Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Nissan Sentra VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 54 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1990–2026 cover that year.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Nissan has sold the Sentra in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been eight generations. The Gen 2 came first (1990); Gen 3 (1991–1994), Gen 4 (1995–1999), Gen 5 (2000–2006), Gen 6 (2007–2012), Gen 7 (2013–2019), Gen 8 (2020–2025) followed, and the Gen 9 took over for 2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 54 vehicle recall campaigns and 5,821 owner complaints. The 2013 has the most complaints of any model year (638). EPA rates the Gen 2 at 25–28 mpg combined, while the Gen 9 gets 32–33 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Eight generations since the 1990 model year. The Gen 7 (2013–2019) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 5 (2000–2006) the most recall campaigns (16).
Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 39 NHTSA complaints.
1N4GB22B?LC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1990 Nissan Sentra, built in Smyrna, TennesseeMentions in 282 NHTSA complaints.
1N4EB31P?RC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1994 Nissan Sentra, built in Smyrna, TennesseeMentions in 483 NHTSA complaints.
1N4AB41D?TC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1996 Nissan Sentra, built in Smyrna, TennesseeMentions in 1,374 NHTSA complaints.
3N1CB51D?1L······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2001 Nissan Sentra, built in Aguascalientes City, AguascalientesMentions in 842 NHTSA complaints.
3N1AB6AP?CL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2012 Nissan Sentra, built in Aguascalientes City, AguascalientesMentions in 2,276 NHTSA complaints.
3N1AB7AP?DL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2013 Nissan Sentra, built in Aguascalientes City, AguascalientesMentions in 509 NHTSA complaints.
3N1AB8CV?LY······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Nissan Sentra SV, built in Aguascalientes, AguascalientesMentions in 16 NHTSA complaints.
3N1AB9CV?TY······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2026 Nissan Sentra SV, built in Aguascalientes, AguascalientesNHTSA has 54 campaigns on file for Sentra model years 1990–2026, and the 2002 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2003 (8). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2013 (638 of 5,821). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 16 complaints, 2026.
Rear camera / back-over prevention leads the list with 4 mentions, yet no earlier Sentra generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Its first model year, the 2026, drew more complaints than any other (16 of 16).
Mentions in 509 complaints, 2020–2025.
The 2020 stands out. On its own it has 205 of the ’s 509 complaints (40%), and owners across the generation name forward collision avoidance most often (149 mentions), then steering (144).
Mentions in 2,276 complaints, 2013–2019.
Its first model year, the 2013, drew more complaints than any other (638 of 2,276). Owners across the generation name powertrain most often (969 mentions), then engine and cooling (355).
Mentions in 842 complaints, 2007–2012.
By area, nothing stands out. Air bags lead with 183, with engine and cooling (164) and the powertrain (145) close behind. Of the six model years, the 2012 (180) and 2008 (167) drew the most complaints.
Mentions in 1,374 complaints, 2000–2006.
Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 678 mentions are more than twice the next area, electrical system (226). Complaints peak with the 2002 (304 of 1,374).
Mentions in 483 complaints, 1995–1999.
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the ’s, at 126 of 483 (26.1%, against 10.0% across all Sentra model years). Complaints peak with the 1996 (141 of 483). Owners across the generation name air bags most often (163 mentions), then brakes (72).
Mentions in 282 complaints, 1991–1994.
Fires come up in 32 complaints, or 11.3% against 2.0% for all Sentra model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Complaints peak with the 1994 (99 of 282). Owners across the generation name seat belts most often (67 mentions), then brakes (49).
Mentions in 39 complaints, 1990.
Complaints peak with the 1990, its first model year, at 39 of 39. Owners across the generation name seat belts most often (16 mentions), then engine and cooling (9).
