The Lemon Index2005 Nissan Sentra.
The 2005 Nissan Sentra is better than average by owner complaints: 41 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 6 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 170 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Sentra year. 2005 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 49K to 109K miles on the car (125 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 46K–86K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 49K–105K miles
Recalls 6
- 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 6 recalls
- airbags 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- engine 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
- fuel system, gasoline 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR HOSE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FORMED CORRECTLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
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 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Alternator drive belt noise
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- Trailer light wiring
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
I had a head gasket problem and wire problem but I only had the car for 19 month in been in the shop more than I have had the car.
2005 Nissan Sentra owner · NHTSA complaint 10234111
More owner reports
Concern: engine lost almost all of its power. The head was cracked, and the #4 cylinder was missing one of the 2 compression rings. Car was in shop for over 40 days.
NHTSA complaint 10110307
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Sentra year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Sentra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (49%), brakes (17%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Sentra have?
6 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 2005 Nissan Sentra get?
22 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,800 and 109,500 miles. The middle report was at 76,200 miles, from 125 complaints.
Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Sentra cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Sentra have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Sentra year is better than the 2005?
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