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
- 197
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
31% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 197 complaints
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 | 352 |
| 2016 | 269 |
| 2017 | 231 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
31% · 61 reportsMost commonly citing engine and cooling system.
Show 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, 2004-04-16
Air bags
16% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show 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, 2020-03-02
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, 2018-01-11
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, 2017-12-11
Electrical system
14% · 28 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.
Engine
13% · 26 reportsFuel system, gasoline
13% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and storage.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2004Complaint volume 197 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2006-09-20Engine and engine cooling06V242000 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…
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.
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I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-06-15Air bags15V287000 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.
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2020-02-12Air bags20V008000 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.
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2021-01-22Air bags20V747000 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.
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I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2022-09-23Air bags22E066000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 61 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 28 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06V242000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 15V287000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V008000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V747000 · Air bags
- Recall 22E066000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.