Page 4 of 4 · complaints 151–197 of 197

2004 Nissan Sentra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 2, 200858,000 milesKY

DRIVING VEHICLE @ 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND JERKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN RAN OK. STOPPED AND PARKED THE CAR FOR FOUR HOURS AND THEN DROVE HOME AND IT DID IT AGAIN AT 55 MPH. 5-13-08 IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AT LOW SPEEDS AND ACTUALLY DIED. IT STARTED BACK UP AND THEN RAN FINE. 5-31-08 DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed May 23, 200835,900 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. HE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP AS IDENTIFIED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36300. UPDATED 6/25/08 *CN THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPAIRED DUE TO LOW FUEL PRESSURE. UPDATED 06/25/08.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 31, 200864,000 milesWI

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND AN ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS TO BE PERFORMED TO CORRECT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ISSUE. I DID SO BACK IN JANUARY OF 2008. MY ECM NEVER EMITTED ANY SORT OF ERROR CODE, BUT I WAS HAVING SPONTANEOUS STALLING APPROXIMATELY TWICE A WEEK. AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING, THE PROBLEM STOPPED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO, WHEN IT STALLED VERY HARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A MISFIRE OF THE SPARKPLUGS. IT BEGAN STALLING SPONTANEOUSLY AT A RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 1-2 TIMES PER DAY THEN. THREE WEEKS AGO, I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, AND TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE CHECKED. IT STATED THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, AND WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY VEHICLE'S CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 3, 200848,000 milesAR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON MARCH 19, 2007. I WAS DRIVING A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ON THIS DAY, I WAS PULLING OUT TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE STREET. I HAD LOOKED BOTH WAYS TWICE BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE STREET WAS VERY BUSY. THE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE CLOSEST TO ME MOTIONED FOR ME TO PULL OUT. I DID, BUT DID NOT SEE THE CAR COMING THAT HIT ME. I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND SUFFERED A CRACKED HIP AND PELVIC BONE AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. I SPENT 2 1/2 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND 6 WEEKS ON CRUTCHES. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT, MY INSURANCE COMPANY RAISED MY RATE $10 A MONTH BECAUSE THE SAFETY RATING ON THE CAR WAS A ZERO. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND ASKED FOR COMPENSATION FROM NISSAN FOR MY REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (MY SENTRA WAS TOTALED IN THE ACCIDENT), THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO DISMISS ME AND TO TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I FEEL THAT NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY INJURIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY MANUFACTURED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAILURE IN MANUFACTURING. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL ATTORNEYS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET A CASE AGAINST NISSAN, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EACH ONE THAT A CASE WOULD COST MORE THAN IT WOULD BE WORTH. IS THERE NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE FOR MY INJURIES?? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 28, 2008TX

2004 NISSAN SENTRA LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *KB AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE ROUGH UNTIL IT WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A WARPED HEAD. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLTS COULD CAUSE THE HEAD TO WARP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS HE EXPERIENCED WERE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED NISSAN AND PROVIDED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. NISSAN STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Air BagsCrash4 injured
Filed Jan 29, 2008NV

DRIVE A 2004 NISSIAN I CRASHED MY CAR ..I BROKE..THE AXEL ON MY CAR AND THE AXEL OF A FORD FOUCES 2003 THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND THE SEAT BELT NEVER HELD.THE LAWYER OD SOUTH DAKOTA SAID THEY WERE TO SMALL OF A STATE TO GO THREW AND.TO TRY OUT SIDE STATES. FOR AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS. I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT AND HOSPITAL BILL. PLUSS I TOOK PICTURES IF YOU WOULD LIKE THEM SENT VIA E-MAIL I CAN.. THANK YOU. *CN

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 2, 2008NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM; HOWEVER SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. SHE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL AND REPORT THE ISSUE, BECAUSE HER ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONTINUE TO COME AND HESITATE TO STARTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61, 967.--DS

Tires
Filed Dec 3, 2007SD

SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON THREE MONTH OLD TIRE. TRAVELING AT 65 ON INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING. QUASAR PULS RADIAL. *TR

Electrical System › Software
Filed Nov 26, 200751,001 milesNV

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. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 13, 200764,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 1.8 LITER ENGINE (NISSAN SENTRA) AND IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN 06V242000 FOR THE 2.5L ENGINE. THE 11/12/2007 IS THE THIRD SENSOR FAILURE AND ENGINE CUTOFF SINCE JUNE 2007. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SAME SENSOR EACH TIME, AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON FAIRLY EMPTY FREEWAYS AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 29, 200732,000 milesMO

