Research · Midsize Cars

2023 Nissan SentraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 20 owner complaints for the 2023 Nissan Sentra. Most complaints involve electrical system (8) and forward collision avoidance (5). The EPA rates it 32–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
32–33mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
20
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Air bagsReported Feb 27, 2024NHTSA 24V154000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2023 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Forward collision avoidance5
  3. Steering4
  4. Back over prevention3
  5. Engine3
  6. Power train2
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Vehicle speed control1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
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

Electrical system

8 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway and shifted to park(P), the vehicle started to slowly roll backwards unexpectedly. While attempting to re-enter the vehicle to stop the vehicle, the contact was knocked to the floor by the driver’s side door. The contact sustained injuries to the knees, back, thighs, and a concussion. The contact received medical treatment and an appointment for an MRI was scheduled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11725886

Forward collision avoidance

5 reports
“After 8 months of driving my car brand new I started experiencing multiple intermittent malfunctions in the dash board & infotainment system. I have documentation of DTC codes current in my ECU. These codes each dealership refused to find and instead replaced my car battery, wiping the codes & replacing my infotainment system after it completely failed. After repeated repair attempts each dealership failed to successfully repair under warranty & told me to drive the car as normal when these malfunctions continued. These electrical malfunctions were at one point affecting my alternator which I also have documentation of. The car has lost power yet the engine stays running while I am driving. My handsfree is intermittent everyday. I am now way past my warranty & extended warranty due to following dealerships advice to drive the car as normal and bring back. These ongoing malfunctions create unreasonable safety risk which I believe falls under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 — the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A third party diagnostics shop told me my car would have to be taken apart to find the grounding issues as this is clearly a manufacturing defect.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2026Steering, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11719365

Steering

4 reports1 crash
“First incident I was driving and my dashboard turned off all the speedometers went to zero all lights turned off. I was able to safely pull over and as I pulled over my dash came back on with malfunction lights flashing - I took pictures tried to get the dealership to duplicate it and they could not. Second incident is my radio, auxiliary ports and center dash screen. After a couple of malfunctions where the radio would turn off and come back on, it finally completely turned off and will not turn back on. I cannot use the radio, back up camera, nor auxiliary ports. Took it to 3 different dealerships where the last one was able to duplicate it due to it not turning back on. Ordered the radio it's on back order with no eta! Brand new 2023 just a year old.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11611072
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
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, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293933$1,950268
Sentra SR
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283732$2,000283
  • Sentra
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 39 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra SR
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    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
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 18388
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

2023 Sentra questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Sentra have?

1 safety recall 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 2023 Nissan Sentra problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (8), forward collision avoidance (5), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Nissan Sentra get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Nissan Sentra at 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Nissan Sentra 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026