RoadVitals

2009 Nissan Sentra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
55
Latest Jun 3, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 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

  • Airbags1519.5%
  • Steering1114.3%
  • Brakes1013.0%
  • Electrical67.8%
  • Engine67.8%
  • Body & structure67.8%
  • Suspension56.5%
  • Tires & wheels45.2%
  • Fuel system45.2%
  • Powertrain (other)33.9%
  • Other / unspecified22.6%
  • Interior & seats22.6%
  • Seat belts11.3%
  • Exterior lighting11.3%
  • Driver assistance11.3%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My car is included by year in the current airbag recall. However it comes up negative and the airbag icon started blinking last week. There were no incidents prior to the blinking.

NHTSA ID 11592217 · filed Jun 3, 2024

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT POP ON WHEN I WAS STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH ,FIRE , OR FLOOD. THE AIR BAG MODULE MUST BE A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM, THIS IS NOT NO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN MODELS WITH SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE DON'T LET MANUFACTURERS GET AWAY WITH THIS, IT IS PUTTING ME AND MY PASSENGERS IN VERY HIGH DANGER. THIS IS A ITEM ONLY MANUFACTURERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO.I PAYED ALOT OF MONEY FOR VEHICLE, PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE FOR RECALL , THERE'S NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN TO. THANK FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA ID 11360797 · filed Sep 23, 2020
All 15 reports naming airbags

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT

NHTSA ID 11046001 · filed Nov 14, 2017

THE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON DRIVER'S SIDE, KNOCKED BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN I CAME TOO THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT A IRON POLE IN FRONT OF WAL-GREEN'S. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN WHICH THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT AWAY.

NHTSA ID 11045993 · filed Nov 14, 2017
All 11 reports naming steering

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn’t die there was no sign on the dashboard also my brakes even when I change the pads the rotors and calipers they always make noise. I change brake pads every year and that’s not right I don’t think so. I always buy the best quality even when purchased fluids always buy CVT oil and I get it from the Nissan dealership.

NHTSA ID 11517083 · filed Apr 14, 2023

I was driving on the interstate to go and visit my granddaughter from PA to New York when all of a sudden I press on the break pedal and the brakes stopped working there was no warning sign on the dashboard I was alone in the car and afraid I started to slow down there was a lot of traffic trucks and I pulled over on the side slowly and use the emergency break and thank God I’m alive today to tell you my ordeal thank God I didn’t get hurt and no one got hurt and the best part I got to see my granddaughter 9 hours later. Basically I was informed that my brake line was broke in three pieces I cannot believe it just be careful always check your brake line thank you stay safe out there!!

NHTSA ID 11492364 · filed Nov 4, 2022
All 10 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL CAR STALLS OUT AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP WITH EVERY WARNING SIGNAL, EVERY TIME I BRAKE TO QUICKLY WHEN HITTING A RED LIGHT BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T REGULARLY ON. MY PROBLEM MATCHES ANOTHER TYPE OF 2009 NISSAN SENTRA PROBLEM BUT MY EXACT MODEL IS NOT RECALLED. PURCHASED BRAND NEW STARTER, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO NO AVAIL ANOTHER RECALL SAYS MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID 11155793 · filed Dec 3, 2018

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA I BOUGHT IT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND EVERYTHING IS FINE UNTIL I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO DO ANYTHING OUTSIDE IT THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LACKS WHEN I'M OUTSIDE AND CLOSE IT CLOSED AND IT HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO DO NOT STAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO LOWER THE WINDOWS OR HAVE A SPARE KEY IN MY WALLET

NHTSA ID 11080320 · filed Mar 20, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, REACH THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ENGINE STALL WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AT THE STOP LIGHT. AFTERWARDS, I CAN RESTART THE CAR NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES, ABOUT ONE MONTH APART.

NHTSA ID 11112947 · filed Jul 22, 2018

I'M CURRENTLY FINANCING A CAR. MY OIL RUNS OUT TOO FAST. IN ONE MONTH I PROBABLY USED 1000 MILES MAX AND I'VE ALREADY HAD TO GET A OIL CHANGE 3 TIMES. I'M AFRAID MY ENGINE IS EITHER GOING TO LOCK UP OR BLOW UP AND AS A YOUNG DRIVER I'M VERY SCARED OF MY SAFETY ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE PARKWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10917677 · filed Oct 20, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT

NHTSA ID 11046001 · filed Nov 14, 2017

THE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON DRIVER'S SIDE, KNOCKED BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN I CAME TOO THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT A IRON POLE IN FRONT OF WAL-GREEN'S. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN WHICH THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT AWAY.

NHTSA ID 11045993 · filed Nov 14, 2017

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn’t die there was no sign on the dashboard also my brakes even when I change the pads the rotors and calipers they always make noise. I change brake pads every year and that’s not right I don’t think so. I always buy the best quality even when purchased fluids always buy CVT oil and I get it from the Nissan dealership.

NHTSA ID 11517083 · filed Apr 14, 2023

WAS TOWED IN AND THE LF BALL JOINT IS RUSTED AND FELL APART. THE STUD AND NUT ARE STILL ATTACHED TO THE KNUCKLE AND THE BALL PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET. THIS ALLOWED THE SUSPENSION OF DROP THAT CORNER OF THE CAR DOWN AND PULL THE CV AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. JUST PULLING OUT FROM HOME.