NISSAN SENTRA 2004 HAS THE FOLLOWING "PROBLEMS" WHEN TRYING TO START CAR, HAVE TO PUMP GAS AND TURN THE KEY 2-3 TIMES IN WEATHER RANGING FROM 50F TO 100F. ALSO, THE RUBBER ON WINDOW SEAL IS TURNING/BENDING. I PUT # OF FAILURES AS 365 SINCE IT IS AN EVERY DAY OCCURRENCE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 28, 200755,450 milesGA

MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SER SPEC V SHOWED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON AUGUST 28, 2007. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC USED A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO DETERMINE THAT THE CAR HAD A MALFUNCTIONING CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON SOME 2003 AND 2004 SENTRAS AND ALTIMAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL WARRANTY WORK AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I WAS GIVEN AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE DOES NOT COVER THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IF NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND MY CAR IS HAVING THE PROBLEM, WHY DO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 6, 200765,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD ONLY DRIVE FORWARD, NOT IN REVERSE. A FEW DAYS FOLLOWING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. SHE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHE PLACED THE GEAR IN THE "L" POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TWO YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 7, 2007MA

DRIVING 65 ON HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 5, 2007MA

ENGINE STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN, NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE VEHICLE VIN NUMBER ON THE CAR IS 3N1AB51D64LXXXXXX NISSAN SENTRA 2004. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Dec 17, 2006WA

JUST PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA TWO WEEKS AGO. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I CAME HOME AND REMAINED ON. THE SALEMAN TOLD ME HE DIDN'T THINK MY CAR WOULD PASS AN EMISSION TEST. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE HE SOLD THE CAR KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I AM TAKING INTO THE NISSAN DEALER IN OLYMPIA BUT I TOLD HIM I AM NOT PAYING ANYTHING PERIOD. THE CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I FEEL HE DECEIVED ME. THE SALES PERSON IS JAY ROLFS FROM ASSOCIATE FLEETS IN SEATTLE, WA. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 4, 200660,000 milesFL

PLEASE REFER TO NISSAN CAMPAIGN I.D. # P5202. I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V. AT THE END OF AUGUST MY CAR DEVELOPED STALLING AND THEN OUTRIGHT CYLINDER (1) FAILURE. SPARK PLUG WAS REMOVED AND FOUND TO BE EXTREMELY PITTED AND GROUND STRAP WAS HAMMERED CLOSED. REPLACED PLUG, VACUUMED CYLINDER AND CAR RAN FINE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON THE WAY TO WORK AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND A SECOND CYLINDER WAS FOUND TO HAVE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC I USE ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE (REF. ABOVE). I THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHERE THEY VERIFIED THAT THE POWER VALVE WAS MISSING TWO OF EIGHT SCREWS AND THIS WAS THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE CYLINDER FAILURES. FILED CLAIM WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED BY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL INTO THE VIN RECALL RANGE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL ON MY ENGINE. AS SUCH, NONE OF THE RECALL TROUBLESHOOTING WAS PERFORMED ON MY ENGINE. I FEEL THAT MY EXPENSES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AND, IF REQUIRED, MY ENGINE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE I HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED FROM THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I'M SURE THAT THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE PISTONS, VALVES, CYLINDER WALLS, AND ENGINE HEAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILED SPARK PLUGS HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED DUE TO THE POUNDING THEY TOOK FROM THE STEEL POWER VALVE SCREWS. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH OTHER VIN 2.5 LITER ENGINES AND A

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 29, 200642,000 milesNY

CAR WAS LEFT AT HOME FOR 4 DAYS WHILE ON VACATION. UPON RETURN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT WOULD CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT START. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS AT FAULT. HE CHARGED ME THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $90.00, PRINTED OUT A PAGE SHOWING THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE MATTER AND ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO NISSAN. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK AND NISSAN WANTED ME TO LEAVE IT WITH THEM SO THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE MY DAUGHTER NEEDS THE VEHICLE FOR WORK. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENED ONCE, BUT READING WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID IT APPEARS TO BE AN UNCORRECTED PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD CHECK INTO THIS...BY THE WAY, IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH NISSAN. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 24, 2006FL

