Nissan Sentra problems
The Nissan Sentra is a series of automobiles manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 1982. Since 1999, the Sentra has been categorized as a compact car, while previously it occupied the subcompact class. Until 2006, Sentra was a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny, but since the 2013 model year, Sentra is a rebadged export version of the Sylphy. The Sentra nameplate is not used in Japan. Many other countries in Latin America sell their versions of the Sunny as the Sentra. In Mexico, the first three generations of the Sentra were known as the Nissan Tsuru (Japanese for crane), and the B13 model was sold under that name until 2017, alongside the updated models badged as Sentra.
In North America, the Sentra currently serves as Nissan's compact car, despite being rated as a mid-size car by the EPA due to its interior volume since the 2007 model year. While previous Sentras were subcompacts, the Sentra has grown over the years, with the Nissan Versa having replaced the Sentra in the entry-level area.
The Sentra name was created for Nissan by Ira Bachrach of NameLab, and Bachrach describes the origin as "Nissan wanted consumers to understand that it was quite safe even though it was small. The word Sentra sounds like central as well as sentry, which evokes images of safety."
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Nissan Sentra model years
Common Nissan Sentra problems
Nissan Sentra owners have reported several common problems with their vehicles, including transmission issues, brake problems, unusual noises while driving, bad paint and trim, suspension problems, and steering issues.
Transmission issues are among the most common and serious problems that can happen to a Nissan Sentra. In particular, some Sentras, especially the 2019 and 2012-2016 models, have experienced transmission problems. Many owners of these models have reported that the car's continuously variable transmission (CVT) can cause temporary loss of power and total failure. These problems can leave owners with crippled vehicles and large repair bills. The CVT problems are so widespread that there have been class action lawsuits filed against Nissan.
Brake problems are also a recurring issue for Nissan Sentra owners. For example, many 2013 Sentra owners have reported that the brakes don't engage after stepping on the brake pedal until it hits the floor. In some cases, this problem is caused by a master brake cylinder that failed prematurely. Replacing the bad cylinder will resolve the issue. Even the relatively new 2020 Nissan Sentra isn't immune to brake problems. Some units have anti-braking lock systems that can stop working without warning. When the ABS gives out while the car is on a slippery road surface, the driver can potentially lose control and end up in an accident.
Unusual noises while driving are another common problem for Nissan Sentra owners. For example, drivers of some units of the 2016 Nissan Sentra report hearing loud howling or screeching noises during windy days and when driving at high speeds. While some owners suspect it's loose weatherstripping, others have had no luck determining where the sounds are coming from. The car could also vibrate enough to make noticeable noise at highway speeds.
Bad paint and trim are also common problems for Nissan Sentra owners. Many vehicles belonging to the Sentra’s 2016 model year, in particular, have experienced body and paint problems. The paint and clear coat on the affected vehicles’ bodies may fade early or flake off. Chrome trims could also develop rust, while moldings and trims may become loose and eventually fall off.
Suspension problems and steering issues are also common complaints among Nissan Sentra owners. For example, some owners have reported that their vehicles have a rough or slow acceleration, which can be caused by suspension problems. Lackluster technology is another common problem, especially with the collision avoidance technology.
In summary, Nissan Sentra owners have reported several common problems with their vehicles, including transmission issues, brake problems, unusual noises while driving, bad paint and trim, suspension problems, and steering issues. These problems can lead to crippled vehicles and large repair bills, and in some cases, can even be dangerous.
Are Nissan Sentra reliable cars?
The Nissan Sentra Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 14th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $491 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Sentra.
What are bad years for Nissan Sentra?
Quick Answer: Avoid Nissan Sentra year models 2004, 2005, 2008, & 2012-2015. There are dozens of reliable Nissan Sentra year models that you can purchase, so you should steer clear of the 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 year models.
What years did Nissan Sentras have transmission problems?
Reports indicate that a defect affecting 2012-2016 Sentras' continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) can cause temporary loss of power and total failures of the CVTs. Many consumers have reported that the CVT can first cause the cars to shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration, or completely lose power.
How long do Nissan Sentras usually last?
Expect to Get a Minimum of 150,000 to 200,000 Miles out of Your Sentra. Nissans have a well-earned reputation for dependability. Take care of a Sentra, and it'll go the distance for you.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Nissan Sentra years
We have researched Nissan problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Nissan Sentra cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Nissan Sentra model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Nissan Sentra model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Nissan Sentra years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Nissan Sentra car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Nissan Sentra , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Nissan Sentra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Sentra model years
A total of 595 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Sentra model years
There were a total of 125 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Sentra model years
There were a total of 532 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Sentra model years
There were a total of 15 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 5748 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Nissan Sentra . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Nissan Sentra vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Nissan Sentra 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: 3N1AB8CV5LY
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel had an excessive amount of play. While driving over a pothole, the vehicle shook abnormally. While reversing, there was an abnormal thumping sound while turning the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle should not be driven. The mechanic determined that the steering rack was badly worn, and the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number 23V581000 (Steering). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack and tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Nissan Sentra 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP6KY
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: On 10/28/2024 I was driving on a highway at 60 mph with light traffic. All of a sudden the radio display panel went blank and all the warning lights on dashboard lit up. The car started to slow down and did not gain speed even when gas pedal is pressed. Car speed went down to 40 mph. I put on hazard lights and looking for safe spot to park the car. I drove for 2 to 3 minutes and then dashboard warnings lights went out, radio came back and the car gained speed again. It drove normal again. This car has other issues as well such USB ports do not function.
