Which Years Of Used Nissan Sentras Are Most Reliable?
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When it comes to compact cars, the Nissan Sentra used to be one of the household names in terms of reliability and value. For the most part, the Sentra delivers on the essential qualities of a small sedan – it has a distinct style, loads of features, a nicely trimmed interior, and value-oriented pricing. If you want a small sedan that will take you from point A to point B with little to no issue, the Sentra deserves a spot on your shortlist.
With that said, used car buyers should consider reliability as one of their top criteria. After all, not all Sentra models are created equal, and some years are more reliable than others. Thus, what year is the most reliable Nissan Sentra?
For today’s post, we walk you through several recent Sentra generations and determine which model years are reliable or not. Let’s dive right in.
2000-2006 Nissan Sentra
On its fifth generation, the 2000 model launch marked the time when the Sentra was formally designated as a compact car. It’s also known for its spirited powertrain, decent handling, and a well-designed cabin.
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Buy: 2000-2004 Nissan Sentra
Despite being two decades old, the first five from the fifth-gen Sentra models are widely considered reliable. For instance, the 2000 model year only had 240+ NHTSA complaints, but with a staggering seven recalls – and one that involves the “service engine soon” warning light that affected more than 600k vehicles. But with an average sale price of $2,775 - $3,050 in the used car market, the 2000 Sentra is a great first car for young drivers.
Another solid model year from this generation is the 2004 Nissan Sentra which had 287 NHTSA complaints and five recalls. While we recommend this model from a reliability standpoint, you should know that it has issues with blown head gaskets, and a replacement will likely cost you thousands of dollars.
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Avoid: 2005 Nissan Sentra
We can’t recommend the 2005 Nissan Sentra because it had the same blown head gasket issue as in the 2004 model, but it’s more of a concern here. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2005 Sentra has racked up 370+ complaints, six recalls, and a “Beware of the Clunker” badge.
As mentioned, the number one issue here is the blown head gasket which was reported by hundreds of owners. In some cases, drivers had to replace the gasket twice to no avail. Furthermore, it was also affected by the infamous defective Takata airbags. Just avoid it even for a reasonable price.
2007-2012 Nissan Sentra
The sixth generation Sentra was overall a solid lineup of reliable, compact cars.
Buy: 2007-2010 Nissan Sentra
The first four models in the sixth generation of the Nissan Sentra are all reliable, with only a few complaints and recalls. For example, the 2007 Sentra only has 250+ complaints and a single recall regarding the brake master cylinder. With an average price of $4,925 - $5,625 in the used car market, this is yet another solid answer to the question, “what year is the most reliable Nissan Sentra?”
Meanwhile, a used 2010 Nissan Sentra is also worth checking out if you’re looking for something newer and a highly reliable model year. According to CarComplaints, the 2010 Sentra only has 200+ complaints and three recalls with minor issues that only affected a few vehicles. The price range for this used model year is around $5,675 - $6,450.
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2013-2019 Nissan Sentra
The seventh generation Sentra was supposed to be a big deal for Nissan as it completely redesigned its aging compact car. However, the widespread transmission issues have something to say about that.
Avoid: 2013 Nissan Sentra
What year is the most reliable Nissan Sentra? Well, it’s certainly not the 2013 model year because it received the most number of complaints. As per CarComplaints, the 2013 Sentra had collected over 1k complaints with six recalls on the side. It was also awarded the “Avoid Like the Plague” seal of disapproval.
This was a rough outing for Nissan’s compact car. One of its central mechanical woes is the excessive revving and jerking, which was traced to the problematic CVT transmission that plagued this generation of Sentras. In fact, the top three complaints about this model year were about the CVT transmission that’s prone to fail.
THE NISSAN SENTRA YEARS TO AVOID
You certainly don’t want to get one of the subpar Sentras, so without further ado, here are the Nissan Sentra years to avoid.
Avoid: 2014 Nissan Sentra
The saga of faulty CVT transmission continues with the 2014 Sentra. CarComplaints declared the 2014 Sentra as the worst model year for Nissan’s small car – no thanks to its serious transmission woes.
This problem has collected over 40 written complaints from frustrated owners, and many had to replace the transmission for an average of $3,700. In fact, many of the reports mentioned that the transmission didn’t last 100k miles when it should last for around 150k-160k miles. Easy skip.
Avoid: 2015-2017 Nissan Sentra
Unfortunately, the same theme of poor transmission continues with these three Sentra models. All three models have received the “Avoid Like the Plague” badge from CarComplaints, with hundreds of complaints that were mainly about the expensive CVT problem. In late 2019, the faulty CVT was subject to a class action lawsuit settlement, but the compensation didn’t apply to all those who were affected.
2020-Present Nissan Sentra
The current-gen Sentras are reasonably reliable, and the nightmare CVT issue was finally laid to rest.
Buy: 2020 Nissan Sentra
The 2020 Nissan Sentra benefited from a completely refreshed styling and became one of the best sedans in its class. Interior quality has also improved, especially if you opt for the upper trims. The old powertrain was also upgraded to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 149 hp. Fuel economy is also top-notch at 32 mpg, and the CVT transmission works as intended.
In terms of reliability, the 2020 Nissan Sentra knocks it out of the park. J.D. Power has named the 2020 Sentra the #1 Compact Car with a Quality & Reliability rating of 84 out of 100, which equals Great. Over at CarComplaints, the 2020 Sentra only has 114 complaints and two recalls as of this writing.
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