Model year record

2006 Nissan Sentra recalls & problems

The 2006 Nissan Sentra has 6 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (33 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints116filed by owners

Crashes · fires22 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bagsAug 9, 2022

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 22E066000375 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Air bagsDec 1, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V7470003,930 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags

Air bagsJan 9, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V008000307,962 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Air bagsMay 15, 2015

Air bags

Recall 15V2870001,090,569 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Engine and engine coolingNov 14, 2007

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V527000653,910 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Risk: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Engine and engine coolingJun 21, 2006

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 06V22300085,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.
Risk: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM OR ENGINE COMPUTER). YOUR VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS BEEN CONSUMING ENGINE OIL AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE. IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES, ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL BE NEEDED. ON JUNE 9, 2006, NISSAN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE OIL AT A PROPER LEVEL. FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM OF THE STATUS OF THE RECALL WAS SENT DURING AUGUST 2006. FOLLOWUP LETTER TO OWNERS WAS SENT ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2006 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sentra

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Sentra

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Sentra

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Sentra

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	33	20	0	20	100,000 mi
Engine	19	1	0	0	105,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Crank/camshaft position sensor; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	14	0	0	0	66,500 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk	11	0	1	0	83,250 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	2	0	1	93,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	9	0	0	0	49,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	8	1	0	0	140,500 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	0	0	112,000 mi
Tires	5	0	0	0	56,303 mi
StructureBody	4	1	0	0	31,850 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Power window devices and controls	4	0	0	0	146 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
Bought a 2006 Nissan Sentra from an individual as a first car for my grandson. Drivers Seatbelt does not retract. Took to body shop and they said it was a safety issue and we would need to take it to the dealer. The Nissan Dealer in Chattanooga said that they could not repair it as the part was discontinued. Did not give us an alternative other than to to google it and fix it ourselves (but it's a safety problem that even a body shop won't touch). So now my Grandson has his first car but it's worthless?
Jun 20, 2025
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated then stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the mechanic retrieved DTC: P0335 (Crankshaft) and P0725 (TCM, ECM). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there would be a diagnostic test fee assessed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage…
Apr 20, 2023 · 193,377 miles
Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light would remain illuminated and the b1066 front passenger air bag module due to electrical circuit shortage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E066000 (Air Bags). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Aug 20, 2022 · 125,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Crank/camshaft position sensor
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and exiting the highway, the vehicle decelerated and then lost motive power. The vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality; additionally, the instrument panel went blank. The contact pulled safely off the road and the vehicle would not restart. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and drove back to his residence. The contact who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle with a crankshaft position sensor code (P0335). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched the failure online and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and…
Mar 14, 2022 · 76,000 miles
Engine
Car has pick up issues. It has been issues when Stop at signal light and I afraid behind cars may hit me. When I did research on internet found many people complained for the same issue. I did replace EVAP canister still has same pick up issue. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Mar 15, 2021
Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V747000 (Air Bags) and had the vehicle taken to the dealer to be repaired. Additionally, the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled. The contact stated that after the vehicle was returned, the transmission fluid was checked and looked the same as before the transmission flush. Additionally, the airbag was not repaired properly. The contact was concerned that no repairs had been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Oct 1, 2021 · 106,000 miles
Service brakes
DRIVE BY WIRE .WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON IT DRAGS U THREW RED LIGHTS. UNLESS U PUT IN NEUTRAL. IDLES TOO HIGH NOT DISENGAGING THE TQ.CONVERTER .
Mar 10, 2021 · 242,000 miles
Steering
THE MANUAL LOCK DOWN LEAVER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE ,THIS ALLOWS THE STEERING WHEEL TO COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE CAR I HAVE ALMOST RAN INTO OTHER CARS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS.
Jun 8, 2020 · 42,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpenLed to recall 14V668
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015
Air Bag Inflator RuptureClosedLed to recall 13V172000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015