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Before you buy

2017 Nissan Sentra inspection checklist

Use this beside the car or give it to a mechanic. These checks come from problems in the records we reviewed. They do not replace a full used-car inspection.

Inspect this Sentra

Mark each check as you go. Your notes stay on this device.

Saved on this device. The shared link never includes a VIN.

Use these notes with a full inspection. A serious warning sign can be enough to walk away.

Required checks

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Airbags owner reports: 12 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Power Train owner reports: 3 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention power train.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Steering owner reports: 3 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention steering.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.

    Airbags recall: Nissan North America, Inc.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.

    Electrical System:Ignition recall: Nissan North America, Inc.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.

    Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch recall: Nissan North America, Inc.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: Dear Nissan Sentra Owner: Thank you for being a Nissan owner.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class actions, Nissan will extend the warranty coverage on

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away

Ask the seller

  • Has any named issue here ever been diagnosed or repaired on this car?
  • Can I see the maintenance and any recall-remedy records?
  • Will you allow an independent pre-purchase inspection?

Records to request

  • Service and oil-change history
  • Completed recall / campaign paperwork
  • Any dealer diagnostic reports

Why these checks are here

Airbags owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2017.

Warning signs: 12 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Power Train owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2017.

Warning signs: 3 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention power train.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Steering owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2017.

Warning signs: 3 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention steering.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Airbags recall

Official record for model year 2017.

Warning signs: Nissan North America, Inc.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Electrical System:Ignition recall

Official record for model year 2017.

Warning signs: Nissan North America, Inc.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch recall

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2019.

Warning signs: Nissan North America, Inc.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record for model year 2017.

Warning signs: Dear Nissan Sentra Owner: Thank you for being a Nissan owner.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record for model year 2017.

Warning signs: CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class actions, Nissan will extend the warranty coverage on

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“On 12-30-2021 I was at a red light. A car had hit me from behind, which ended up as lost. I ended up with facial damage that took me half of 2020l2 to heal. Three stitches to my face. When I went to retrieve my items from the car it was unrecognizable. The trunk was in the backseat. Tire damage and no airbags deployed . I was wearing a seat belt that lead to buries on my upper arms and back area.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2023Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he could tell the vehicle gears were slipping, on a different occasion the vehicle downshifted on its own suddenly almost causing a crash. The contact stated there were times where the vehicle would downshift suddenly and would slow all the way down causing the vehicle to come to a stop, having to shift into neutral then back into drive, and the contact stated he could hear very loud grinding noise from the gears. The vehicle was towed to a residence, and the dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,600.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and coasting to the right around a curve, after completing the maneuver, the accelerator was depressed, the cruise control was set at 48 MPH, and the steering wheel was turned to the left but independently turned all the way to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a failure with the steering position sensor. The contact let go of the steering when and the vehicle left the road and ran into a pile of leaves. The vehicle struck an unknown object on the ground, the vehicle then went airborne, and the roof of the vehicle struck a tree. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around and ended up in the South bound lane with the passenger’s side quarter panel still on the roadway. The vehicle flipped over approximately six times and ended up on the road where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact recalled seven impacts before the vehicle came to a rest. The seat belt failed to function as intended; the contact struck the driver’s side air bag several times that by the time the vehicle came to a stop, the air bag had deflated. The contact stated that the side curtain air bags deployed, preventing his head from striking the window and exiting the vehicle. All the other air bags were also deployed. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact sustained injuries. The contact had a broken nose, fractured ribs, and a traumatic brain injury. The contact also lost the ability to speak but has since regained partial ability to speak. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact stated that he was neglectfully released from the first hospital he was transferred to but then checked himself back into the ER of another hospital, where most of the injuries were discovered. There were no other passengers in the vehicle. A Police report was filed but was not available. The vehicle was towed to a Copart location in Shreveport, Louisiana. The insurance company was notified of the failures, inspected the vehicle and declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that several days before the accident, the steering wheel and vehicle was vibrating abnormally, and the tires were rotated and that was why the vehicle was being test driven when the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vibration stopped for several days prior to the crash but returned excessively on the day of the crash. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“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. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“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. The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallMar 2021Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Dear Nissan Sentra Owner: Thank you for being a Nissan owner. We strive to provide you with an excellent ownership experience that includes confidence in your vehicle’s performance, features and overall reliability. To that end, Nissan is extending the limited warranty covering your continuously variable transmission (CVT) to 7 years/84,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty extension is being provided as an owner satisfaction effort to address concerns, including those expressed by plaintiffs in class action litigation. This CVT warranty extension covers your CVT assembly (including internal CVT components, gaskets, and seals, CVT control valve body, and torque converter), cooler kit (if applicable), and any necessary software updates. Coverage of other vehicle components remains unchanged, and all other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty continue to apply. What You Should Do This extended warranty coverage is effective immediately. You do not need to take any further action. The Sentra with the Vehicle Identification Number listed at the top of this page is covered by this extended CVT warranty. If you seek coverage for a repair under this extended warranty, you will need to bring your vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer. The factorytrained technical staff at the Nissan dealer will have the diagnostic tools and knowledge to provide you with the appropriate service and submit your warranty claim As you take care of yourself and your family during the COVID-19 crisis, we know that your vehicle may play a key role. We are here to help if you need us. Service Department hours of operation may be modified as local and state restrictions change, so we encourage you to book your appointment online or call your local Dealership to confirm service availability. ”
NHTSAtsbMay 2020Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class actions, Nissan will extend the warranty coverage on the CVT. The warranty extension includes the CVT assembly and internal CVT components, gaskets, and seals, CVT control valve body, torque converter, cooler kit (if applicable) and reprogramming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), on the vehicles listed in this announcement from its original duration of 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles (whichever occurs first). The extension also includes rental while CVT repairs or replacements are completed. Coverage of other vehicle components remains unchanged, and all other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty continue to apply. ***** What Dealers Should Do ***** 1. If an owner contacts a dealer with a CVT concern in an owned or leased vehicle, verify warranty coverage for the specific VIN and then inform the customer of any diagnostic charges. NOTE: Some owners may have opted out of the warranty extension as part of the class action settlements, thus it is important to check the VIN for each vehicle to verify coverage. 2. Use the appropriate Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) and/or Electronic Service Manual (ESM) to diagnose the root cause of the customer concern and identify the correct repair to resolve the customer concerns. NOTE: Dealers will need to follow the warranty process and obtain pre-approval from the Powertrain Call Center (800-973-9992, option 2) for any vehicles requiring CVT replacements when the replacement cost exceeds a Dealer’s Claims Administration/Authorization Limits (DCAL). Control valves and CVT belt and pulley kits do not require pre-authorization for repairs made under warranty. ”
NHTSAtsbMay 2020Open source record

The checklist cannot see the car’s full history or condition.

Check this year at your mileage