NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Nissan Sentra Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Nissan Sentra has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 638 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Nissan Sentra, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Nissan Sentra owner complaints

Owners have filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Sentra, describing incidents dated August 24, 2012 to May 26, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 311 complaints
Service Brakes 97 complaints
Air Bags 96 complaints
Engine 91 complaints
Unknown or Other 64 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 51 complaints

Of the 638 complaints on file, 24 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 638 complaints, owners report 20 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11746802 · Filed June 26, 2026
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…
ODI #11742762 · Filed June 8, 2026
Transmission slipping
ODI #11736871 · Filed May 10, 2026
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…

Read all 638 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Nissan Sentra mileage at failure

476 of the 638 complaints on file for the 2013 Nissan Sentra give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–95,000 miles	Based on 233 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 20,000 miles	Middle half 6,000–50,000 miles	Based on 86 complaints
Air Bags	Median 19,000 miles	Middle half 4,000–60,000 miles	Based on 69 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Nissan Sentra in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA15-004: Occupant Classification System Failure
Closed May 2, 2017
Recall Query RQ15-001: Occupant Classification System Failure
Closed September 1, 2015
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-014: Excessive Brake Pedal Travel
Closed May 13, 2015

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Deformed Seat Belt Bracket Affecting OCS Operation

NHTSA #16V242000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 645,898 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 13, 2016 · Vehicles built June 4, 2012 – April 9, 2016 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error

NHTSA #16V244000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 3,296,947 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 10, 2016 · Vehicles built June 4, 2012 – April 9, 2016 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat

NHTSA #15V681000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 919 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.44% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 30, 2015 · Vehicles built September 1, 2012 – July 8, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat

NHTSA #14V138000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported March 25, 2014 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 989,701 vehicles

Repair completion: 86.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 14, 2014 · Vehicles built August 27, 2012 – February 18, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Occupant Detection System May Disable Pass Air Bag

NHTSA #13V069000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported March 1, 2013 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 82,038 vehicles

Nissan campaign PC216 · Owners notified May 6, 2013 · Vehicles built October 1, 2012 – January 30, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Leak when Full

NHTSA #13V068000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 1, 2013 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 392 vehicles

Owners notified April 1, 2013 · Vehicles built September 11, 2012 – October 4, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2013 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

638 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Nissan Sentra.

Air Bags

ODI #11746802

Incident: May 26, 2026 · Filed: June 26, 2026

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 contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer then closed the case. The failure mileage was approximately 16,050.

Power Train

ODI #11742762

Incident: May 20, 2026 · Filed: June 8, 2026

Transmission slipping

Unknown or Other

ODI #11736871

Incident: March 18, 2026 · Filed: May 10, 2026

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

Engine; Lane Departure

ODI #11730515

Incident: August 1, 2024 · Filed: April 11, 2026

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.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11708671

Incident: December 23, 2025 · Filed: January 4, 2026

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 falsified; a technician hand-wrote a failing brake measurement of '3mm,' yet the Service Advisor marked the system as 'Green/Safe' on the final document. This documentation fraud makes their certification of the recall repair unreliable. They have since refused to re-inspect the safety defect.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11706628

Incident: December 4, 2025 · Filed: December 22, 2025

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 failed to accelerate above 40 MPH and pulled over. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle several times but was unsuccessful. The contact called the mechanic, who advised the contact to restart the vehicle in neutral(N). Once the vehicle was in neutral(N), the contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal operation. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was a Nissan recall for the rear O2 sensor under NISSAN ID: P1A25. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service; however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle due to the check engine warning light and other issues that the dealer claimed would affect the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11706519

Incident: June 12, 2024 · Filed: December 22, 2025

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 management informs that service is outside of the warranty by one month because of their recent policy change. Please assist with transmission repairs at no cost to me since it has not been serviced properly and is unsafe to me and my family. I would appreciate knowing what if anything can be done to help with transmission repair at no additional cost to me. Thank you.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11703554

Incident: December 13, 2024 · Filed: December 7, 2025

It's slipping in the transmission

Unknown or Other

ODI #11700298

Incident: November 1, 2025 · Filed: November 19, 2025

While driving, the start/stop button was pressed and the vehicle turned off while in motion. WHILE IN D, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC, IN MOTION, DUE TO THE STOP/START BUTTON BEING PRESSED. It should not be able to shut off while in drive. The safety feature should not allow that.

Power Train

ODI #11693618

Incident: April 15, 2024 · Filed: October 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that similar model year vehicles were recalled for the transmission failure; however, the VIN was not included in a powertrain recall. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked in the backyard for over a year and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was not provided.

Other Nissan Sentra model years

Check your 2013 Nissan Sentra VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Sentra at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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