Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Nissan Sentra problems

Owners filed 638 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA between Oct 2012 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is power train (311).

Complaints
638
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  11. Suspension7
  12. Wheels7
  13. Structure5
  14. Exterior lighting4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
201343
201452
201554
201644
201763
2018115
2019107
202050
202133
202226
202325
202412
20258
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 crashes4 related recalls
“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

Engine

87 reports2 crashes3 fires
“Erractic rpms. Shakes/hesitant on take off from stop. Accelerator can be pushed all the way and it goes 5mph. Shifting takes a good minute with shakiness. Can not drive in rush hour traffic almost got accident many times.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2026Engine, Lane departureODI 11730515

Vehicle speed control

51 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2025Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11646532

Electrical system

43 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“IPDM failure on 3 Nissan vehicles customer owned all having same issues, after taking unit apart, compositors on exact same spots all burnt. As we'll as several places (including spots where issue happened) missing Conformal coatings to protect the entire board from moisture. -Whitmer automotive LLC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2023Electrical systemODI 11523821
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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