The Lemon Index2008 Nissan Sentra.
The 2008 Nissan Sentra is better than average by owner complaints: 64 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 65, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 28 mpg combined. The best Nissan Sentra year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 167 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Sentra year. 2008 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 22K to 100K miles on the car (124 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 67K–129K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 55K–114K miles
Recalls 3
- equipment 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
- brakes 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS.
- brakes 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER.
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 88 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended
- Srs precautions during service;improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedScope of recalls 08v311 and 09v4312016–2017
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 $2300–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Gas pedal too close to brake, toe hits accelerator when applying brake. Happened several times before I realized why car was lurching when I hit the brake.
2008 Nissan Sentra owner · NHTSA complaint 10264013
More owner reports
2008 Nissan Sentra. Consumer states issues with Nissan dealer regarding repairs
NHTSA complaint 10329553
2008 Nissan Sentra, so far had to repair and replace brake master cylinder 3 times already since purchased the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10299791
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 65; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Sentra year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan Sentra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (16%), tires (16%) and suspension (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have?
3 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Sentra get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,500 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,000 miles, from 124 complaints.
Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Nissan Sentra cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Sentra year is better than the 2008?
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