Complaint volume is moderate. On the 2020, forward collision avoidance is the largest NHTSA category, with owners describing automatic emergency braking faults, and steering reports often mention bent tie rods, the subject of recalls on 2020–2022 cars. Another recall covers camera harness damage that can distort the rearview image. CarComplaints has only a handful of 2020 reports, led by braking without reason, a no start with the malfunction light on and a door edge injury. [1] [2]
The CVT is the defining problem of this generation. On the 2013, power train is the largest NHTSA category, with owners describing jerking, hesitation, stalling and transmission failure, and CarComplaints says the 2013–2017 Sentra has a costly CVT failure defect that was the subject of a class action settlement in late 2019. Recalls on early cars cover the passenger occupant classification system, which could keep the air bag from deploying correctly. [3] [4]
Complaint volume is lower on this generation, but the transmission still leads. For the 2012, power train is the largest NHTSA category, with CVT failures and loss of power among the reports, and CarComplaints ranks transmission failure first for 2012, followed by a transmission clunk and a sunroof that shattered. [5] [6]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Sentra talk on Reddit centers on the redesigned 2026 and 2027 car. Owners and people who drove one as a loaner or rental like its sharp styling, smooth ride and strong fuel economy for a gas car, and some find it more refined than a Corolla. The CVT still makes shoppers nervous, though a Nissan technician and other owners say the newer chain-type units rarely come in for replacement. Nearly everyone stresses regular CVT fluid changes. Gripes include touchscreen climate controls on upper trims and a modest Bose system.
Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.
Every Sentra version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 6 · fires 3 · injuries 10 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 8 · fires 10 · injuries 6 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 8 · fires 15 · injuries 5
Crashes 8 · fires 2 · injuries 8
Crashes 20 · fires 5 · injuries 19
Crashes 26 · fires 3 · injuries 36 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 43 · fires 1 · injuries 33
Crashes 26 · fires 2 · injuries 26 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 17 · fires 2 · injuries 13 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 14 · fires 0 · injuries 9
Crashes 20 · fires 4 · injuries 11
Crashes 20 · fires 2 · injuries 12
Crashes 19 · fires 6 · injuries 22
Crashes 13 · fires 1 · injuries 8
Crashes 20 · fires 0 · injuries 18 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 13 · fires 4 · injuries 13
Crashes 22 · fires 1 · injuries 17
Crashes 21 · fires 10 · injuries 30 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 20 · fires 3 · injuries 17
Crashes 9 · fires 0 · injuries 11 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 11 · fires 4 · injuries 8
Crashes 19 · fires 6 · injuries 14
Crashes 10 · fires 4 · injuries 10
Crashes 24 · fires 4 · injuries 20 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 27 · fires 6 · injuries 18
Crashes 23 · fires 3 · injuries 23
Crashes 18 · fires 2 · injuries 13
Crashes 29 · fires 6 · injuries 21
Crashes 17 · fires 3 · injuries 10 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 16 · fires 1 · injuries 18
Crashes 8 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 14 · fires 1 · injuries 8
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 8
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 1
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 151 Sentra versions for model years 1990–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 262 g/mi (2025). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
25–28 mpg · CO₂ 317–355 g/mi
23–29 mpg · CO₂ 306–386 g/mi
23–29 mpg · CO₂ 306–386 g/mi
22–28 mpg · CO₂ 317–404 g/mi
24–29 mpg · CO₂ 306–370 g/mi
27–33 mpg · CO₂ 265–330 g/mi
32–34 mpg · CO₂ 262–283 g/mi
32–33 mpg · CO₂ 268–278 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2020–2025. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the Sentra, while the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have 11 each. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2013–2019
Model years 2013–2019
Model years 2013–2019
Model years 2020–2025
Model years 2020–2025
Model years 2020–2025
Model years 2026
Model years 2026
Model years 2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Locate the Sentra's VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a door sill stamp beneath the driver's door on some model years complete the secondary locations. The Gen 9 generation starts with the 2026 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (T for 2026) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2013 leads with 638, ahead of the 2014 (380) and 2015 (351). Those first two alone make up 17% of the 5,821 Sentra complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 54 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 5 leads with 16. Then come the Gen 7 (13), Gen 8 (12), Gen 4 (5), Gen 6 (5), Gen 2 (2), Gen 3 (2) and Gen 9 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.
20V-008 and 24V-154 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-084, 05V-269, 06V-223, 10V-401, 13V-068, 23V-421 and 24V-498. Do-not-drive advisories came with 20V-747. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the Gen 2 is 1990 and the Gen 3 1991–1994. Gen 4 spans 1995–1999, Gen 5 2000–2006, Gen 6 2007–2012, Gen 7 2013–2019, Gen 8 2020–2025 and Gen 9 2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (T is 2026).
It varies. EPA rates the 2026 Gen 9 at 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 25–28 mpg for the 1990 Gen 2 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2026 models the Sentra has 1 NHTSA recall campaign. The Honda Civic has 1, the Toyota Corolla 1. Complaints run 16, 29 and 17 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Sentra 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.