Used Nissan Sentra: Inspection checklist
Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 829 complaints across these 8 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year
2025
Most reported: wheels and tires
15 complaints3 recallsOpen checklist
2024
Most reported: steering
23 complaints3 recallsOpen checklist
2023
Fewest complaintsMost reported: electrical
14 complaints1 recallOpen checklist
2022
Most reported: steering
72 complaints2 recallsOpen checklist
2021
Most reported: steering
119 complaints3 recallsOpen checklist
2020
Most reported: steering
193 complaints4 recallsOpen checklist
2019
Most complaintsMost reported: electrical
212 complaints2 recallsOpen checklist
2018
Most reported: transmission
181 complaints2 recallsOpen checklist
Problems that follow the Sentra from year to year
Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.
| Area | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 31 | 53 | 33 | 35 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 177 | |
| Steering | 52 | 38 | 27 | 3 | 7 | 127 | |||
| Transmission | 43 | 50 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 113 | |
| Brakes | 14 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 54 |
Sentra generations and updates
First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.
Mileages where Sentra problems start
From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.
| Typical mileage | Problem | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500–2,700 miles | Front-end popping and banging noises | 2024 |
| 5,800–28,000 miles | Phantom automatic emergency braking | 2021 |
| 12,500–21,900 miles | Tie rod fracture or clicking | 2020 |
| 16,000–50,000 miles | Backup camera blank or blue | 2020 |
| 18,000–43,000 miles | Door lock actuator failure | 2020 |
| 19,000–20,000 miles | False automatic emergency braking | 2020 |
| 46,000–65,000 miles | CVT failure and power loss | 2018 |
| 53,000–61,000 miles | Front radar faults and false braking | 2018 |
| 66,000–79,000 miles | Brake lights not illuminating | 2018 |
| 98,000–167,000 miles | CVT transmission failure | 2019 |
Every Sentra recall to confirm
13 recalls cover the Sentrayears on this site. Open a campaign number for NHTSA's full notice. 6 campaigns span more than one model year.
- 23V581000Steering2020, 2021, 2022
- 24V154000Airbags2023, 2024
- 23V628000Backup camera2020, 2021
- 21V461000Steering2020, 2021
- 21V135000Exterior lights2018, 2019
- 19V654000Backup camera2018, 2019
- 26V023000Door latches and locks2025
- 25V807000Wipers and visibility2025
- 25V153000Seats2025
- 24V498000Wipers and visibility2024





