Verdict
2017 Nissan Sentra: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2017 Nissan Sentra — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 228 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 84% of 2017 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (32%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2017 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
228
Reports to NHTSA, 2017
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 84% of 2017 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2017 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (32% of 228 reports), followed by electrical system (12%).
+ 10 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 228 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11233720, ODI 11741244, ODI 11741125, ODI 11737793, ODI 11724817.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior LightingMar 2021 · 21V135000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Air Bags · 17V253000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Electrical System · 18V551000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2017 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 27 | 33 | 29 |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 32 | 28 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2017 Nissan Sentra: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Owners filed 228 NHTSA complaints about the 2017 Nissan Sentra — more complaints than 84% of comparable 2017 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (32% of complaints) and electrical system (12%).
How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Sentra have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2017 Nissan Sentra, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Nissan Sentra get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Nissan Sentra between 28 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.