NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 197 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Sentra. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (59) and air bags (32). The EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sentra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 245 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2005 | 170 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 167 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 144 |
| 2011 | 142 |
| 2012 | 180 |
| 2013 | 638 |
| 2014 | 380 |
| 2015 | 352 |
| 2016 | 270 |
| 2017 | 231 |
| 2018 | 185 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 19 |
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine began to run roughly and the vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the road safely where the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but eventually had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V242000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic, the vehicle was diagnosed computer system failure, causing the vehicle to fail to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V287000 (Air Bags), which was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The dealer notified the manufacturer that the contact had refused to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
“DRIVING & ALL GAUGES IN DASHBOARD TURNED OFF. THE SAME DAY, THE CAR DIDN'T RESPOND NORMALLY WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CAR TOOK IN GAS. PARKED CAR, & LATER THAT DAY RESTARTED CAR. CAR AGAIN DIDN'T RESPOND WELL WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR. GAUGES STILL NON OPERATIONAL. CAR DIED & BATTERY TESTED BY AAA. BATTERY FOUND TO BE OK, BUT CHARGING SYSTEM WAS ISSUE. TOWED TO TOW YARD & TOLD ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEW, NOT REBUILT, ALTERNATOR REPLACED BY COUSIN & FUSE (NOT SURE WHICH ONE) WAS FOUND TO BE BLOWN & REPLACED. GAUGES WORKED AFTER FUSE & ALTERNATOR REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL DAYS LATER. CKED CAR ON AUTO ZONES FREE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL & DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE U1001 CAN COMMUNICATION LINE & P0462 SECONDARY CODE GIVEN. CAR DIED AGAIN BOUT WEEK LATER & TOWED TO PEP BOYS. PEP BOYS SAID BATTERY NEEDED REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD AAA TEST IT & AAA SAID ITS THE CHARGING SYSTEM. AAA REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER MUCH ADO. CAR TAKEN BACK TO PEP BOYS FOR 'ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS' & THEY SAID ALTERNATOR! ALTERNATOR TESTED AT SEPARATE BATTERY SHOP & TESTED FINE. LATER FOUND METER FUSE BLOWN. TOOK TO MECHANIC…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| Sentra Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| Sentra Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Sentra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (59), air bags (32), electrical system (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Sentra at 22–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).