EXPERIENCED DELAY IN STARTING. ENGINE TOOK FOREVER TO TURNOVER. DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS REVEALED NOTHING WRONG, IN FACT THE CAR WOULD START NORMALLY WHENEVER THE DEALER TRIED. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND AFTER TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP--THEY REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM--I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT. THEY FINALLY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES. THEY PIN-POINTED THE PROBLEM--THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM CEASED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 17, 20068,800 milesNJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ASIDE OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBELM. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 15, 200617,500 milesPA

SITUATION RECURRING: LONG CRANK TIME BEFORE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND STARTS. THIS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR THIRTY MINUTES OR MORE AND IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED RIGHT BACK ON AS WELL AS WHEN VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT AND IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. PROBLEM! *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle AssemblyCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 24, 200631,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A STEER ENTERED THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, HOWEVER THE STEER WAS HIT AND IT ROLLED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED. UPON IMPACT WITH THE STEER, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED. THE INSURANCE AGENCY IS SCHEDULED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE LATER THIS WEEK. UPDATED 5/23/2006 - *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 15, 2006100,400 milesCT

1) CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH/SURGING/STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 2) SOMETHING HAS ENTERED THE ENGINE CAUSING MARKS ON PISTON TOP/CYLINDER BORES AND DAMAGING THE SPARK PLUG. 3) BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER WERE TO BLAME. I CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER. THIS ALLOWED CAR TO RUN BETTER BUT STILL RUNS ROUGH/SURGES/WON'T IDLE PROPERLY. BROUGHT CAR TO LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY INSPECTED CYLINDER BORES AND FOUND DAMAGE TO PISTON AND A 2ND PISTON/SPARK PLUG. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR SENTRA'S BUT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS RECALL COVERS SCREWS FALLING INTO MOTOR. CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RESET BECAUSE OF THE AIR FILTER WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT BRAND FILTER. WHEN TOLD ABOUT DAMAGES IN MOTOR THERE WAS NO REPLY. WHEN ASKED IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ONE. CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL AND THAT MY CAR IS COVERED BUT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. MY CAR IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/ENGINE SIZE AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I'M TRYING TO GET MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 22, 2005FL

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON AN INTERSTATE, THE IMPACT WAS AT ABOUT 70 MPH TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE IN A NISSAN SENTRA. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE SHIFT THE DASHBOARD ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

Power Train › Axle AssemblyCrash
Filed Oct 6, 20059,000 milesPR

DT: SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE SUSPENSION FELT WEAK. RIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT A LARGE SOUND WAS HEARD AND A BUMP WAS FELT FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN LEFT BUT THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO STRAIGHT AND THE CONSUMER RAN INTO SOME TREES/ A BARBED WIRE FENCE, AND A DITCH. THE AXLE AND DISC BROKE.*AK *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel CylindersCrash
Filed Jul 28, 20055 milesHI

CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AT APPROX 30 FT, I PUT ON BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT WORK, PUMPED BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK MISSED REAR OF CAR ,A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME LEFT BRAKE LOCKED WENT LEFT PUT ON BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 20058,000 milesFL

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA, ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THEY HAVE SINCE PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AND JUST TODAY THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE FAILED YET AGAIN.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 4, 20057,010 milesVA

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA (1.8 ENGINE, AUTO TRANS). ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVING UP WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, CAR IN DRIVE, FOOT ON BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN STEADILY INCREASING THE IDLE SPEED AND THE ENGINE REVVED (WITH MY FOOT TON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME) TO I WOULD GUESS 2500-3000 RPMS. JUST AS QUICKLY, REVVING CEASED AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE INCREASE AND DECREASE IN IDLE SPEED PROBABLY OCCURRED OVER ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I HAD A SIMILAR EPISODE, AGAIN WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AT AN EVEN HIGHER RPM RATE. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR REVVED VIOLENTLY AT A RATE THAT MUST HAVE BEEN APPROACHING FULL THROTTLE. IT SORT OF REVVED FULL AND THEN BACKED OFF SLIGHTLY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. ONCE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ADJUSTED THE IDLE BUT I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, AND I AM CONCERNED. I SUSPECT A COMPUTER FAILURE OF SOME KIND. NISSAN MUST BE PRESSURED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 25, 2004CA

BACKING DOWN A HILLY DRIVEWAY IN NEUTRAL BRAKES WENT OUT. THIS LEAD TO RUNNING INTO A GUARD RAIL. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED AFTERWARDS TO STOP THE ROLLING. BRAKES WORKED FINE ON FLAT SURFACE. MINOR NECK INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED WILL CONTACT MAUFACTURER.*AK

Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Filed Dec 21, 2004CA

DRIVERS SEAT DETACHES FROM SLIDING RAIL OR BOLT IN FLOORBOARD SEAT MECHANISM IN THE FOWARD AND POSSIBLY OTHER, POSITIONS. TO CORRECT FAILURE I SLID SEAT BOTTOM BACK AND THEN FOWARD INTO A DIFFERENT POSITION AND IT SECURES UNTIL THE SEAT IS MOVED AGAIN.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Dec 11, 200413,500 milesNJ

AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WILL ENGAGE (A/C WILL TURN ON) REGARDLESS OF AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE, WHEN ONE OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET: 1. WHEN THE INTERIOR CABIN TEMPERATURE DIAL IS SET TO ANY TEMPERATURE, INCLUDING HOT (RED AREA ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT), AND THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST OPTION IS NOT SET (A/C SHOULD NOT BE ON, BUT WILL TURN ON), OR 2. THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST OPTION ON THE AIR HANDLER DIAL IS SET ONCE, THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL TURN ON, AND STAY ON REGARDLESS OF ANY TEMPERATURE DIAL CHANGE OR OTHER SETTING CHANGE THE DRIVER PERFORMS AS LONG AS THE CABIN BLOWER STAYS ON (SELECTED SPEED FROM 0 THROUGH 4). IN THE BEST CASE, THIS WILL CAUSE POOR FUEL ECONOMY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING WITHOUT NEED IN COLD WEATHER. IN THE WORST CASE, INSTANT FOGGING MAY OCCUR ON THE INTERIOR SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR GLASS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO POOR VISIBILITY AND EVENTUALLY A CRASH. USING HEAT SETTINGS IN THE WINTER AT THE SAME TIME THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED WILL CAUSE ABNORMALLY HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS IN THE CABIN. CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DECEMBER HAS BEEN THE COLDEST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP YET, AND HAS RESOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY DISCONNECTING THE 12V-14VDC LINE THAT ENGAGES A/C COMPRESSOR JUST FOR COLD WEATHER DRIVING. CONSUMER SECURED THE LINE USING 2 PLASTIC WIRE TIES, SECURING IT AWAY FROM THE AUTOMATIC FAN AND THE HEAT SHIELD ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO AVOID AN ELECTRICAL MALF

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Dec 3, 2004NV

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 1, 20042,800 milesMS

20 FEET AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND WENT INTO A DITCH AND IMPACTED A SEWER DRAIN. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY BURNED BY THE AIRBAGS WHEN THEY DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE ABOVE FAILURES IS UNDETERMINED. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 29, 200410,500 milesNJ

INTERIOR POWER LOCK ROCKER SWITCH FAILS TO ENGAGE DOOR LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS, AND ACTUALLY OPENS THE DOOR LOCKS INSTEAD OF CLOSING THEM. AS I HAVE SAID ON MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, IF YOU WANT TO STAY ALIVE, STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CARS AND TRUCKS.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Sep 27, 20048,000 milesTN

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, FOLLOWED BY ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. SOME COMPONENTS WERE DIGITAL ILLUMINATING LIKE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT.*AK

Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
Filed Sep 13, 200411,000 milesTX

MY FRONT RIGHT STRUT FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ONLY 5 MONTHS AND 11,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE AND THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL HIGHWAY MILES. THIS FAILURE LEFT THE CAR VERY UNSTABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO MANUVERE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. NO CRASH OCCURED BECAUSE I STARTED DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER KEPT THE OLD STRUT. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 26, 2004450 milesNC

PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA BRAND NEW WITH 137 MILES ON IT, 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, HEARD NOISE COMING FROM CAR WHENEVER CHANGING INTO GEAR, (AUTOMATIC TRANS) REPORTED IT TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT, TOOK IN FOR SERVICE, FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE, REPLACEMENT UNIT WAS ORDERED, WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTINUE TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED, CAR HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC, WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, AND HAS ALSO STALLED SITTING STILL AT A LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WITH A REFURBISHED UNIT, ALL SEEMED FINE FOR A FEW HUNDRED MILES, NOW SAME NOISES AND COMPLICATIONS FROM ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION ARE IN THIS UNIT, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS. OW VEHICLE HAS TO GO IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN ON REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jul 22, 20042,060 milesNJ

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ECM MATERIAL RECALL 03V477000 IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORWARD, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jul 22, 20042,060 milesNJ

