CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Sentra earned its clunker status after numerous reports of blown head gaskets.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,817 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Nissan Sentra engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jul 252016

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 166,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. While driving on the interstate at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle lost power and all of the sensor lights illuminated. The vehicle was pulled onto the left shoulder. The vehicle restarted and was driven approximately one mile; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor had to be replaced due to overheating. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine, engine cooling). The failure mileage was 166,000...updated 11/17/16 status request. Updated 11/22/16....updated 08/02/17

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #25

Apr 042014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 88,186 miles
Comments: My daughter, [xxx], owned a 2005 niacin sentry which had to have the cam position sensor and crank position sensor replaced on 4/9/14 after the car quick running while driving home from work. She was idling at a light, and the vehicle stopped accelerating when she tried to proceed. Since then, she traded the car in. In researching 2005 niacin sentry recalls, there is a recall NHTSA reference #07V527000, which is for the crankshaft position sensor on 2005 niacin sentry vehicles with a 2.5L engine. Apparently, her vehicle does not have this engine but, amazingly, had the same problem. I spoke with a niacin rep, melody, who just repeated some standard text she was reading, which did not make any sense to me. It seems my daughter's niacin had the same issue as that in the recall. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Phoenix, NY, USA

problem #24

Oct 142013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 95,432 miles
While driving down the side street at approximately 25 miles per hour, my car suddenly stopped without warning and turned off. Later I found out that the part that was affected was recalled on several Nissan models but that my particular VIN number was not included in the recall. The piece that was defected was recalled in 2007, and could have caused a severe car accident with me and my toddler in the back seat had I been on a busy street or highway; yet, Nissan is putting up a fight to not cover the cost under the recall campaign because my VIN number was not a part of the campaign.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

problem #23

Feb 202013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1.8L 2005 Nissan Sentra. As I was driving to work my vehicle shutdown. I looked at the recall NHTSA campaign number 07V527000 crankshaft position sensor failure/engine stall. I was going 65mph on the freeway when my car died. I had my mechanic look at my car and found it was the crankshaft position sensor.

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #22

Oct 182012

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
NHTSA action number: RQ06001 requires Nissan to fix the recalled crankshaft sensor in our car because the part has been recalled for safety reasons, however Nissan refuses to fix this problem. It is unsafe to drive and needs to be fixed.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #21

Feb 012012

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I started having problems with my car starting to overheat, as soon as I would see the car overheat I would pull over and wait for it to cool as I started to experience these problems. I started to research the car on the internet and this web site for car complaints had at least 500 car owners with the same make and model having their cars overheat. I have taking it to four different auto shops and first they say maybe the water pump, maybe the radiator, and then they all decide it a blown headgasket. How is that even be possible I have owned many cars and never have had this big of issue. And after reading all of these other car owners having the same issue how can these many people have the same problem and why is there not a recall. We all spend alot of money to buy a car and to maintain a car and this is one issue that maybe 1 or 2 people may have but not hundreds"????" here is where I found the most complaints. www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Sentra/2005/

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #20

Feb 072012

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle started to display "check engine soon" light at aprox. 55,000 miles I took it to dealership for a diagnostic, initially they said it was a bad fuel sensor but after returning car to me P0300 error light came back on next day. I took back to dealership this time they said it was a bad head gasket upon further investigation I found information from 3 separate sources that numerous consumers who have purchased the same make and model 2005 Nissan Sentra have had similar problems with faulty head gasket I also found Nissan is aware of a problem with 2005 Nissan Sentra head gasket but refuse at this time to do a recall most likely because it is not a safety issue but a monetary issue basically Nissan Corp. Would rather have consumers have to come out of their pocket and pay for repair then stand behind their product and do the right thing and do a recall on 2005 Nissan Sentra head gasket. www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Sentra/2005/engine/blown_head_gasket.shtml www.topix.com/forum/autos/Nissan-Sentra/tp3df0A7jti0akn92.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 072011

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated and caused the vehicle to become resistant to start-up attempts. The vehicle was also losing anti-freeze abnormally but the contact was unable to locate a hole or leak in the radiator. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure. The contact spoke with a local mechanic who advised that the head gasket could possibly need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 33,899 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated11/29/11 the consumer stated anti-freeze was leaking from the vehicle and the engine light illuminated. Updated 12/13/11

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #18

Aug 302011

Sentra

  • 49,542 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated and the contact heard a loud, abnormal noise from behind the dashboard. The contact then noticed that there was dust and oil seepage on the cylinder head that was never present before. The vehicle was left with the dealer for diagnosis, but requested that the contact authorize removal of the cylinder head for further inspection. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repair unless the contact authorized for further inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 49,542. The VIN was not available.

- San Fransico, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 062011

Sentra

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the engine would begin to lose power and nearly stall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The dealer also stated that there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07V52700 (engine and engine cooling), but the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Mount Lake Terrace, WA, USA

problem #16

Jul 052011

Sentra

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Blown head gasket on 2005 nissian Sentra 1.8. this is a reoccuring problem with hundreds of Nissan Sentra vehicles. Look at all the testimonies online. The NHTSA should put a recall alert on this product. To many consumeres losing money because it happens after the warranty has expired.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #15

Apr 102011

Sentra

  • 97,000 miles
Dipstick for oil separated. There is no way to check the oil.

