2009 Nissan Sentra

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

73/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Sentra, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	10	18%
Steering	6	11%
Service brakes	4	7%
Tires	3	5%
Service brakes	3	5%
Power train	2	4%
Suspension	2	4%
Electrical system	2	4%
Steering	2	4%
Engine and engine cooling	2	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

My car is included by year in the current airbag recall. However it comes up negative and the airbag icon started blinking last week. There were no incidents prior to the blinking.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn’t die there was no sign on the dashboard als
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

I was driving on the interstate to go and visit my granddaughter from PA to New York when all of a sudden I press on the break pedal and the brakes stopped working there was no warning sign on the dashboard I was alone i
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT POP ON WHEN I WAS STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH ,FIRE , OR FLOOD. THE AIR BAG MODULE MUST BE A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM, THIS IS NOT NO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. THERE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

I HAVE BEEN GETTING GRINDING NOISES FROM MY TRANSMISSION SINCE THE FALL OF 2016. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE GEORGESVILLE NISSAN SHOP IN COLUMBUS, OH WHERE THEY STATED THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE NOISE OR HEAR IT EVEN THOUGH THE N
NHTSA complaint: Power train

MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION WARRANTY ENDED AT 120,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 145,500 MILES. I'VE READ ONLINE THESE VEHICLES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE ISSUES WITH REPAIR CODE P0744. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR O
NHTSA complaint: Power train

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTS BLINKING .I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE CAR. AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

WAS TOWED IN AND THE LF BALL JOINT IS RUSTED AND FELL APART. THE STUD AND NUT ARE STILL ATTACHED TO THE KNUCKLE AND THE BALL PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET. THIS ALLOWED THE SUSPENSION OF DROP THAT CORNER OF THE CAR DOWN AND
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 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.

Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) 10V401000

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.

Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: 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 SEP

The seven scores

Reliability	87	excellent
Longevity est.	80	excellent
Maintenance	82	excellent
Depreciation	61	average
Performance	50	average
Efficiency	47	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 60% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 70% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 75% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 60% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 87: from NHTSA recalls and complaints, divided by approximate units sold so it is comparable between models.
Longevity 80: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2009 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 82: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2009 Nissan Sentra?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 10 of them (18%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2009 Nissan Sentra reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.

How long will a 2009 Nissan Sentra last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2009 Nissan Sentra?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. 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.