Research · Midsize Cars

2013 Nissan SentraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 638 owner complaints for the 2013 Nissan Sentra. Most complaints involve power train (311) and air bags (96). The EPA rates it 30–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–33mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
638
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2016NHTSA 16V242000

Air bags: occupant classification

Remedy pending

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2016NHTSA 16V244000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Air bagsReported Oct 20, 2015NHTSA 15V681000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

638 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2012 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train311
  2. Air bags96
  3. Service brakes95
  4. Engine87
  5. Vehicle speed control51
  6. Electrical system43
  7. Fuel/propulsion system33
  8. Steering16
  9. Seat belts13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sentra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000171
2001245
2002333
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011142
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015352
2016270
2017231
2018185
2019223
2020207
2021133
202281
202320
202441
202531
202619
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
20
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

311 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that similar model year vehicles were recalled for the transmission failure; however, the VIN was not included in a powertrain recall. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked in the backyard for over a year and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was not provided.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2025Power trainODI 11693618

Air bags

96 reports11 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS), and the contact was provided a letter stating that the vehicle was eligible for additional repairs for 15 years. The manufacturer was contacted, a case was filed, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to honor the letter and provided an estimate for the diagnostic test, and the contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer then closed the case. The failure mileage was approximately 16,050.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Air bagsODI 11746802

Service brakes

95 reports9 crashes
“It was 108 degree outside at 4:30 pm in the zip code of 89052. At a sloped intersection on a major street I stopped for the light. When the light turned green I tried to accelerate the car, it failed to accelerate, the break did not function, and the steering was difficult. The car stalled. The car started rolling downhill. I was able to turn the car to the next street ~20 yards down the intersection. The street had no slope and no other cars at the time. The car eventually stopped. But that was a dangerous incident and it could be much worse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2021Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11424215
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sentra
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950268
Sentra
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, California Emission Control System · Front-Wheel Drive
293833$1,950273
Sentra FE
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303933$1,950267
Sentra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150297
  • Sentra
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, California Emission Control System
    29 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra FE
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    30 city · 39 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 7568
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Sentra questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Sentra have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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.

What are the most common 2013 Nissan Sentra problems?

Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (311), air bags (96), service brakes (95). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Nissan Sentra get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Nissan Sentra at 30–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Nissan Sentra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026