2023 Nissan Sentra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 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
- Electrical829.6%
- Driver assistance622.2%
- Steering414.8%
- Engine311.1%
- Fuel system27.4%
- Powertrain (other)27.4%
- Brakes27.4%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The camera views are all pink or turning pink. Also when getting to 70mph on the interstate, the car begins to shudder. The vehicle has 52,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway and shifted to park(P), the vehicle started to slowly roll backwards unexpectedly. While attempting to re-enter the vehicle to stop the vehicle, the contact was knocked to the floor by the driver’s side door. The contact sustained injuries to the knees, back, thighs, and a concussion. The contact received medical treatment and an appointment for an MRI was scheduled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,300.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
After 8 months of driving my car brand new I started experiencing multiple intermittent malfunctions in the dash board & infotainment system. I have documentation of DTC codes current in my ECU. These codes each dealership refused to find and instead replaced my car battery, wiping the codes & replacing my infotainment system after it completely failed. After repeated repair attempts each dealership failed to successfully repair under warranty & told me to drive the car as normal when these malfunctions continued. These electrical malfunctions were at one point affecting my alternator which I also have documentation of. The car has lost power yet the engine stays running while I am driving. My handsfree is intermittent everyday. I am now way past my warranty & extended warranty due to following dealerships advice to drive the car as normal and bring back. These ongoing malfunctions create unreasonable safety risk which I believe falls under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 — the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A third party diagnostics shop told me my car would have to be taken apart to find the grounding issues as this is clearly a manufacturing defect. These repairs have cost me money and I refuse to keep paying these dealerships if they aren't willing to resolve the core problem. I get constant push back from each dealership. I've already engaged with Nissan consumer affairs, a Lemon Law attorney, and filed with my State AG, AG recommended while undergoing an IDR that I file a complaint here as well. Please help.
The Malfunction symbol/ABS light comes on once a week & will not allow me to crank my car and i have to jump it off to get it back started. My car is bought from a rental car agency Jan 2025 who provided me the receipts that the car was taken care of properly. Within the first week of purchase, the vehicle would not start & the malfunction and/or ABS symbol would appear and happens once a week since i purchased the vehicle January 2025. According to Google, this UNWANTED ABS or malfunction warning is very COMMON in the Nissan Sentra. Seems as if this is an unwanted problem occurring in several year models, it should be recalled. It is a safety hazard for all involved.
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
After 8 months of driving my car brand new I started experiencing multiple intermittent malfunctions in the dash board & infotainment system. I have documentation of DTC codes current in my ECU. These codes each dealership refused to find and instead replaced my car battery, wiping the codes & replacing my infotainment system after it completely failed. After repeated repair attempts each dealership failed to successfully repair under warranty & told me to drive the car as normal when these malfunctions continued. These electrical malfunctions were at one point affecting my alternator which I also have documentation of. The car has lost power yet the engine stays running while I am driving. My handsfree is intermittent everyday. I am now way past my warranty & extended warranty due to following dealerships advice to drive the car as normal and bring back. These ongoing malfunctions create unreasonable safety risk which I believe falls under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 — the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A third party diagnostics shop told me my car would have to be taken apart to find the grounding issues as this is clearly a manufacturing defect. These repairs have cost me money and I refuse to keep paying these dealerships if they aren't willing to resolve the core problem. I get constant push back from each dealership. I've already engaged with Nissan consumer affairs, a Lemon Law attorney, and filed with my State AG, AG recommended while undergoing an IDR that I file a complaint here as well. Please help.
