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2008 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

15 reports
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70,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

WHEN MY CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP, MY KNEE HIT THE IGNITION KEY. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF THOUGH THE CAR GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN "D". THE STEERING ALSO WAS LOCKED. FORTUNATELY I WAS STOPPING THE CAR AT THE SIGNAL. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN AT RISK. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS RECALLS RELATED TO THIS TYPE OF…

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WHEN MY CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP, MY KNEE HIT THE IGNITION KEY. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF THOUGH THE CAR GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN "D". THE STEERING ALSO WAS LOCKED. FORTUNATELY I WAS STOPPING THE CAR AT THE SIGNAL. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN AT RISK. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS RECALLS RELATED TO THIS TYPE OF SITUATION BUT NISSAN NEVER GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME NOR THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO DO A RECALL TO SAVE THE CAR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632281

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A SPOT OF ICE AND HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD TAKING OUT TWO SIGNS AND HEAD ON INTO A TREE. I WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE TRAUMA UNIT AT THE HOSPITAL. I HAD A BROKEN FEMUR, SHATTERED KNEE, BROKEN ANKLE, BROKEN FOOT, LACERATED LIVER, PUNCTURED LUNG AND BROKEN RIBS. MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615293

72,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN JUNE 2014 AND THE CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE A NISSAN SENTRA 2008 THAT I BROUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE RE…

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I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN JUNE 2014 AND THE CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE A NISSAN SENTRA 2008 THAT I BROUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $500. I HAD ALREADY REPLACE THE AIR SENSOR IN 2013 FOR $400 AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHEN THE CAR HAD 52,000 MILES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO EXPLORE WHY AT 72,000 MILES THE CAR NEEDS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACE AND WAS THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THEY DID NOT HELP; HAD LIMITED ANSWERS AND STATED THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP IN 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPLANATION. I DECIDED TO GET THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE. HOWEVER, TODAY THE CAR STALLED AGAIN AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I AM RETURNING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. HOWEVER, I BELIEF THERE ARE MORE ELECTRICAL/ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN SENTRA 2008 BESIDES THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT BEING FORTHCOMING ABOUT AND THIS CAN PUT MY LIFE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD IN DANGER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ALREADY DID A RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FROM 2006 TO 2012 FOR THE SAME PART. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611034

54,000 miles · May 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594516

90,000 miles · Sep 2, 2013
Engine

IT STARTED WITH A SMALL CLUNK NOISE THAT WILL GO AWAY AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING THE CAR, SIX MONTHS LATER THE CLUNKING NOISE DOESN'T STOP,MOVE FROM REGULAR OIL TO FULL SYNTHETIC OIL, NEW SPARK PLUGS, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK, NOW THE NOISE IS SO LOUD I AM AFRAID THE CAR MAY CATCH FIRE, BUT HAD NO CHOICE BUT DRIVE IT, MY CAR HAS …

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IT STARTED WITH A SMALL CLUNK NOISE THAT WILL GO AWAY AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING THE CAR, SIX MONTHS LATER THE CLUNKING NOISE DOESN'T STOP,MOVE FROM REGULAR OIL TO FULL SYNTHETIC OIL, NEW SPARK PLUGS, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK, NOW THE NOISE IS SO LOUD I AM AFRAID THE CAR MAY CATCH FIRE, BUT HAD NO CHOICE BUT DRIVE IT, MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 100 K AND I BOUGHT IT NEW EXPECTING THIS CAR TO LAST WAY LONGER THAN THIS, IS NOT FAIR OR THIS TO HAPPEN SPECIALLY WITH NISSAN KNOWING THE PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH PUTTING SMALLER PISTONS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538327

Official recalls

3

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09V431000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Nov 3, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WARNING LAMP IS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V311000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Jul 11, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MACHINING IRREGULARITY BY THE SUPPLIER, THE INTERNAL SEAL GROOVE IN THE BODY OF SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP IN THE GROOVE CONTACT AREA OF THE SEAL. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WARNING LAMP IS IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY AND IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE IS DETECTED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP16002 · Scope Of Recalls 08V311 And 09V431

Opened Dec 20, 2016 · Closed Oct 2, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA utilized vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) reports and did not request field information from Nissan.ODI identified two MY 2008 Nissan Sentra VOQs including the petitioner?s vehicle, which were not covered by the recalls and reported a leaking master cylinder.Both of these incidents occurred 6 or more years into the service life of the vehicle.ODI also identified three VOQs which reported a leaking master cylinder after receiving the recall remedy.While one of these failures occurred within 36 months of the recall remedy, the other two occurred at a later time.ODI notes that the original recall addressed failures which occurred early in the life of the vehicle, typically during the first 36 months of service.Master cylinders are generally expected to experience wear and thus will display a finite service life.After a thorough review of the available data in NHTSA's VOQ database, the agency has not identified a trend that would call into question the scope or adequacy of Nissan's recalls.Accordingly, and in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, ODI is denying the petition.A detailed summary of ODI's analysis of this petition is available in the investigative file for this action, and will be published in the Federal Register also.The agency reserves the right to revise this assessment should future circumstances warrant.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 10299791 10330891 10449038 10567372 10638813 10805749 10839357

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA utilized vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) reports and did not request field information from Nissan.ODI identified two MY 2008 Nissan Sentra VOQs including the petitioner?s vehicle, which were not covered by the recalls and reported a leaking master cylinder.Both of these incidents occurred 6 or more years into the service life of the vehicle.ODI also identified three VOQs which reported a leaking master cylinder after receiving the recall remedy.While one of these failures occurred within 36 months of the recall remedy, the other two occurred at a later time.ODI notes that the original recall addressed failures which occurred early in the life of the vehicle, typically during the first 36 months of service.Master cylinders are generally expected to experience wear and thus will display a finite service life.After a thorough review of the available data in NHTSA's VOQ database, the agency has not identified a trend that would call into question the scope or adequacy of Nissan's recalls.Accordingly, and in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, ODI is denying the petition.A detailed summary of ODI's analysis of this petition is available in the investigative file for this action, and will be published in the Federal Register also.The agency reserves the right to revise this assessment should future circumstances warrant.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 10299791 10330891 10449038 10567372 10638813 10805749 10839357

Service Brakes

Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA utilized vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) reports and did not request field information from Nissan.ODI identified two MY 2008 Nissan Sentra VOQs including the petitioner?s vehicle, which were not covered by the recalls and reported a leaking master cylinder.Both of these incidents occurred 6 or more years into the service life of the vehicle.ODI also identified three VOQs which reported a leaking master cylinder after receiving the recall remedy.While one of these failures occurred within 36 months of the recall remedy, the other two occurred at a later time.ODI notes that the original recall addressed failures which occurred early in the life of the vehicle, typically during the first 36 months of service.Master cylinders are generally expected to experience wear and thus will display a finite service life.After a thorough review of the available data in NHTSA's VOQ database, the agency has not identified a trend that would call into question the scope or adequacy of Nissan's recalls.Accordingly, and in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, ODI is denying the petition.A detailed summary of ODI's analysis of this petition is available in the investigative file for this action, and will be published in the Federal Register also.The agency reserves the right to revise this assessment should future circumstances warrant.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 10299791 10330891 10449038 10567372 10638813 10805749 10839357