This page covers 4 recalls, 345 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Nissan Sentra.
30–32 mpg combined
7.4–7.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2015 Nissan Sentra centers on the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Owners frequently report shuddering and hesitation when pressing the accelerator, loss of power while driving at highway speeds, and in some cases complete transmission failure requiring replacement. Stalling in traffic is another recurring theme, with several owners describing the engine cutting out unexpectedly while the vehicle was in motion, sometimes accompanied by loss of power steering response. The airbag system is the second most-reported area, though at a notably lower volume than the powertrain complaints. Vehicle speed control complaints round out the top three reported systems. The CVT shudder and stall pattern is by far the most consistent thread running through the complaint set, with owners describing situations where pressing the accelerator produces little or no response from the drivetrain.
345
Total Complaints
22
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Nissan Sentra has 4 recalls, with three involving the front passenger airbag system, where the airbag may fail to deploy correctly in a crash or deploy with too much force when a child seat is present, raising the risk of injury.
Two of those airbag recalls involve the passenger seat sensor, which can misread whether a child restraint is in the front seat, causing the airbag to deploy when it should not. A separate airbag inflator defect can prevent the passenger frontal airbag from deploying at all in a crash. There is also a door latch recall affecting vehicles built during a narrow window in June 2015, where the driver-side front and rear doors may not fully latch and can swing open while the vehicle is moving.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing error in the passenger front air bag inflator may prevent it from deploying properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt bracket can bend when used to hold a child car seat. This prevents the air bag system from recognizing the child seat is installed, so the front passenger air bag may not turn off as it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will strengthen the seat belt bracket and update the air bag and occupant detection system software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver side front and rear doors may not fully latch, potentially allowing them to open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the left front and rear door latches as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