NHTSA ID 11162005 · filed Dec 17, 2018

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK ROADHANDLER SPORT TIRES, SIZE: 215/55R/16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SIDEWALL WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO SEARS AND THEN TO THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE DOT NUMBER, VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE, AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID 11047780 · filed Nov 21, 2017

WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40F LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. TIRE PRESSURE IS FINE UPON CHECKING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10663236 · filed Dec 9, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL CAR STALLS OUT AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP WITH EVERY WARNING SIGNAL, EVERY TIME I BRAKE TO QUICKLY WHEN HITTING A RED LIGHT BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T REGULARLY ON. MY PROBLEM MATCHES ANOTHER TYPE OF 2009 NISSAN SENTRA PROBLEM BUT MY EXACT MODEL IS NOT RECALLED. PURCHASED BRAND NEW STARTER, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO NO AVAIL ANOTHER RECALL SAYS MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID 11155793 · filed Dec 3, 2018

I HAVE GONE THROUGH 5 BATTERIES IN 6 YEARS ONE BLEW UP UNDER MY HOOD. I CHANGED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY AFTER THAT HAPPENED. IT HASN'T HELPED IN KEEPING BATTERIES FOR MORE THAN A YEAR IN THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED EVERYTHING COMES BACK NORMAL. I CAN CHARGE ANYTHING IN MY CAR WHILE THE CAR IS OFF AND NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WOULD THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. MY DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK INCONSTANTLY WHEN USING MY FOB TO PERFORM EITHER FUNCTION. I HAVE TO DO IT MANUALLY. THE GAS TUBE HAS PULLED AWAY AND IS UNSTABLE. MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. IT HAPPENED IN A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT, ON AN ON RAMP TO GET ON A FREEWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET. AAA KNOWS ME WELL. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT IT BEFORE ON ANOTHER WEBSITE, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ID 10885964 · filed Jul 19, 2016

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE BEEN GETTING GRINDING NOISES FROM MY TRANSMISSION SINCE THE FALL OF 2016. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE GEORGESVILLE NISSAN SHOP IN COLUMBUS, OH WHERE THEY STATED THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE NOISE OR HEAR IT EVEN THOUGH THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE AFTER SITTING STILL FOR AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR. IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE ISN'T PUSHING ON THE CLUTCH BEFORE CHANGING GEARS, THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE GONE TO THE SHOP A FEW TIMES WHERE I'VE BEEN GIVEN THE SAME THING, THEY CAN'T RECREATE IT. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME AND NOW IT'S NOT. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS WAS THEM TRYING TO NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS AROUND 90K MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I'VE BEEN THERE TWO OR THREE TIMES. NOW MY CAR IS AT 123K MILES AND I AM NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I AM CURRENTLY AT WORK AND CAN NOT UPLOAD MY RECEIPTS FROM MY VISIT BUT WILL SEND PICTURES WHEN NEED BE. I'M SURE I HAVE A VIDEO I RECORDED OF THE NOISE TO, IF NOT, I HAVE A DASHCAM THAT I'M SURE HAS RECORDED THE SOUND MANY TIMES OVER.

NHTSA ID 11254406 · filed Sep 10, 2019

MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION WARRANTY ENDED AT 120,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 145,500 MILES. I'VE READ ONLINE THESE VEHICLES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE ISSUES WITH REPAIR CODE P0744. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR OLDER VEHICLES EXCEPT MINE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT HELP BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND VEHICLE IS OLD. ALL I'M ASKING FOR THEM TO COVER MOST OF THE REPAIRS OR ALL OF IT. IN THIS CASE VEHICLE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLES RPM FLUCTUATED? JERKED AND LOST SPEED, THEN SPEED WOULD INCREASE. REPAIRS IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $1200.00.

NHTSA ID 11240492 · filed Jul 29, 2019

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40F LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. TIRE PRESSURE IS FINE UPON CHECKING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10663236 · filed Dec 9, 2014

SO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY. MY SPEED WAS 40MPH WHEN I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY, AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN ONE OF MY BACK TIRE ON THE RIGHT POP. MY CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE 180 DEGREES TURN. SO I END UP ROLLING MY CAR. LUCKILY THEIR WAS NO ONE COMING FROM OTHER LANE. AT THE END I WAS SURPRISE THAT NONE OF MY AIRBAG DEPLOY. ALSO MY CAR GOT TOTAL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10430305 · filed Oct 15, 2011

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK WITH CAR REMOTE. BATTERY WAS CHANGED IN REMOTES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. KEY TO OVERRIDE DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. AFTER HITTING THE OPEN LOCK BUTTON ON KEY REMOTE FOR 5 MIN NON STOP IT FINALLY OPENED ALL DOORS. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I REFUSE TO LOCK CAR ANYMORE UNTIL I CAN GET TO DEALER TO REPAIR THE LOCKS AND REMOTE LOCK SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10659094 · filed Nov 18, 2014

AT FIRST THE REAR DOORS STARTED NOT TO UNLOCK, NOW ALL THE DOORS EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE POWER LOCKS. YOU MUST MANUALLY FLIP EACH LOCK TO OPEN THE DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10548583 · filed Oct 20, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT IS LOOSE AND WILL NOT TIGHTEN TO SECURE DRIVER IS SAFE, PASSENGER SEATBELT (FRONT SIDE OF DRIVER) IS LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW PASSENGER TO BUCKLE UP.

NHTSA ID 11078433 · filed Mar 9, 2018

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BOMBILLA QUE INDICA BOLSAS DE AIRE PARPADEA EN EL PANEL DE CONTROL Y DICE AIR BAG OFF

NHTSA ID 11019282 · filed Aug 24, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. I HAD JUST DROVE THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. ONCE TRAFFIC CLEARED I ACCELERATED THROUGH THE FIRST LANE BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER. MY FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. AT A FEW SECONDS AND NEAR MISS COLLISION MY CAR DECIDED TO FINALLY GO. IT FELT LIKE IT STALLED AND I HAD NO CONTROL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER AND ALL I CAN THINK OF IS THAT THE CAR IS GETTING TO HOT.

NHTSA ID 11004710 · filed Jul 12, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .