Nissan Sentras are remarkable for being classical inside and out. They look stunning, and attractive, with decent body builds, and pack a ton of safety features, but does this apply to all Sentras ever produced?
Well, every car has the bad model years you should avoid – not really because they are too bad and undrivable, but because they are no match with models from other years. For Sentras, what are the Nissan Sentra years to avoid?
The 2013 and 2014 Nissan Sentra years are alleged to be the worst years to avoid due to their frequency of breaking down, mechanically. Also, the CVT in 2013 Sentra models seem to be the poorest compared with other years.
Here’s all you should know!
Nissan Sentras Overview
Over the years, since 1982 when the first Nissan Sentra hit the roads, Nissan Sentras have always got it right in terms of safety features, body build, and beautiful interiors. Sentras have always been in the “compact cars” category, but some people do refer to them as sedans.
Nissan Sentras have been redesigned many times; the first-generation was from 1982 – 1984; second generation 1985 – 1989; third generation 1990 – 1995; fourth generation 1995 – 2000; fifth generation 2000 – 2007; sixth generation 2007 – 2012; seventh generation 2013 – 2019; and the current generation from 2020 to date.
The 2022 Nissan Sentra debuted an all-new appearance, which looked better and sturdier than other (older) Sentras – but what would you expect from a newer model anyway? With the all-new design of Sentras, it is easy to rank them among the top 5 best cars in its class.
There are three trim levels available for Sentras produced from 2020: S, SV, and SR. Interestingly, all these trims come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities.
It is important to note that Nissan Sentras are assembled with a 149-hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with an automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and they are all built as front-wheel drives – with wheel sizes ranging from 16 to 18 inches.
Nissan Sentra Years To Avoid
According to complaints reported by Nissan Sentra owners, listed below are the worst Nissan Sentra years to avoid because they give a lot of problems, which are pretty costly to repair.
- Nissan Sentra 2013
- Nissan Sentra 2005
- Nissan Sentra 2014
- Nissan Sentra 2015
- Nissan Sentra 2004
- Nissan Sentra 2008
- Nissan Sentra 2007
The above is provided based on the number of complaints reported for each Nissan Sentra year, on CarComplaints. The 2013 and 2005 models had the highest complaints.
This list does not mean that other Nissan Sentra years, which are not mentioned above, have the “perfect” models. It’s just that other Sentras are pretty much more reliable than the ones made in the years above.
So, if you’re planning on getting a used Nissan Sentra, it is best to skip the models from these years, and you may just get a good deal. These Nissan Sentra years to avoid are linked with constant engine/transmission/drivetrain breakdown, which costs around $2,000 – $3,000 to repair or replace.
Common Problems With Nissan Sentras
1. Braking Problems
The Nissan AEB feature starts malfunctioning, causing the car to stop when not supposed. When the AEB starts malfunctioning, you may see a “front radar unavailable due to malfunction” warning message.
2. Sunroof Cracking
Sentras come with sunroofs, which are designed to add more beauty to the car’s appearance. In the aforementioned Sentra years, the sunroofs tend to crack and explode.
3. Occupant Classification System (OCS) Errors
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) houses the sensors that deploy airbags in the case of a collision. When this system is faulty, you’d likely see the airbag disabled warning light turn always-on or flashing.
4. Mechanical Problems
Head gasket failure, CVT failure, and engine breakdown are some of the commonest problems reported by Nissan Sentra owners. These problems cost a few thousands of dollars to fix – pretty expensive.
What More?
So, what are the Nissan Sentra years to avoid? The 2013 and 2005 models are the “worst” ones to buy. There are other “bad” years to avoid, such as 2014, 2003, and others.
However, this does not imply that Sentras produced in those indicated years are entirely bad; some people still own 2014 Sentras and they’re cool with it.