The 2017 Nissan Sentra is associated with 230 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 48 reports (21% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.8l 4-cyl and 1.6l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 27 to 32 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 230 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (48 / 21%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 29 crash / 6 fire / 18 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 27–32 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 MPG | 35 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 27 MPG | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,600 / yr |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 MPG | 32 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,700 / yr |
| Sentra Nismo | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 31 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Sentra Nismo | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 25 MPG | 30 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 11.799999999999999% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Nissan Sentra models.
View complete 2017 Nissan Sentra crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2017 Nissan Sentra problems & component breakdown (68 categories) →
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS
Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
View all 2017 Nissan Sentra recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →