Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan Sentra, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 22% |
| Engine | 16 | 14% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
| Tires | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Bought a 2006 Nissan Sentra from an individual as a first car for my grandson. Drivers Seatbelt does not retract. Took to body shop and they said it was a safety issue and we would need to take it to the dealer. The Nis
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated then stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle. The ch
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light would remain illuminated and the b1066 front passenger air bag module due to electrical circuit shortage. The vehicl
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and exiting the highway, the vehicle decelerated and then lost motive power. The vehicle lost power steering and braking functi
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Car has pick up issues. It has been issues when Stop at signal light and I afraid behind cars may hit me. When I did research on internet found many people complained for the same issue. I did replace EVAP canister still
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V747000 (Air Bags) and had the vehicle taken to the dealer to be repaired. Additionally, the transmission fluid was flu
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DRIVE BY WIRE .WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON IT DRAGS U THREW RED LIGHTS. UNLESS U PUT IN NEUTRAL. IDLES TOO HIGH NOT DISENGAGING THE TQ.CONVERTER .
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE MANUAL LOCK DOWN LEAVER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE ,THIS ALLOWS THE STEERING WHEEL TO COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 Nissan Sentra. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to prop
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator,
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may caus
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious inj
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. N
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.
Risk: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM OR ENGINE COMPUTER). YOUR VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS BEEN CONSUMING ENGINE OIL AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE. IN A
| Reliability | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 26 of them (22%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.