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Before you buy

2019 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: 9 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.

    Electrical System owner reports: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

    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
  • Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.

    Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 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 service campaign: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE This bulletin has been amended.

    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 inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: CVT Warranty Extension REVISION 1 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin.

    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 2019.

Warning signs: 9 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

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

Electrical System owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2019.

Warning signs: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

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

Power Train owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2019.

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

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera recall

Official record covers model years 2018 through 2019.

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 service campaign

Official record for model year 2019.

Warning signs: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE This bulletin has been amended.

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

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2018 through 2019.

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

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2018 through 2019.

Warning signs: CVT Warranty Extension REVISION 1 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin.

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.

“LAST MONTH I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF MY SENSORS WERE WORKING PROPERLY, MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT EMPLOY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I USED MY STANDARD BRAKE THE CAR WENT DOWN BEING REAR-ENDED SOMEBODY BUT I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP WITH ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES TO BULLYING ALLOWED MY CAR TO NOSEDIVE AND SLIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT RELEASED AND STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF SENSORS WERE NO LONGER TELLING THE CAR TO BREAK I HAD FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE AND INSURANCE AND NOT COVERING MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR LOT DID NOT ADVISE ME OF HIS PROBLEM OR THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MY CREDIT FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND BECAUSE I'M NEGLECTED TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR I HAVE TO SET FOR NOW, AND I ALSO NOTICED THAT ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE IN THE CAR AND THAT WAS THE ONLY SAFETY FEATURE THAT WAS RELEASED WITH MY CREDIT BEING BAD I WAS FORCED TO A HIGH APR RATE AND NEARLY $40,000 FOR A NISSAN SENTRA THAT WASN'T WORTH $0.25”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2021Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Collision warning sound happens randomly for no reason”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“DRIVING ON FREEWAY LESS THAN 35 MPH, CAR MADE LOUD NOISE FOR 1-2 MINUTES AT SAME TIME I FELT UNDER FLOOR BOARD SOMETHING PULLING. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I REAR ENDED A CAR. THE CAR GEAR SHIFT POPPED INTO REVERSE; I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES & THEY FINALLY WORKED. I NOTICED A BIG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING 'MALFUNCTION, CHECK OWNERS MANUAL' THERE WAS A GRAY SYMBOL NEAR THESE WORDS. INSIDE THE SPEEDOMETER CIRCLE THAT SAME SYMBOL APPEARED IN BRIGHT YELLOW. AT SOME POINT WITHIN AN HOUR 2 MORE YELLOW SYMBOLS APPEARED ON THE FAR LEFT OF THE DASH, A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXPLANATION POINT, AND A CAR WITH 2 CURVED LINES BEHIND THE BACK TIRES. WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, THE STAFF IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO BLAME ME FOR THE INCIDENT'ASKING WHY DIDN'T I BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE? AND THAT I HAVE TO GET A RENTAL CAR AND MY CAR REPAIR THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. HE PUSHED THE IDEA OF GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. I STATED I JUST BARELY GOT THE CAR 3-4 WEEKS AGO BRAND NEW. I LEFT THE CAR TO BE CHECKED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE MANAGER DENIED ANY MALFUNCTION SAYING THERE WASN'T ANY CURRENT CODES JUST PAST CODES; I ASKED WHAT THAT MEANT HE SAID A BRAKE SENSOR AND SOME OTHER DATA I DIDN'T COMPREHEND. HE SAID GET MY INSURANCE TO FIX THE CAR. I SAID NO SIR, I WANT MORE INFORMATION ON WHY THE CAR MALFUNCTION FIRST. ONCE I EXPLAIN TO HIM AGAIN WHAT HAPPENED HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE HIS FORMAN CHECK OUT THIS CAR THE NEXT MORNING; HOWEVER LESS THAN AN HOUR THE SERVICE MANAGER ME BACK TO SAY HE TALKED TO A FIELD TECH ENGINEER AND WAS ADVISED THAT I HAD A RIGHT TO CALL NISSAN CORP TO MAKE A REPORT. I WENT BY SRVC DPT TO GET SOMETHING, THEY TRIED TO GET TO TAKE/REPAIR MY CAR. I DIDN'T. ONCE I SPOKE TO NISSAN CORP THEY SAID IT TAKE 6-8 WEEKS FOR INVESTIGATION ETC TO BE COMPLETED AND FOR ME NOT TO GET CAR REPAIRED.”
NHTSAcomplaintNov 2019Open 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 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." The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallDec 2019Open 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.

“VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.”
NHTSAtsbApr 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. The warranty is being extended from its original duration of 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles (whichever occurs first). 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 by excluding themselves from the class action settlement, 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 using the VCAT tool. Please reference WBI/21-002. Control valves and CVT belt and pulley kits do not require pre-authorization for repairs made under warranty if they are within the dealer’s DCAL limit. 3. CVT warranty coverage can be confirmed using the warranty extensions/customer service initiatives page in Service Comm or DBS National Service History.”
NHTSAtsbMay 2023Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“CVT Warranty Extension REVISION 1 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from May 23, 2023 has been revised to include the following: • The voucher program has been updated and the program rules and dealer instructions have been added to the FAQ section of this dealer announcement.”
NHTSAtsbNov 2023Open source record

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

Check this year at your mileage