2004 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 197 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 197 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic, the vehicle was diagnosed computer system failure, causing the vehicle to fail to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V287000 (Air Bags), which was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The dealer notified the manufacturer that the contact had refused to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2025
“1.) Both driver and passenger airbag replacement replacements. 2.) If I get into a reck then me and my passenger have a chance of death due to the recall on the airbags. 3.) Yes. 4.) No. 5.) Unknown. Every time I schedule to get the recall fixed either the shops don't have the parts or they don't have the time to do it.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2023
“Went into the dealership to talk about the air bag issue, turns out they fixed the check engine light. Next on the paper it says they found there was no airbag and tried to perform recall, and that they could not perform the recall”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The back metal frame that connects to the driver front seat is broken. The seat is not stable because when you drive it it goes to the back by itself. It is very dangerous to drive it like that. I just bought this car last january.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2022
“No Nissan dealership wants to honor the safety recall on my vehicle due to it being a rebuilt title. I have filed a complaint before in 2020 with NHTSA & the issue has still not been resolved. Unfortunately, this is the only vehicle I own & drive day to day & my life as well as the life of my special needs grandchild is in danger with this recall that no one wants to honor & repair.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2022
“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. During the crash the front end of the vehicle had sustained severe damage but the air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000. *dt the consumer provided a photo. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated after the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15v287000 (air bags). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to nissan of queens (93-25 rockaway blvd, ozone park, ny 11417, 718-835-8300), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,419.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“Ever since I bought my car the airbag has been on. Now I come to find out that they weren't manufactured properly. Here I am thinking jjj m save with my airbag that nothing would really bad happened because im depending on it cone to find out in better of not having one.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“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. The driver sustained upper torso injuries, head trauma, and pelvic fractures and died due to the injuries. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v287000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a police impound lot. The failure mileage was unknown. **bf..*bf..*bf *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“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. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
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 ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
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.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
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. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.
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. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sentra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA has 197 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Nissan Sentra. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Sentra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.