- Flemington, NJ, USA

problem #14

Dec 232010

Sentra

  • 76,200 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 35 mph the contact noticed that the heat stopped blowing from the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that a head gasket had blown out. The head gasket was replaced. The failure mileage was 76,200 and the current mileage was 76,300.

- Burlington, CT, USA

problem #13

Sep 062010

Sentra

  • 65,000 miles
Nissan Sentra 05 head gasket Nissan Sentra's ( especially 05's ) seem to have problems with head gaskets blowing. Desperately needs to be recalled would truly appreciate if you look into this problem. Everyone it seems has problems with it. If you look up 05 Sentra complaints online 9 out of 10 times its head gasket. I gave false information on here concerning the incident report in hopes that it would increase chances of my description being read. Don't try my contact information either because it should also be obviously false. Please help.

- Nissan, ID, USA

problem #12

Aug 242010

Sentra

  • 105,000 miles
I have a 2005 Nissan senta. I was driving down the freeway and my car shut off while in drive. My check engine light came on. I was informed that my crankshaft position sensor needs to be replace. I have replaced the part twice and my car still cuts off while driving. There is a recall for this issue with Nissan and Nissan is telling my that my VIN number does not qualify for the recall. Nissan wants me to pay for a diagonistic from a Nissan dealarship and if they prove that it is defeacted then they will replace it.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Apr 302010

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
I recently had to have the crank sensor replaced on my 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8L engine. I found that there was a recall for the 2005 Sentra 2.5 L engine, but not the 1.8L engines. I feel that there should be a recall in this case, because my car shut down many times on the high way with no warning. The car completely stalled out and stopped working, and it's a real danger to those on the road.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #10

Apr 302010

(reported on)

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Nissan Sentra engine light recall. On the consumer stated it took six months for the part to arrive. The dealer claimed the problem was fixed. However, the consumer continues to experience problems with the engine light illuminating. The consumer stated the vehicle failed emissions due to the recall problem not being resolved.

- Inwood, NV, USA

problem #9

Mar 152010

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 65,780 miles
I have a 2005 Nissan Sentra (VIN #[xxx] ) that has blown a head gasket at 65,000 miles. On March 15 I noticed my car had trouble starting, engine would turn over but not catch. It did start, however, so I drove home, called a mech and scheduled an appt for the 17th. On the 16th my car would not start and had to be towed to the mech. This mech ran diagnostics and discovered a blown head gasket. Asked me what other symptoms I had been having..there were none. I then had the car towed to another mechanic -- for a second opinion -- since my 1st mechanic was surprised and a bit shocked that the head gasket would go bad this early in the life of my car. The 2nd mechanic diagnosed the samething and was also shocked it was the head gasket since head gaskets normally last well over 100,000 miles. I called the local Nissan dealership and was told a) that the head gasket is only covered under warranty up to 60,000 miles and B) that had I taken better care of my car, this would not have happened. I do take excellent care of my car.. I'm actually a bit anal about getting the recommended oil changes and have the records to prove it. Told him this and essentially he blew me off. Interestingly, he was the only one not surprised that the head gasket had blown. In my research since then, I have discovered that the #1 complaint for the 2005 Nissan Sentra is a blown head gasket between 65,000 and 75,000 miles. It would appear to me that Nissan knew they used a defective part but 'covered themselves' by only covering it up to 60,000 miles. They admitted that their other 'models' do not have this problem (though I did not get this in writing) and actually tried to sell me another Nissan. While this was not dangerous to me, as it happened in the safety of my garage, had it happened on the road it could have had a much different outcome. I'm out lots of money (approx $1,200) and after a week still do not have a running car. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Farmington, AR, USA

problem #8

Apr 212008

Sentra

  • 76,000 miles
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 head gasket failure - car overheated on highway, antifreeze leaking in engine compartment. Had car towed to Nissan dealership and confirmed head gasket failure. Bought vehicle new, less than 36 months of ownership, but 76K miles. Attempted to work through customer relations at Nissan to recover a portion of the repair expense as good will, but was denied.

- Hopewell Junction , NY, USA

problem #7

Apr 182008

Sentra

  • 67,000 miles
Thermostat froze shut causing car to overheat and blow the head gasket. Luckily I caught it before it was to late. Im also a mechanic. I had a lose of heat in the car so I knew what it was. This should not be happening to a car with 67K miles. I had to pay $900 for Nissan to fix it as I was in the middle of a move and didn't have access to my tools. All of these listings with sever engine trouble is caused by this overheat issue. The thermostat is defective in many Sentra, then other damage occurs. This will be the last Nissan I buy. In the beginning Nissan told me they would cover this, then after the fact they would not. Also the fuel pump has always been weak and now needs replacement (same mileage) and the cd player quite working. They knew what they were doing with limiting the warranty to 60K.

- Tuscumbia , AL, USA

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