2005 Nissan Sentra
The Verdict
The 2005 Nissan Sentra has 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (110 complaints) and electrical (25 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 60/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Sentra, consider the 2023 model year which has 89% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2023 has 89% fewer complaints
View the 2023 Nissan Sentra dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR HOSE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FORMED CORRECTLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH A FULL FUEL TANK, FUEL MAY...
Risk
THE VAPOR CANISTER COULD BECOME FULL, AND EXCESS FUEL COULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VAPOR HOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF A POOR SEAL EXISTS. IF A POOR SEAL IS IDENTIFIED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN...
Reported Jul 6, 2005
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 47 | 7 | 34 | 81 | 7 |
| 2001 | 61 | 21 | 45 | 111 | 7 |
| 2002 | 62 | 10 | 78 | 169 | 14 |
| 2003 | 16 | 3 | 37 | 117 | 6 |
| 2004 | 18 | 8 | 52 | 113 | 6 |
| 2005 | 19 | 12 | 25 | 110 | 4 |
| 2006 | 24 | 4 | 35 | 46 | 7 |
| 2007 | 53 | 17 | 40 | 30 | 14 |
| 2008 | 48 | 18 | 53 | 31 | 17 |
| 2009 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 9 | 2 |
| 2010 | 27 | 1 | 60 | 44 | 12 |
| 2011 | 36 | 13 | 39 | 38 | 15 |
| 2012 | 47 | 5 | 26 | 47 | 55 |
| 2013 | 66 | 85 | 95 | 117 | 275 |
| 2014 | 53 | 30 | 63 | 75 | 159 |
| 2015 | 61 | 13 | 49 | 77 | 147 |
| 2016 | 43 | 18 | 46 | 58 | 101 |
| 2017 | 49 | 15 | 48 | 53 | 63 |
| 2018 | 47 | 35 | 34 | 25 | 42 |
| 2019 | 51 | 34 | 66 | 24 | 44 |
| 2020 | 124 | 24 | 38 | 9 | 7 |
| 2021 | 58 | 23 | 33 | 7 | 4 |
| 2022 | 43 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2025 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2005 Nissan Sentra stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
I purchased a 2005 Nissan Sentra on [XXX] from TMZ Auto Sales. The front passenger and driver side calipers, rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, front driver side hub bearings and knuckle hook up, were replaced by me, and the left passenger side ball joint needs to be repaired. All repairs were done within 30-60 days of purchase. The dealer replaced the front driver side caliper and brake, but I had to replace them a second time, and the dealership also replaced the sensor that he thought needed to be replaced, but the check engine light is still on. I was driving to and from work with my grandchildren and the brakes, calipers, rotors would start to malfunction. My daughter and myself were driving when the front driver side and passenger brake hose malfunctioned. The dealership confirmed that both front calipers and brake pads needed to be replaced and he claimed to have fixed them both when he came to my house. The dealership also knew that both front brake hoses needed to be repaired and told me to have them replaced by the guy who was repairing the front passenger side caliper and brake that he allegedly fixed. The other problems were confirmed and resolved by my friends who work on cars. The front driver side brakes started to make a squeaking noise on September 2nd 2025 and I took the vehicle to my friend who works on cars. and he stated that the front passenger side brakes and caliper was not functioning properly. The car has not been inspected by anyone. The check engine light was on when I purchased the vehicle. The dealership worker, Wesley, stated that the check engine light might be related to the car needing a new gas cap. Wesley also stated prior to me purchasing the car that the car runs good, "I only need to change both brake pads and calipers". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Nissan Dealer locally will not repair my vehicle as per the recall for my air bags. Have driven out of town to a Nissan dealer and they said they did not have the part in stock and could not fix it. I would like to have my car fixed before the passenger air bag EXPLODES.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30-35 mph, the vehicle revved up and accelerated without warning. The contact downshifted to slow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
I had an appointment for 10am I called ahead to confirm the estimated amount of time I was told it would take 2-4 hours. When I arrived they refused to service my vehicle they claimed they we're busy and refused to service my recall and treated me like a nuisance and with little respect. I spoke to the Nissan representative of San Leandro on Marina Blvd.
I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR BUT HAD STOPPED TO LET TRAFFIC BY (IN A TURN LANE) WHEN AN ONCOMING TRUCK BARRELLED TOWARD ME & HIT ME HEAD-ON, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. HIS TRUCK BENT IN THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY SENTRA BUT MY NEITHER MY DRIVER-SIDE OR PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF TO PROTECT ME & MY DAUGHTER! THERE IS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS, CITING THEY COULD ERUPT & ARE DANGEROUS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOOD OR BAD THAT THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY?? WE WERE STOPPED & STILL IN A TURN LANE ON A CITY STREET. MY CAR WAS TOTALLED & WRECKER GOT IT. FEW WEEKS LATER IT WAS SENT TO SALVAGE/AUCTION COMPANY. I AM DISABLED &CAN'T UPLOAD PICTURES ETC BUT CAN SEND YOU EMAIL W OF MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER & POLICE REPORT IF YOU TELL WHERE TO SEND IT. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THINGS, ETC. I JUST THINK THE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT DIDN'T. HOWEVER I HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE CAR IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL YET, AS TOLD TO DO BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT.
