Reliable Auto DB

2019 Nissan Sentra reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Nissan Sentra holds 222 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 28 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Sentra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 21. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Switch and Camera.

2012 Nissan Sentra
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

222

Per year

28

Recalls

2

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (64 of 222), then Powertrain (54) and Service brakes (37). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Sentra has 185 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2020 has 205 complaints, 21 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Nissan Sentra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall exterior lighting, brake lights, switch 2021-03-03 · NHTSA campaign 21V135000
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.
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.
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2019-09-12 · NHTSA campaign 19V654000
Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Complaints by component (222 total)

Electrical system
64
Powertrain
54
Service brakes
37
Forward collision avoidance
35
Exterior lighting
28
Engine
20
Air bags
14
Speed control
12
Electronic stability control (ESC)
5
Fuel and propulsion system
5
Structure
5
Seat belts
4
Suspension
4
Steering
3
Equipment
2
Lane departure
2
Seats
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Back-over prevention
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Other or not sure
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

16

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

12

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12018222019242020382021342022442023302024172025122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2019 Nissan Sentra. In June 2025, when my vehicle had approximately 56,000 miles, the overhead console located in the ceiling of my vehicle suddenly detached and…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-17
  • "Transmission slipping"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-24
  • "Collision warning sound happens randomly for no reason"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-07-11
  • "Transmission Failure of drive train Acknowledged by Dealer Inspection by Dealer No warning signs prior to failure"
    Suspension, Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-05-20
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact's daughter pressed the engine Auto Start/Stop button…"
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2026-05-18

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2019 Nissan Sentra NISMO 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2019 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Sentra 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 29 37 32 MPG $2050
Sentra 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) Front-wheel drive 27 33 29 MPG $2750
Sentra 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 35 30 MPG $2150
Sentra Nismo 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2950
Sentra Nismo 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 25 31 27 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

7th generation (B17), 2012–2019
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 (1.8L and 2.0L) , 4.875 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16 to 215/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V253000. 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. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Nissan Sentra Next year 2020 Nissan Sentra See every Nissan Sentra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Nissan Sentra holds 222 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 28 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Sentra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 21. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Switch and Camera.

What are common problems with a 2019 Nissan Sentra?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (64 of 222), then Powertrain (54) and Service brakes (37). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Sentra has 185 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2020 has 205 complaints, 21 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Nissan Sentra been recalled?

The 2019 Nissan Sentra has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Nissan Sentra?

Owners have filed 222 complaints about the 2019 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Nissan Sentra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Nissan Sentra is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Sentra take?

0W-20 (1.8L and 2.0L)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-253 cover on the Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA campaign 17V253000.

What generation is the 2013 Nissan Sentra?

7th generation (B17) (2012-2019).