2004 Nissan Sentra: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Sentra years.
197 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Sentra?The 2004 Nissan Sentra has 197 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and air bags.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Nissan Sentra vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sentra years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Sentra?
Across the 31 Sentra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2023) to 638 (2013). With 197 complaints, the 2004 Sentra sits above the model's median of 167.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Sentra
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V008000Nissan 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V747000Nissan 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.
air bags
Campaign 15V287000Nissan 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 06V242000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Show 1 more recall
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 22E066000Nissan 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by transmission history.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sentra. See the full Sentra owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sentra listings typically run $11,385–$18,397.
Other Sentra model years
Compare every Sentra year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sentra against its rivals
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