RoadVitals

2008 Nissan Sentra Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Mar 29, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 167 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Nissan Sentra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 29, 2020

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF IT WAS IDLE WHEN IT CAME IN BUT IT IS CONSTANTLY BLINKING , THE HORN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CORNER, I GENERALLY REPLACED IT TWICE BUT IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AS I WAS SITTING IDLE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVEN AFTER I HAVE BEEN KEEPING THE MAINTENANCE UP ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11319679
Incident
Aug 30, 2018
Electrical
Filed Feb 16, 2017
Fire reported

I JUST PICKED MY DAUGHTER UP FROM HER BUS STOP WHEN I WAS LEAVING HER BUS STOP TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HARBOR NISSAN WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND UNDER THE HOOD STARTED SMOKING AND CAUSED A FIRE (I HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 DAYS)BECAUSE I HAD BEEN HAVING EXHAUST ISSUES AS WELL WITH THE ALL MY DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING AND STALLING WHILE IN MOTION ON 2 HIGHWAYS ON 2 SEPERATE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID
10954994
Incident
Feb 14, 2017
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10862154
Incident
Sep 19, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 30, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRAME DAMAGE. DURING A SECOND INCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOISED A THIRD TIME FOR AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10852410
Incident
Aug 1, 2008
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS PUT BACK IN PLACE AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10726956
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 12, 2015
Fire reported

I WAS OPERATING MY VEHICLE ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE IN STUDIO CITY, CALIFORNIA WHEN THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABRUPTLY FOLLOWED A FEW SECONDS LATER WITH A LOUD EXPLOSION. DEBRIS AND OIL SPRAYED ONTO MY HOOD AND I HAD TO NEARLY AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY AND PULL TO THE SIDE. IT WAS AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. MY FATHER WHO WAS FOLLOWING ME RAN TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO CALM THE FLAMES WHILE I CALLED 911. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON FIRE WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND OPEN THE HOOD. UNDER THE HOOD YOU CAN SEE A FIRE STARTING FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND BATTERY AREA LEADING TO THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS A FEW DAYS LATER BY MY INSURANCE. IT APPEARED THE BATTERY OVERHEATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671964
Incident
Dec 28, 2014
Mileage
94,048 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2014

I WENT TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE & THE MILEAGE READ 87,026. WHEN I DID A CARFAX CHECK THE LAST MILEAGE DOCUMENTED WAS 125,615. IT LOOKS LIKE THE OWNER MAY HAVE ROLLED BACK THE MILES. WHO CAN I REPORT THIS TO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10644296
Incident
Oct 12, 2014
Mileage
87,026 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 16, 2014

I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN JUNE 2014 AND THE CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE A NISSAN SENTRA 2008 THAT I BROUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $500. I HAD ALREADY REPLACE THE AIR SENSOR IN 2013 FOR $400 AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHEN THE CAR HAD 52,000 MILES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO EXPLORE WHY AT 72,000 MILES THE CAR NEEDS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACE AND WAS THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THEY DID NOT HELP; HAD LIMITED ANSWERS AND STATED THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP IN 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPLANATION. I DECIDED TO GET THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE. HOWEVER, TODAY THE CAR STALLED AGAIN AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I AM RETURNING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. HOWEVER, I BELIEF THERE ARE MORE ELECTRICAL/ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN SENTRA 2008 BESIDES THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT BEING FORTHCOMING ABOUT AND THIS CAN PUT MY LIFE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD IN DANGER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ALREADY DID A RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FROM 2006 TO 2012 FOR THE SAME PART. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10611034
Incident
Jun 12, 2014
Mileage
72,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 27, 2013

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT. CAR WAS ATTEMPTED TO START MORE THEN 10 TIMES. A FLASHING REG CAR WITH A KEY ICON LIGHT WAS ACTIVE ON THE DASH. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS LOCKED OUT AND HAD TO BE RESET BY THE DEALER. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIRING DEALER. DEALER SAID KEY AND INTERNAL CHIP WERE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOOK TECH 30 MINUTES JUST TO GET STEERING UNLOCKED. NEW KEYS WERE MADE AND CAR STILL DID NOT START. DEALER SAID BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS BLOWN, EVEN THOUGH OTHER SYSTEMS CONTROLLED BY BCM WERE OPERATIONAL. REPAIR WAS 1,200. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS NOT A COMMON PART THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513685
Incident
May 14, 2013
Mileage
73,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 17, 2013

THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT ONLY HAS 56,354 MILES ON IT. IT'S NOT BEING ABUSED IN ANY WAY, I ONLY GOT THIS VEHICLES BECAUSE IT'S ECONOMIC ON GAS AND I ONLY DRIVE IT ABOUT 5-15 MILES A DAY DURING THE WEEK. MY FEAR IS THAT, MY LUCK, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AGAIN WHEN I'M OUTSIDE THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD AND I'M SCREWED. NOW I'M DEBATING WHETHER I TAKE A LOSS AND SELL IT WAY BELOW WHAT I PAID FOR AND GET ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT'S NOT A NISSAN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRE SENSOR, WHICH I KEEP HEARING IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WANT $200 TO FIX IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD A WEIRD VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I'M TOLD IS CAUSE BY A "HOOD LATCH" AND THEY KEEP ADJUSTING IT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS INSTEAD OF FIXING IT PERMANENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508495
Incident
Jul 6, 2012
Mileage
56,354 mi
ElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Jul 1, 2012

TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE HAS BEEN SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. NISSAN CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT. NISSAN WORKED ON WARNING LIGHT SERVICED JUNE 20, 2012, JUNE 28, 2012, JUNE 30, 2012, AND LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN EVENING OF JUNE 30, 2012, THE SAME DAY IT WAS WORKED ON. ONCE A WEEK I TAKE MY 90-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR OUT. JUNE 28, 2012, WE WERE OUT AND IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND DUE TO THE SAFETY LIGHT I HAD TO GET TO SOMEWHERE TO SERVICE THE TIRE PRESSURE. SHE HAD TO GO WITH ME TO ATTEND TO THE TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM (CONCERN FOR HEAT STROKE IN 100 DEGREE PLUS TEMPERATURE). RECENT PROBLEM HISTORY: WARNING LIGHT ON AND ADDRESSED IN MAY BY COSTCO (WHO KINDLY ASSISTED ME AND FILLED TIRES WITH NITROGEN AND TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO GO TO NISSAN), ONE WEEK LATER TOOK TO NISSAN, AGAIN IN MAY TO BACK TO NISSAN. AGAIN NISSAN JUNE 20, 20012; WAL-MART JUNE 28, 2012; NISSAN, JUNE 29, 2012, NISSAN JUNE 30, 2012, (4 TIMES IN JUNE), AND THE LIGHT IS STILL PERIODICALLY COMING ON. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR MY SAFETY, FOR MY NEIGHBOR'S SAFETY (HAVING TO GET SOMEWHERE TO GET THE WARNING LIGHT OFF, AND SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2008 THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. I AM REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM YOUR OFFICE ON THIS MATTER. I NEED TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463896
Incident
Jun 28, 2012
Mileage
69,911 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .