Model year record

2013 Nissan Sentra recalls & problems

The 2013 Nissan Sentra has 6 safety recalls and 638 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (311 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints638filed by owners

Crashes · fires24 · 4reported in complaints

NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars

2013 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsApr 26, 2016

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 16V242000645,898 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.
Risk: If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2016. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Air bagsApr 26, 2016

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 16V2440003,296,947 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Air bagsOct 20, 2015

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 15V681000919 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification; Air bags › Frontal

Electrical systemMar 25, 2014

Software

Recall 14V138000989,701 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Air bags › Frontal

Air bagsMar 1, 2013

Air bags

Recall 13V06900082,038 vehicles

Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel system, gasolineMar 1, 2013

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 13V068000392 vehicles

Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Sentra vehicles manufactured from September 11, 2012, through October 4, 2012. Some fuel tank assemblies were not properly sealed during the manufacturing process. As a result, a small amount of gasoline may leak from the tank when it is full.
Risk: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service 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

2013 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	12.1%

2013 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2013 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole 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

33mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Sentra

33mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Sentra FE

33mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 39 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Sentra

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 35 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/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*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Internal › Cvt	311	1	0	2	75,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	97	11	0	12	15,525 mi
Service brakes	95	9	0	5	20,000 mi
Engine	87	2	3	2	45,000 mi
Unknown or other	64	2	2	4	60,125 mi
Vehicle speed control	51	2	0	1	68,500 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Instrument cluster/panel	44	2	1	1	25,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	33	0	0	0	57,749 mi
Steering	16	0	0	0	58,250 mi
Seat beltsFront › Warning light/devices	13	1	0	1	24,270 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	13	1	0	2	31,000 mi
Wheels	7	0	0	0	73,000 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS), and the contact was provided a letter stating that the vehicle was eligible for additional repairs for 15 years. The manufacturer was contacted, a case was filed, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to honor the letter and provided an estimate for the diagnostic test, and the…
May 26, 2026 · 16,050 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Cvt
Transmission slipping
May 20, 2026
Unknown or other
Mileage (~124k) * RPM behavior * Loss of power uphill * Can cause a crash on highway with the cvt promblems nissian sentras sv has been cause of loss of power out of no where needs to be addressed as a recall maintenance has been don great on vechile it has history and need to be addressed. It goes from 70 to 55 issues of cvt
Mar 18, 2026
Engine
Erractic rpms. Shakes/hesitant on take off from stop. Accelerator can be pushed all the way and it goes 5mph. Shifting takes a good minute with shakiness. Can not drive in rush hour traffic almost got accident many times.
Aug 1, 2024
Air bags
I am reporting a failed remedy for Recall R1608 (Occupant Classification System). My 2013 Nissan Sentra was serviced at Nissan of Van Nuys for this recall. Despite the dealership marking the recall as completed, the safety defect persists. Specifically, the passenger seatbelt warning light remains illuminated when the passenger seat is empty, indicating the OCS sensor is incorrectly classifying seat occupancy. This malfunction directly impacts the vehicle's ability to correctly deploy or withhold airbags in a collision. The dealership refused to re-evaluate the failed repair without legal representation. Furthermore, the Multi-Point Inspection provided during this safety recall visit was…
Dec 23, 2025
Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, fuel started spewing out of the fuel filler neck. The contact waited until the fuel level was almost empty and slowly pumped gasoline into the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to three separate mechanics and was informed that the issue was related to the oxygen sensor; however, two mechanics also stated that the issue could be related to a defect with the EVAP system. The contact then stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle began to lose power while depressing the accelerator pedal, as the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle…
Dec 4, 2025 · 173,000 miles
Unknown or other
The problem with my 2013 Nissan Sentra relates to the transmission which was serviced April 22, 2024 at Passport Nissan in Suitland, M D. Two months later, June 12, 2024 my car was serviced again for transmission problelms. The CVT transmission unit was replaced because of internal malfunction on the transmission assembly. My car is currently unsafe 1 year and six months later with transmission problems. The recent diagnosis requires removing the existing transmission assembly and installing a new one to ensure proper functioning of the drivetrain. The cost is $7,509.41. My contention is that the transmission is still faulty and unsafe after multiple paid service attempts. Nissan service…
Jun 12, 2024
Power train
It's slipping in the transmission
Dec 13, 2024

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

Occupant Classification System FailureClosedLed to recall 15V681000
In May 2016, Nissan North America issued a safety recall (16V-244) to address the problem of improper classification of adult front seat passengers in approximately 3.3 million vehicles, including those in the scope of this investigation when it was opened (almost one million vehicles) and additional vehicles, as shown below.Nissan models: certain model year 2013-2016 Altima, 2013-2016 LEAF, 2016-2017 Maxima, 2015-016 Murano and Murano Hybrid, 2013-2016 Pathfinder, 2014-2015 Pathfinder Hybrid, 2014-2017 Rogue, 2013-2016 Sentra, 2013-2016 NV200, and 2014-2016 Taxi.Infiniti models: certain model year 2013 JX35, 2014-2017 Q50, 2014-2016 Q50 Hybrid, and 2014-2016 QX60 and QX60 Hybrid.Chevrolet model: certain model year 2015-2016 City Express.Additional information on the above-referenced recalls is available online at NHTSA.gov.Also, the numbers shown in the above failure report summary are…
EA15004 · opened Aug 31, 2015 · closed May 2, 2017
Occupant Classification System FailureClosed
In April 2014, Nissan North America launched Safety Recall 14V-138 to address problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) algorithm in the following vehicles: model year (MY) 2013-2014 Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Sentra and LEAF; MY 2013 Infiniti JX35; MY 2014 Infiniti QX60 and Q50; and MY 2013 Nissan NV 200/Taxi vehicles.According to Nissan, the OCS may misclassify adult front passenger occupants and turn off the passenger's frontal air bag for an adult occupant of sufficient weight.In March 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query after the agency received approximately 124 complaints alleging problems with the OCS after the recall repairs and/or other OCS related repairs were made by Nissan/Infiniti dealers.The majority of the complaints alleged the passenger air bag status light stays on (i.e., indicating passenger air bag is turned off) for…
RQ15001 · opened Mar 18, 2015 · closed Sep 1, 2015
Excessive Brake Pedal TravelClosed
On May 20, 2014, ODI opened PE14-014 based on eight complaints alleging incidents of excessive brake pedal travel in model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Nissan Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Note passenger cars (Figure 1) and information in Early Warning Reporting field reports indicating issues with master cylinder internal seals.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Nissan identified a condition with the master cylinder in early production subject vehicles that could result in a slow internal leak past one of the recuperating seals to the brake reservoir when the brake pedal is depressed very slowly or lightly (Figure 2).The subject vehicles are equipped with fixed seal master cylinders supplied by TRW.To address concerns with water hammer noise with the standard seal design, the master cylinders in the early production subject vehicles used AWH (anti-water hammer)…
PE14014 · opened May 20, 2014 · closed May 13, 2015