What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Sentra?

The biggest group in NHTSA complaints is the power train. Brakes, air bags and the engine follow. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2013 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes, recalls are on file for this model year. They are listed by code in the Recalls section of this page.

How many miles does a 2013 Nissan Sentra last?

We do not have a lifespan figure. NHTSA lists the median mileage when owners reported a power train problem and an engine problem. The problems section has the group counts.

What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Nissan Sentra?

See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2013 Nissan Sentra a reliable car?

The record shows a notable number of owner complaints. Check the problems and recalls sections, and compare it with other years in the year comparison section.

2013 Nissan Sentra Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 638 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Nissan Sentra^[1]. The power train group is the biggest, with 311 complaints^[2].

638owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[3]

30–33MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in NHTSA records for this car, biggest first.

Power train. 311 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the car losing power or refusing to move when they press the gas, sometimes at a green light. Some stories mention a repair shop saying the transmission needed replacing, and others mention odd grinding sounds from under the hood.
Brakes. 97 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe loud grinding from the rear brakes, a soft pedal, and the car creeping forward while they hold the pedal at a stop.
Air bags. 96 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the passenger air bag warning light staying on even with an adult in the seat. Some say the light came back after a dealer visit.
Engine. 91 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the engine stalling while driving or just after pulling away, then starting again normally. Others describe the car slowing down on its own and then picking up speed again.
Unknown or other. 64 complaints^[9]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Speed control. 51 complaints^[10]. These reports name the speed control group.
Electrical system. 43 complaints^[11]. These reports name the electrical system group.
Fuel and propulsion system. 33 complaints^[12]. These reports name the fuel and propulsion group.

These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Sentra is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (16V244), April 2016. About 3,296,947 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (16V242), April 2016. About 645,898 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (15V681), October 2015. About 919 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Electrical System › Software (14V138), March 2014. About 989,701 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags (13V069), March 2013. About 82,038 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (13V068), March 2013. About 392 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	27 / 35 / 30	$2,250
Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	30 / 38 / 33	$2,050
Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	29 / 38 / 33	$2,050
Sentra FE, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	30 / 39 / 33	$2,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	4	4	5	4	12.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[22]	124 to 130 hp

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sentra model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	117	3
2000	171	6
2001	236	7
2002	304	10
2003	180	7
2004	197	4
2005	170	5
2006	116	5
2007	154	1
2008	167	3
2009	55	1
2010	144	3
2011	142	2
2012	180	0
2013	638	6
2014	380	5
2015	352	3
2016	270	6
2017	231	3
2018	185	2
2019	223	2
2020	206	4
2021	132	3
2022	81	2
2023	20	1
2024	41	3
2025	31	4
2026	19	1

NHTSA's counts for the Sentra show 638 complaints and 6 recalls for 2013^[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2013 (638)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2013 Sentra?

The 2013 Sentra has a long list of complaints, and the power train group stands out as the biggest^[2]. Brakes and air bags come next, close to each other^[6]^[7]. Some complaints mention crashes and injuries, so they are worth taking seriously^[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they say more about patterns than about odds. If you are shopping for one, read the recall list above and have a mechanic look at the brakes and how the car pulls away.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Sentra?: The biggest group in NHTSA complaints is the power train^[2]. Brakes^[6], air bags^[7] and the engine^[8] follow. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2013 Nissan Sentra have recalls?: Yes, recalls are on file for this model year^[3]. They are listed by code in the Recalls section of this page.
How many miles does a 2013 Nissan Sentra last?: We do not have a lifespan figure. NHTSA lists the median mileage when owners reported a power train problem^[2] and an engine problem^[8]. The problems section has the group counts.
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Nissan Sentra?: See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2013 Nissan Sentra a reliable car?: The record shows a notable number of owner complaints^[1]. Check the problems and recalls sections, and compare it with other years in the year comparison section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Sentra

2013 this page
2014 380 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 352 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 270 complaints, 6 recalls
2017 231 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 185 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 223 complaints, 2 recalls
2025 31 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Sentra

Other Nissan models from 2013

2013 Nissan Maxima 62 complaints, 0 recalls
2013 Nissan Pathfinder 890 complaints, 11 recalls
2013 Nissan Quest 18 complaints, 0 recalls
2013 Nissan Rogue 610 complaints, 1 recall
2013 Nissan Titan 11 complaints, 3 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars

2013 Lexus GS 48 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 Lincoln MKZ 122 complaints, 12 recalls
2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback 363 complaints, 12 recalls
2013 Toyota Avalon 160 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Toyota Prius 426 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Volkswagen Passat 749 complaints, 9 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 638 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Nissan Sentra (24 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 20 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
311 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Sentra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
97 complaints name the brakes component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
96 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,525). NHTSA vehicle records
91 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,870). NHTSA vehicle records
64 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,125). NHTSA vehicle records
51 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
33 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,749). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V244, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V242, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V681, filed October 20, 2015: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V138, filed March 25, 2014: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V069, filed March 1, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V068, filed March 1, 2013: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra FE, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 39 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 124 to 130 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2013 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and fuel economy