT HAS BEEN RIDING IN THE BACKSEAT AND FORTUNATELY WAS NOT IN THE CAR THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN MAY 2003 WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT. SO FAR I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE SEAT WILL BE "FIXED", BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ANY LONGER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES FOR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED GRUBBS NISSAN REPLACED THE SEATBELT RETRACT ON 6/15/07 AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER STATED TO HAVE THE SENSOR CONTROL MODULE REPLACE AT THE COST OF $800 AND THE CONSUMER DECLINED. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES TIRE ON THE FRONT RIGHT PEALING OFF.THIS PROCESS IS HAPPENING ON THE OUTSIDE TREAD. THE TIRE HAS NOT GONE FLAT YET, BUT IS AFRAID THAT IT WILL. ALSO, CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO. CONTINENTAL CONTI SPORT CONTACT TIRES, 215 45 R 17 WITH 253 MILES ON THEM. EVENTHOUGH THERE IS NO RECALL CONSUMER THINKS THAT TEHRE SHOULD BE ONE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY AIR CONDITION (A/C) WILL NOT TURN OFF ALL THE TIME. I WILL TURN ON THE HEAT WITHOUT THE (A/C) BUTTON ON AND I FEEL THE A/C KICK IN. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .