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2013 Nissan Sentra: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Sentra years.
One of the Nissan Sentra years to avoid. All Sentra years
638 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 Sentra?The 2013 Nissan Sentra has 638 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2013 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Nissan Sentra vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sentra years only. How we score it
Is 2013 a good year for the Sentra?
Across the 31 Sentra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2023) to 638 (2013). With 638 complaints, the 2013 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 2013 Sentra
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 16V242000Nissan 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 15V681000Nissan 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.
electrical system:software
Campaign 14V138000Nissan 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 16V244000Nissan 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.
Show 2 more recalls
air bags
Campaign 13V069000Nissan 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 13V068000Nissan 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.
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 2013 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sentra against its rivals
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