2004 Nissan Sentra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 38 |
| 1989 | 42 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 64 |
| 1992 | 64 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1994 | 103 |
| 1995 | 118 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 58 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 236 |
| 2002 | 318 |
| 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 | 351 |
| 2016 | 269 |
| 2017 | 230 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 221 |
| 2020 | 204 |
| 2021 | 131 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 15 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
31% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 61 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2004 NISSAN SENTRA. BORN ON DATE OF APRIL 2003. BOUGHT IN OCT 2004. CURRENTLY HAS 4495 MILES. CAR STALLED TWICE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ON 04/02/2004 TO CHECK FOR PROBLEM (4331 MILES). NO FAILURE CODES INDICATED IN MEMORY OF COMPUTER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040416
16% of complaints: air bags — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL GUARD RAIL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200302
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180111
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171211
14% of complaints: electrical system — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.
13% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and storage.
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 06V242000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V287000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.
Campaign 20V008000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge.
Campaign 20V747000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 22E066000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (61 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V287000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V747000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22E066000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Nissan Sentra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.