Nissan Sentra 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP4KY
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while pressing the START/STOP button, the brake pedal seized, and the vehicle failed to start as needed. The contact continuously pressed the START/STOP button while depressing the brake pedal, and the vehicle eventually started. The contact stated that the stop lamp switch had previously been replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the stop lamp switch needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Nissan Sentra 2010
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3N1AB6AP6AL
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Involved in a motor vehicle t-bone collision. Driver airbag deployed but the panel did not fully come off. Bottom section of the airbag/horn cover came off. Top section did not separate from the rest of the wheel.
Nissan Sentra 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP4JY
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The center overhead light compartment falling out of interior roof
Nissan Sentra 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 3N1AB8CV0LY
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: [XXX] 06/29 637 1). A feature of the Auto Intelligent Headlight feature is not working on 2020 Sentras, all trims. During the daytime (rain or snow) when the windshield wipers are turned on and swish back and forth 4 times, it’s supposed to automatically turn on headlights (which also turns on tail lights so you’re not rear ended). 2). Additionally, when the headlights are in “Headlight” mode (not automatic mode), the owners manual states when the engine is turned off and the door is opened you will get both an alarm chime and a visual warning on the drivers display that lights are on and to turn them off. Just like any normal car going back for 20 years. Well it doesn’t work in 2020 Sentra. Only way I can get feature to chime or show the display warning is to toggle the headlight control switch to “Parking Lights” and back to “Headlights”!. Of course, if I can remember to do that I could remember to turn off the headlights! Auto Intelligent Headlights is explained on the Nissan website, and the 2020 Sentra Brochure States it as a standard feature on all trims. I also have a personal letter from Nissan stating 2020 Sentras have all of this feature. [XXX] Intelligent Auto Headlights | Innovation | Nissan’s Intelligent Auto Headlights: Nissan’s various technologies, including electrification, autonomous drive, connected car & service, mobility service, and energy management, are introduced. [XXX] [XXX] It doesn’t work. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs, after 2 months and being handed off to 2 customer service reps they finally sent a Corp DTS Rep to look at car. After 4 hrs examining it, he contacted the internal only “Nissan Tech Talk”, only for Nissan mechanics and you must have a dealer code to access, not for the public. Turns out, they knew that due to a new wiring system in the 2020 Sentra’s those features and a fog light auto feature don’t work! Apparently it’s a defect, I was never notified they INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Nissan Sentra 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP1KL
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The radio system of car the Nissan connect turns on and off when the car is parked and off it does drain my car battery to the point I have to replace it all the time this issues happened the camera works off and on the CarPlay and android auto sometimes work but it doesn’t which is a safety concern when trying to answer calls through the car and messages but it won’t let me do that due to those issues
Nissan Sentra 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-05
- VIN: 3N1AB6AP7BL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving at low speed 20 mph , stopped at the stop sign , when I pressed acceleration the vehicle did not respond . I checked Dash and I could see all engine warnings light up. I switched off the vehicle and started again it started back with no issues and started running again. The vehicle sounds normal .there was no engine related warnings afterwards.
Nissan Sentra 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-04
- VIN: 3N1AB8DV0MY
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic emergency braking system engaged while there were no nearby vehicles or pedestrians. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "System Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
Nissan Sentra 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 3N1AB7APXFY
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine light keeps coming on and throws the code for mass air flow sensor even after this was replaced
Nissan Sentra 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-02
- VIN: 3N1AB8CV2MY
- Components: STEERING,WHEELS,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: The car has been towed and moved to another state which is New Jersey and it is being held at an auction company. The car needs to be picked up by Nissan of Garden City and taken back to the dealer shop for the safety recall.
Nissan Sentra 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP0KY
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,339.
Nissan Sentra 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 3N1AB7AP8GY
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My Nissan Sentra 2016 (CVT) Transmission Failed while driving in middle of road. Riverside Nissan in Hackensack, NJ and Nissan Consumer Affairs denies allegations, denies the occurrence of the class action lawsuit in 2017, refuses to take accountability, lured me to the Nissan dealership under false pretenses to squeeze money out of me, and denies my right to repairs to a faultily manufactured Nissan transmission, which was undisclosed to me 2 years ago upon purchase of vehicle at full price. In addition to, when I went back to contact the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from, Autoholding 46, 74 US-46, Mountain Lakes, NJ, they were closed down. My attached PDF, "NHTSA General- Nissan" consists of the general description and details for your review. Please convey whatever else is needed.