2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S: PURCHASED NEW ON 3/13/2004. MILEAGE 2060 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, BROUGHT TO DEALER, ECM REPROGRAMMED, DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING STILL PERSISTS, VEHICLE SHUT OFF ONCE WHILE REFUELING. MILEAGE, APPROX. 4725 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO "NO HARD CODE IS STORED." ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING PERSISTS. VEHICLE SHUT OFF SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. BEGAN LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS IN NEW JERSEY. MILEAGE, 5370 - MYRTLE BEACH, SC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. CAR IS BUCKING IN 1ST GEAR (AUTOMATIC), "MAPP" GAS OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL (POSSIBLY EXCESS SULFUR) COMING FROM EXHAUST. ERROR CODE P0171/P0174, AIR FLOW METER REPLACED WITH NO FURTHER FAILURES. MILEAGE, 5637 - CHARLOTTE, NC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE NOW BUCKS AT HIGH SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN LETTING UP ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER PROLONGED HIGHWAY DRIVING, VERY ERRATIC IDLE, AT TIMES ALMOST REACHING 0 RPMS WHILE PARKED. DEALER RESET ECM, COULD NOT DETECT ANY FAILURES. ARRANGED TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP BUT FINALLY FUEL PUMP WAS NOT CHANGED. VEHICLE DRIVEN BACK TO NEW JERSEY WITH SAME FAILURES AS LISTED ABOVE. SINCE CHARLOTTE, NC SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO TIMES, AND HAS GONE AWAY JUST AS FAST. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO KEEP MY ONLY CAR (AND NEW CAR) IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, SINCE THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL. MY RECOMMENDATION:

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1 injured
Filed Jul 15, 2004VA

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SIDE-VIEW MIRROR STUCK A POST. THE MIRROR EXPLODED, PROJECTING SHARDS OF GLASS THROUGHOUT THE CAR. I, THE DRIVER, RECEIVED A NEAR-BLINDING PUNCTURE TO THE LEFT EYE. A LARGE PIECE OF GLASS FROM THE MIRROR STUCK THE LEFT EYE, LEAVING A LACERATION. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 24, 20049,000 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AFTER HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED TWICE ALREADY AND THEN BOLTS FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL THE SAME AS WHEN THE CATALYST WAS BURNED UP. THE CATALYST HAD BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY WITH FUNNY SMELLS AND RATTLES.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 19, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 20, 2004IN

THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 TIRES. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE TIRE WHEN FLAT WHEN I WAS PARKING. THE TIRE EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS RECALL DATED FEBRUARY 20, 2001. THE BELT WAS SEPARATING AND AIR IS LEAKING OUT.

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 16, 20044,490 milesCT

2004 NISSAN SENTRA. BORN ON DATE OF APRIL 2003. BOUGHT IN OCT 2004. CURRENTLY HAS 4495 MILES. CAR STALLED TWICE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ON 04/02/2004 TO CHECK FOR PROBLEM (4331 MILES). NO FAILURE CODES INDICATED IN MEMORY OF COMPUTER. ON APRIL 8TH THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SON HAS MEMORY LOSS FROM STOP SIGN TO WHEN CAR CAME TO REST. HE DOES NOT HAVE FULL MEMORY RECALL. IT IS COMING BACK BUT IS SPOTTY. HE CURRENTLY RECALLS TALKING TO A PARAMEDIC, A SMALL BUMPING SENSATION AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON (LIKE WHEN THE CAR STALLED BEFORE). IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CARS? I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR CARS BUILT FROM JAN 2000 TO MARCH 2003 FOR CASES OF STALLING. WE GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. ONLY NISSAN HAS PERFORMED ANY MNTC. OIL CHANGE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 16, 20044,400 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER.*AK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2004705 milesMA

PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON 3/15/04 AT 495 MILES ON THE COMPUTER DIED - LOST ENGINE POWER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY AND I ACCEPTED DELIVERY OF REPAIRED VEHICLE ON 3/19/04. ON 3/31/04 AT 720 MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MADE IT TO DEALER - WAS TOLD 'NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME' AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, CONSTANTLY LOSING POWER IN TRAFFIC - THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT AWAY, OR LEAVE IT THERE AND WALK HOME (10 MILES)... *JB

Electrical System
Filed Feb 2, 2004CA

THE KEYLESS REMOTE DOES NOT WORK UNLESS THEY TAKE OUT A FUSE BECAUSE OF A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - THAT PARTICULAR FUSE CONTROLED THE LIGHTS IN THE VANITY MIRROW - THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO ORDER A PART TO FIX IT - AND THAT ALL 2004 MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE! MAYBE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM - WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALERSHIP. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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