The Lemon Index2004 Nissan Sentra.
The 2004 Nissan Sentra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 40 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 22 to 27 mpg combined. The best Nissan Sentra year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 197 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Sentra year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 114K miles on the car (149 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 55K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 32K–127K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 39K–120K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2020
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.
- airbags 2020
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- engine 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Alternator noise after engine shut off.*mr
- Alternator drive belt noise
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Tsb switch on my car went crazy wouldn't allow me to drive car I would like someone to check out at no cost to me a mechanic got it going said he had to reset computer in the car.
2004 Nissan Sentra owner · NHTSA complaint 10209914
More owner reports
While driving 35 mph engine stalled. As a result, vehicle lost power.
NHTSA complaint 10067294
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 44; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Sentra year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan Sentra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (35%), electrical (25%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Sentra get?
22 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,500 and 114,200 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 149 complaints.
Does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Nissan Sentra cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Nissan Sentra have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Sentra year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2017 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works