Nissan Sentra 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 3N1AB8CV3MY
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Nissan Sentra 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 3N1AB8CV1NY
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Experiencing major vibration in the steering wheel and tires especially when accelerating.
Latest 5 recalls Nissan Sentra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 141 recalls for different components of the Nissan Sentra.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Nissan Sentra 2023
- Report Received Date: 2024-02-27
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD104, and PMA34.
- Model: Nissan Sentra 2020
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-08
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
- Model: Nissan Sentra 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-08
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
- Model: Nissan Sentra 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-08-15
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
- Consequence: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed October 5, 2023. Second interim letters were mailed April 19, 2024. The final remedy for this recall is anticipated to be Fall 2024 (approx. mid-December 2024). Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- Model: Nissan Sentra 2020
- Report Received Date: 2023-08-15
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
- Consequence: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed October 5, 2023. Second interim letters were mailed April 19, 2024. The final remedy for this recall is anticipated to be Fall 2024 (approx. mid-December 2024). Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Latest negative Nissan Sentra car reviews
Latest positive Nissan Sentra car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2007
My wife would absolutely love this car and wants one for herself. I switched from a Toyota Saris to the Sentra for the extra room and comfort. The gas mileage is great and it's been really fun to drive!
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Vehicle year: 2017
This is a really nice sedan that is perfect for everyday use. It's not a performance car, but it's a great economy car that looks good and rides well. I haven't had it for very long, so I can't speak to its reliability, but I'm really happy with it so far. I'm not sure about the resale value yet, but overall I'm really pleased with my purchase.
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Vehicle year: 1997
I bought my Sentra from a friend of mine and immediately fell in love with it. It handles really well, is well-designed, and gets excellent gas mileage.
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Vehicle year: 1994
I've owned my Sentra for six years now and it's been a reliable car. The only major repairs I've had were due to my own negligence - I had an oil leak that I didn't address, which resulted in a rebuilt engine, and a few years ago I had to have the transmission rebuilt due to a leak. The car has 154,000 miles on it now and it's still running well. It's important to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure its longevity. As a tall person at 6'2, I've found that the car isn't the most accommodating for my height, but overall it's been a good experience.
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Vehicle year: 2008
I just got the car and I'm already falling in love with it! It's saving me gas and driving really well. The only thing I wish it had was a sunroof, then it would be my dream car. Overall, I'm really enjoying it and can't wait to see how it performs in the long run.
Are you having problems with your Nissan Sentra?
Harry Will 2025-10-23
Vehicle year: 1992
I bought my Sentra back in 2006 and have been driving it ever since. It has been a reliable car and I have always made sure to keep up with its maintenance. The only major repairs I have had to do were the CV axles and the exhaust, which were a bit pricey, but other than that, it has been smooth sailing. Living in the Austin area, I am required to have regular inspection and emissions tests, but my car has always passed with flying colors. I have never had any expensive emissions problems, which is a relief.
Alexys Bashirian 2025-10-23
Vehicle year: 2007
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 with an automatic CVT transmission. I've always been diligent about keeping up with repairs and oil changes, but recently the service engine soon light came on. I took it to the mechanic and unfortunately, they told me that the engine needs to be replaced due to low compression in the second cylinder. The cost would be around $3,000, which was a bit of a shock. I've only had the car for a little over two years, so it's definitely frustrating. The mechanic mentioned that for a car of this year and mileage (>82,000), this shouldn't have happened. While it's disappointing, I'm trying to stay positive and not let it ruin my experience with Nissan. Thanks for listening!
Jovany Macejkovic 2025-10-21
Vehicle year: 2006
Hey everyone, I think it would be great if we could come together and bring attention to the fuel pump issue that many of us are experiencing with Nissan vehicles. Let's work together to encourage Nissan to address this problem and find a solution.
Brando Cremin 2025-10-19
Vehicle year: 2007
I had a negative experience with this company's product and customer service. My 2007 Sentra with the defective CVT Transmission required expensive repairs shortly after the warranty expired. Although Nissan acknowledged the issue by doubling the warranty, I believe a recall would have been more appropriate. Despite this, I appreciate their effort to remedy the situation.
Mario Boehm 2025-10-19
Vehicle year: 2000
Hey there! Just wanted to share my experience with the 2000 Nissan Sentra. Unfortunately, I had to replace the transmission and spend around $1,000 to get an inspection sticker. I also found out that the car was assembled in Mexico. Personally, I won't be buying another Nissan, but I'm curious to hear if anyone else has had a different experience?