First incident I was driving and my dashboard turned off all the speedometers went to zero all lights turned off. I was able to safely pull over and as I pulled over my dash came back on with malfunction lights flashing - I took pictures tried to get the dealership to duplicate it and they could not. Second incident is my radio, auxiliary ports and center dash screen. After a couple of malfunctions where the radio would turn off and come back on, it finally completely turned off and will not turn back on. I cannot use the radio, back up camera, nor auxiliary ports. Took it to 3 different dealerships where the last one was able to duplicate it due to it not turning back on. Ordered the radio it's on back order with no eta! Brand new 2023 just a year old.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. Upon arrival at the residence, the vehicle failed to restart with the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence, and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized. The local dealer was contacted, and an estimate for the repair was provided. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The mechanic stated that the engine was cracked and was a rebuilt engine, not a new engine. The contact purchased a used engine from a salvage yard for replacement. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Upon purchasing the vehicle on December 21, 2024, I immediately noticed a delay in acceleration when pressing the gas pedal, particularly after the vehicle had been idling for some time. This delay creates a significant safety risk, especially in situations where quick acceleration is needed, such as merging onto highways or avoiding accidents. Additionally, the vehicle displays incorrect fuel mileage readings, leading to poor fuel consumption and inaccurate fuel gauge readings, further jeopardizing safety due to the potential misjudgment of remaining fuel. During the test drive with the service manager, he almost got into two accidents because of the delay in acceleration. He acknowledged that the issue was caused by the updated CVT transmissions and stated that it would be best to return the car. Despite this, the dealership was unable to fix the problem after multiple visits. I was advised to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs, who were aware of the delay in acceleration. However, after following up with Nissan, I was directed to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The issue has been replicated by the service techs, two sales managers, the service manager, and the dealership owner. The service manager confirmed the acceleration delay during the test drive and recommended returning the vehicle due to its unsafe nature. This delay continues to pose a serious safety concern, and I am deeply concerned that it could lead to an accident if not properly addressed.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Upon purchasing the vehicle on December 21, 2024, I immediately noticed a delay in acceleration when pressing the gas pedal, particularly after the vehicle had been idling for some time. This delay creates a significant safety risk, especially in situations where quick acceleration is needed, such as merging onto highways or avoiding accidents. Additionally, the vehicle displays incorrect fuel mileage readings, leading to poor fuel consumption and inaccurate fuel gauge readings, further jeopardizing safety due to the potential misjudgment of remaining fuel. During the test drive with the service manager, he almost got into two accidents because of the delay in acceleration. He acknowledged that the issue was caused by the updated CVT transmissions and stated that it would be best to return the car. Despite this, the dealership was unable to fix the problem after multiple visits. I was advised to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs, who were aware of the delay in acceleration. However, after following up with Nissan, I was directed to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The issue has been replicated by the service techs, two sales managers, the service manager, and the dealership owner. The service manager confirmed the acceleration delay during the test drive and recommended returning the vehicle due to its unsafe nature. This delay continues to pose a serious safety concern, and I am deeply concerned that it could lead to an accident if not properly addressed.
Battery died at 24,000 miles. Never had any issues until this.
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
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway and shifted to park(P), the vehicle started to slowly roll backwards unexpectedly. While attempting to re-enter the vehicle to stop the vehicle, the contact was knocked to the floor by the driver’s side door. The contact sustained injuries to the knees, back, thighs, and a concussion. The contact received medical treatment and an appointment for an MRI was scheduled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,300.
Upon purchasing the vehicle on December 21, 2024, I immediately noticed a delay in acceleration when pressing the gas pedal, particularly after the vehicle had been idling for some time. This delay creates a significant safety risk, especially in situations where quick acceleration is needed, such as merging onto highways or avoiding accidents. Additionally, the vehicle displays incorrect fuel mileage readings, leading to poor fuel consumption and inaccurate fuel gauge readings, further jeopardizing safety due to the potential misjudgment of remaining fuel. During the test drive with the service manager, he almost got into two accidents because of the delay in acceleration. He acknowledged that the issue was caused by the updated CVT transmissions and stated that it would be best to return the car. Despite this, the dealership was unable to fix the problem after multiple visits. I was advised to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs, who were aware of the delay in acceleration. However, after following up with Nissan, I was directed to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The issue has been replicated by the service techs, two sales managers, the service manager, and the dealership owner. The service manager confirmed the acceleration delay during the test drive and recommended returning the vehicle due to its unsafe nature. This delay continues to pose a serious safety concern, and I am deeply concerned that it could lead to an accident if not properly addressed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The Malfunction symbol/ABS light comes on once a week & will not allow me to crank my car and i have to jump it off to get it back started. My car is bought from a rental car agency Jan 2025 who provided me the receipts that the car was taken care of properly. Within the first week of purchase, the vehicle would not start & the malfunction and/or ABS symbol would appear and happens once a week since i purchased the vehicle January 2025. According to Google, this UNWANTED ABS or malfunction warning is very COMMON in the Nissan Sentra. Seems as if this is an unwanted problem occurring in several year models, it should be recalled. It is a safety hazard for all involved.
During adverse weather conditions cat refused to drive. I had to press break to get cat to budge then or would stop again until I redirected the car to parking spot
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 .