CarBrief

Owners filed 231 complaints about the 2017 Sentra with NHTSA, most often naming the power train and engine[1][2][3]. Three recalls apply, and each lists a free dealer remedy[4][5][6].

231owner complaints[1]
3recalls[7]
27–32MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 231 owner complaints for this car[1]. Of those, 29 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 21 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The groups with the most complaints:

We read a small sample of complaint texts for some of these groups, so treat the themes below as examples, not as how common each problem is.

In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 6 describe transmission trouble such as harsh or missed shifts, hesitation or a transmission that needed replacing[2]. 4 describe slow or hesitant acceleration or lost power[2].

In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 3 describe the car stalling or shutting off and 3 describe trouble with push-button starting[3].

In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 5 describe a car that would not start, often tied to the brake pedal sensor or the start button[11]. 5 describe the car shutting off while driving[11].

In a sample of 12 speed control complaints, 6 describe weak or slow acceleration[12]. 2 describe acceleration that did not stop as the driver expected[12].

The air bag group is small, but its crash and injury counts are high next to the other groups: 18 crashes and 13 injuries[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls that cover this car[7]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and transmission[16][8][17][18]. The annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Fuel cost per year
1.8L, manual 6-speed[16] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
1.8L, automatic (variable gear ratios)[8] 29 / 37 / 32 $2,100
1.6L turbo, manual 6-speed[17] 26 / 32 / 28 $2,950
1.6L turbo, automatic (AV-S7)[18] 27 / 33 / 29 $2,850
Nismo 1.6L turbo, manual 6-speed[19] 25 / 31 / 27 $3,050
Nismo 1.6L turbo, automatic (AV-S7)[20] 25 / 30 / 27 $3,050

The 1.8L automatic is the most efficient at 32 combined MPG[8]. EPA rates the turbo versions and the Nismo on premium fuel[17][18][19][20].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4-door front-wheel-drive Sentra 4 stars overall, 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[9]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 11.8%[9].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. The 1.6L 4-cylinder is rated 188 hp[21]. The 1.8L 4-cylinder is rated 124 to 130 hp depending on version[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Sedan Turbo sedan
Length[23][24] 182 in 183 in
Width[23][24] 69 in 69 in
Height[23][24] 59 in 59 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 106 in 106 in
Curb weight[23][24] 2,866 lb 3,020 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1995: 117 complaints, 3 recalls19952000: 171 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 236 complaints, 7 recalls2002: 304 complaints, 10 recalls20022003: 180 complaints, 7 recalls2004: 197 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 170 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 116 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 154 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 167 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 55 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 144 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 142 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 180 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 638 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 380 complaints, 5 recalls20142015: 352 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 270 complaints, 6 recalls2017: 231 complaints, 3 recalls23120172018: 185 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 223 complaints, 2 recalls2020: 206 complaints, 4 recalls20202021: 132 complaints, 3 recalls2022: 81 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 20 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 41 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 31 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sentra model year. The 2017 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951173
20001716
20012367
200230410
20031807
20041974
20051705
20061165
20071541
20081673
2009551
20101443
20111422
20121800
20136386
20143805
20153523
20162706
20172313
20181852
20192232
20202064
20211323
2022812
2023201
2024413
2025314
2026191

The 2017 model year has 231 complaints and 3 recalls[7]. Nearby years look like this[7]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2013[7] 638 6
2014[7] 380 5
2015[7] 352 3
2016[7] 270 6
2017[7] 231 3
2018[7] 185 2
2019[7] 223 2
2020[7] 206 4

The 2017 car has fewer complaints than 2013 through 2016 and more than 2018, 2019 and 2020[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2017 Sentra?

The record shows a car with no reported deaths among 231 complaints, a 4-star overall NHTSA rating and 27 to 32 combined MPG depending on version[1][9][16][8][19][20]. The complaints lean toward the power train, engine and electrical system, and some owners in our sample describe stalling, shifting trouble and starting problems[2][3][11]. Check that the brake light, ignition switch and air bag inflator recalls were done, since each has a free remedy[4][5][6]. Ask for service records on the transmission. If you want the lowest fuel bill, the 1.8L automatic is rated best[8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
The largest named complaint groups on file with NHTSA are power train (76), engine (49) and electrical system (33), after an unknown or other group of 38, out of 231 complaints in total[1][2][3][10][11].
Does the 2017 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes, 3[7]: brake light switch 21V135, ignition switch 18V551 and passenger air bag inflator 17V253. Each lists a free remedy[4][5][6].
What MPG does the 2017 Nissan Sentra get?
EPA combined ratings run from 27 to 32 MPG depending on version[16][8][17][18][19][20]. The 1.8L automatic gets 32 combined[8].
How safe is the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side crashes[9].
How does the 2017 Sentra compare with other years?
It has 231 complaints, fewer than 2013 through 2016 (638, 380, 352 and 270) and more than 2018 (185), 2019 (223) and 2020 (206)[7].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 231 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Nissan Sentra (29 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 76 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 49 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,303). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 21V135, filed March 3, 2021: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V551, filed August 21, 2018: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V253, filed April 13, 2017: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Sentra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 26 complaints name the air bags component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 15 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 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
  17. EPA rating for Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Nissan Sentra with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 188 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 124 to 130 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SENTRA 4DR SEDAN: length 182 in, width 69 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,866 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SENTRA TURBO 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,020 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.