Here Are The Nissan Sentra Years To Avoid
We've rounded up seven Nissan Sentra years to avoid. See which ones (and which Sentra years are considered safe to buy used).
Nissan’s primary compact car in North America, the Sentra, has been highly successful for decades, and for a good reason. Known for its safety above all else, the Sentra has been finetuned over the years to become sleeker, roomier, and even more reliable. However, not every year model of the Nissan Sentra stands on equal footing.
Although Nissan has toiled away to perfect the Sentra as much as possible, only some experiments have been a runaway success, making specific models inferior to others. With that being said, you certainly don’t want to get one of the subpar Sentras, so without further ado, here are the Nissan Sentra years to avoid.
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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. The primary problems reported with these cars are blown head gaskets and transmission failure. The 2013 and 2014 models, in particular, are exceptionally egregious. With a plethora of great Sentras to choose from, there’s no reason for you to go near any of these malfunctioning models.
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Which Year Models of Nissan Sentra are Safe to Buy Used?
Most of the many Nissan Sentra year models out there are great compact cars. At its best, the Sentra is a lovely vehicle renowned for keeping its passengers safe and comfortable, and with so many year models satisfying those needs, there’s little reason to get one that won’t make you happy. Here are the safest Nissan Sentra models you can buy, and we recommend all of them:
- Nissan Sentra 1984-2003
- Nissan Sentra 2006
- Nissan Sentra 2007
- Nissan Sentra 2009
- Nissan Sentra 2010
- Nissan Sentra 2011
- Nissan Sentra 2016
- Nissan Sentra 2017
- Nissan Sentra 2018
- Nissan Sentra 2019
- Nissan Sentra 2020
- Nissan Sentra 2021
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE NISSAN SENTRA
Not all Sentra models are created equal, and some years are more reliable than others. Thus, what year is the most reliable Nissan Sentra?
Nissan Sentras from 1984 to 1993 have very few complaints across the board and should be solid purchases. However, it’s worth noting that these are older cars, and there’s no telling what the condition of one particular used car will be until you see it. While there’s nothing wrong with these year models in their manufacturing, you must have a trusted expert check-up on any used car you find to ensure that specific vehicle is fully functional. You never know what’s happened to it throughout its life, so it’s great to have your local mechanic give it the thumbs up before you make a purchase.
A few 1994 Sentras have had minor problems with their fuel injectors, but for the most part, this is a solid car. Year models from 1995 to 1999 have had very few complaints, just like the models before 1994, so you should have nothing to worry about with those. Much like the 1994 Sentra, the 2000 year model also had a few complaints about fuel injectors, but they were minor. The 2001-2003 year models had some drivers say that their engines gave out or their head gaskets blew out, but the problems weren’t widespread enough for this to be deemed a real issue with those year models in particular; these occurrences were likely due to wear and tear over the years.
The same is true for 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Nissan Sentras. A few 2016 and 2017 models had minor transmission issues, but they’re extremely rare and unlikely to happen to you. For the last few years in a row, it seems that Nissan has hit it out of the park with reliable Sentras, so those should be totally safe to buy used.
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Which Year Models of Nissan Sentra to Avoid:
Given that so many years of Nissan Sentras have been released, it’s only natural that a few mistakes would slip through the cracks. We recommend avoiding the following Nissan Sentra year models as they’ve had a litany of problems:
- Nissan Sentra 2004
- Nissan Sentra 2005
- Nissan Sentra 2008
- Nissan Sentra 2012
- Nissan Sentra 2013
- Nissan Sentra 2014
- Nissan Sentra 2015
The 2004 and 2005 year models of the Nissan Sentra are notorious for their engine problems. Blown head gaskets are widely reported for these two cars, costing around $2,000 to repair. The 2008 Sentra has had its fair share of issues with its transmission and, surprisingly, its wheels. Rusted rims have plagued a few drivers of the 2008 Sentra, and total transmission failure has also been reported a few times.
For Nissan Sentras released between 2012 and 2015, transmission failure is the number one problem. The 2013 and 2014 models are the worst Sentras manufactured today, with over a hundred complaints each. Transmission failure is a severe issue because your transmission is what sends power to your wheels, allowing you to control your steering and drive as you wish. If your transmission suddenly fails while driving at high speed, the consequences could be disastrous.
For this reason, we implore you to avoid these Nissan Sentra year models at all costs. There are so many fully functioning models available that you shouldn’t go out and buy one that could put your safety at risk.
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Nissan Sentra Problem Counts by Year
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. Major issues include transmission failure and blown head gaskets.
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Common Nissan Sentra Problems
Being in production for more than three decades, the Nissan has its fair share of reliability woes. Here are some of the most common Nissan Sentra problems prospective buyers should know:
- Defective brakes: Faulty brakes are a recurring issue for many Sentra owners. Some 2013 Sentra owners claimed that the brakes don’t engage until you put your foot down the pedal and it reaches the floor. The issue was tracked to the premature failure of the master brake cylinder.
- Transmission issues: Several models of the Nissan Sentra struggled with transmission issues, particularly models with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). These transmissions are prone to losing power, leading to stalling and even failure.
- Unusual noises: Owners of the 2016 Sentra reported hearing screeching and loud howling noises while traveling at high speeds. It’s not the most concerning issue, but it does put you on the edge because you’ll wonder what’s going on with your vehicle.
- Suspension problems: According to owners of the 2017 Sentra, they kept hearing loud thumping noises from the suspension while driving at low speeds. The issue becomes even worse during cold weather. Some model years reportedly also had transmission noises like clicking, creaking, and rattling.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nissan Sentra Years To Avoid
Q: Which Nissan Sentra model years should I avoid buying?
A: It’s best to steer clear of the 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Nissan Sentra models. These particular years have been reported to have significant issues, such as blown head gaskets and transmission failures, which can be costly to repair and compromise your safety on the road.
Q: What are the primary problems with the 2004 and 2005 Nissan Sentra models?
A: The 2004 and 2005 Nissan Sentra year models are notorious for engine problems, particularly blown head gaskets. Repairing a blown head gasket can cost around $2,000, making it a significant expense for owners of these model years.
Q: What is the most common problem with Nissan Sentras released between 2012 and 2015?
A: Transmission failure was the most prevalent issue with Nissan Sentras from 2012 to 2015. The 2013 and 2014 models are considered the worst Sentras manufactured to date, with over a hundred complaints related to transmission problems.
Q: Which Nissan Sentra model years are considered safe to buy used?
A: Many Nissan Sentra model years are reliable and safe to purchase used. Generally, Sentras from 1984 to 2003 and 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2016 to 2021 have had fewer reported problems and are considered safer bets when buying a used Nissan Sentra.
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