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 380 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Nissan Sentra, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 134 | 35% |
| Air bags | 41 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 33 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 6% |
| Engine | 22 | 6% |
| Power train | 11 | 3% |
| Power train | 8 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2% |
| Power train | 5 | 1% |
| Steering | 4 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
After Nissan dealership updated ECM on 6/1/2026, the MIL came on with code p0101. This causes the car to go into limo mode while driving on the highway. I took car back to Nissan who said they needed to clean the wires,
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
When I was driving through a residential neighborhood going about 30 mph the hood latch assembly snapped right there where it is bolted down to the frame which entailed smashed my windshield and dented my hood so therefo
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Nissan Sentra. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. However, the seller had an LLC. At the time of purchase, the mi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My rear view camera is not making any noise to let me know if somebody is behind me or I’m getting to close to something. Almost hit somebody!
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed w
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Unknown.I have problems sometimes after I stop to get out with my doors not unlocking like they should.Happens off and on
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
While driving, I noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Within moments, flames appeared in the engine area and spread quickly, causing severe damage to the front portion of the car including the engine, elec
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Transmission failed, as I went to turn left it stalled and on coming traffic had to slam on there brakes and 6 veh. Ran into each other i dud not get hit but feel so bad that the 2914 nissan sentra i drive caused this tr
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2014 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 model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occup
Risk: If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may
Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted)
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Alti
| Reliability | 63 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 53 | average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 134 of them (35%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 63/100 (average) 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 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 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.