2008 Nissan Sentra: common problems and reliability
An average Sentra year.
167 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Sentra?The 2008 Nissan Sentra has 167 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sentra years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the Sentra?
Across the 31 Sentra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2023) to 638 (2013). With 167 complaints, the 2008 Sentra sits about the same as 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 2008 Sentra
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 09V431000NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 08V311000NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MACHINING IRREGULARITY BY THE SUPPLIER, THE INTERNAL SEAL GROOVE IN THE BODY OF SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP IN THE GROOVE CONTACT AREA OF THE SEAL. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Campaign 10V401000NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
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 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sentra against its rivals
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