DO NOT PASS SMOG. UNKNOWN REASON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER NISSAN OF VACAVILLE (671 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687, (707) 474-4846) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDING IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED DUBLIN NISSAN LOCATED AT 2046 VETERANS BLVD, DUBLIN, GA 31021 EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH SHE AND THE PASSENGER HEADS COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CUTS TO THE HEAD AND BACK PAINS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HEAD, NECK AND BACK PAINS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE OTHER VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AT FONTANA NISSAN (16444 S HIGHLAND AVE, FONTANA, CA 92336 (909) 574-2288) SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS AFTER THE COLLISON. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $2500 AND THIS CAR ONLY HAS 64000 MILES ON IT.THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BANISTER NISSAN OF CHESAPEAKE (LOCATED AT 930 N BATTLEFIELD BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 214-6342) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AND STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. PIIR = Y.
MY FUEL LINE IS NOT STANDING UP TO WORK AND IS LEADKING, SAME AS THE KIA. EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO TAKE CAREOF THIS
I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN SENTRA FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN 2007 WITH THE TOTAL MILEAGE OF 9,100. AFTER SIX MONTHS OF DRIVING THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM I HAVE USED FOR ALL MY AUTOMOBILES. I WAS TOLD THE SEAL ON THE VAPOR HOSE WAS LOOSE AND HE COULD TIGHTEN IT, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THE COST TO REPAIR THE SEAL WAS OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE. SINCE 2007 THE SERVICE LIGHT ON MY DASH WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO SWITCH OFF BEFORE I COULD GO FOR AN INSPECTION STICKER. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE INSPECTORS AT THE STATION TOLD ME OF THE VAPOR LEAK AND WERE NICE ENOUGH TO TIGHTEN THE SEAL TO THE VAPOR HOSE SO THE CAR COULD PASS INSPECTION. TO DATE THE SEAL ON THE VAPOR HOSE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE VIN ON THIS SPECIFIC 2005 NISSAN SENTRA DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V269000 FOR THE FUEL TANK VAPOR HOSE. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. AND IT IS A PROBLEM. STARTED 01/07/2010
I WAS SITTING A STOP LIGHT IN TRAFFIC AND MY CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT CUT BACK ON. I WAS OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO HAVE A STRANGER HELP ME PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD IN BUSY HIGHWAY LUNCHTIME TRAFFIC TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THEN HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF WARRANTY 07V527000. BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED, EVEN THOUGH IT FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KNOWN ISSUE EXACTLY SO I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND DROVE HOME AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND LOCATED A 'P03355' FAILURE CODE REGARDING THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIRST TEAM NISSAN (6520 PETERS CREEK ROAD, ROANOKE, VA 24019, (540)-362-4800) AND A FAILURE CODE WAS LOCATED AT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA15001 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER FUELING CAR (I.E. PUMP AUTO SHUTS OFF) AND FUEL PUMP IS REMOVED, A GURGLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM WITHIN THE CAR'S FUEL FILLER AND THEN GASOLINE IS PUSHED OUT AND OVERFLOWS, SPILLING OUT DANGEROUSLY ONTO THE GROUND. CAR IS STATIONARY, TURNED OFF, AT GAS STATION WITH KEYS REMOVED. HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.
I FILED A POLICE REPORT AND HAVE MEDICAL BILLS FROM ACCIDENT WITH INSURANCE COMPANY FARM BUREAU - BRAKES DID NOT WORK
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND SLOWED DOWN GOING SO ME RAL ROAD TRACKS AND THE. CAR STALLED, IT SCARED HER A LOT BEING SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY, SHE WAS ABEL TO PULL OVER HALF SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF NOT KNOWING THE CAR HAD STALLED AND AS YOU KNOW WHEN A CAR STALLES AND YOUR IGNITION IS ON ON ALL YOUR WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY, SHE WAS VERY FORTUNATE SHE DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT, THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAD NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, MY SON TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECKED AT A PARTS STORE AND SAID IT HAD A BAD BATTERY SO HE REPLACED IT. SHE'S A COLLEGE STUDENT, AFTER NIGHT CLASS WAS GOING BACK TO HER APARTMENT, GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY ON TO THE RAMP CAME TO A LIGHT AND TURNED GREEN SO SHE DID NOT HAVE TO STOP AS SHE WAS TURNING CAR STALLED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, SHE PANICKED BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT A CAR OR TRUCK WOULD REAR END HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. CAR STALLED AND DID NOT WANT TO START FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT FINALLY SRATED AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. DID OT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES TOOK IT TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY AND DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD, SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE, I HOPE SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE EVER AGAIN. WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THAT SHE COULD OF HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND NOW I GO ONLINE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND NISSAN DOES NOT COVER THIS DEFECT THAT THEY SAY ONLY CERTAIN MODELS OR ENGINE SIZE WERE IN THERE RECALL COST OVER $300.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED, PLUS MY CAR ALSO HAS A OTHER DEFECT WITCH SOME TIMES HAS A HARD TIME STARTING BECAUSE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE, THEY SAY THERE IS A REPAIR KIT YOU CAN BUY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED, IT COST ABOUT THORPE SAME AMOUNT AS IF YOU WERE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL PUMP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
170 total