2004 Nissan Sentra Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Sentra. Part of Generation 5 — 2000–2006.

20032005
Complaints
235
Crashes
27
Fires
0
Injuries
22
Fatalities
1
Recalls
3

Worst 2004 Nissan Sentra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#135 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:68,816 mi
Crash-related:1
#229 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:103,636 mi
Crash-related:10
#326 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:106,986 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Nissan Sentra.

Engine & Cooling
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
68,816
Airbags
29
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
103,636
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,986
Electrical Faults
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
88,223
Gasoline Fuel System
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,837
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,027
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
114,152
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
107,954
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
65,971
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Nissan Sentra

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,402,461 vehicles.

20V747000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Airbags
~3,930 affected

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.

20V008000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~307,962 affected

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.

15V287000Airbags
~1,090,569 affected

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.

Other Nissan Sentra Years

2004 Nissan Sentra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Nissan Sentra has 235 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 35 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (35 complaints, avg 68,816 mi); Airbags (29 complaints, avg 103,636 mi); Engine Problems (26 complaints, avg 106,986 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Nissan Sentra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,956 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Nissan Sentra include 27 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 22 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,402,461 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Nissan Sentra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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