2003 Nissan Sentra Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,647miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 4% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,647 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. Head gasket and crank position sensor problem caused engine stopped working without warning. This happened twice in the past 3 month, once on a highway, once on a local expressway. 2. After fixing the problem above, brakes suddenly stopped working at about 25 MPH within 2 miles driving, leading to an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10353486, filed 2010-09, 52,647 miles“- the contact called regarding the 2003 Nissan Sentra. The driver was traveling at 45-50 MPH when the engine suddenly shut off,and the vehicle continued to move. The driver applied the brakes and the vehicle would not stop, and the steering wheel locked. The road conditions were icy. The vehicle hit a cement wall. The driver and passenger air bags deployed. There were no injuries. The contact was given a police report. The failure mileage was 50,000. The vehicle was towed. The insurance investigator was going to inspect the vehicle on 2/27/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10183632, filed 2007-02, 5,000 miles“I bought a new Nissan Sentra gxe back on feb. 2, 2003. When I took the test drive, I did not realize there was a big distance between the gas pedal and the break pedal. While driving the car on the street or the highway, it is too difficult to switch your feet from the gas pedal to the break pedal. The shoe itself, can get stuck between the gas and the break pedal causing a serious crash. Also my feet and ankle can develop a serious pain and injury causing joint pain and some bone injuries. Therefore, driver can't react on time to avoid an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10010898, filed 2003-03“I purchased my Sentra in dec of 2002. One week after I bought it, I had to take it in because it clunked when you turned the wheel. Took it back to dealer and front suspension was loose. Fixed the clunk. Started to notice that 2 qts of engine oil was gone and the coolant level kept dropping even though I kept pouring more in. Took it back to dealer, claimed there was air bubble in engine and to let it go. Still noticing engine oil smell and coolant level low. Dealer claims nothing is wrong. Passenger side window leaks, had run channel replaced twice. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041353, filed 2003-10“The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. While driving 10 MPH, the engine shut off. The check engine light illuminated prior to the failure. The engine's computer was replaced. There was a bearing that failed and a couple of push rods bad. The vehicle's warranty expired and the contact had to pay for the repair. The Nissan manufacturer informed him to take the vehicle back to the dealer and start a file. The mechanic stated that because of the oil burning in the engine, the contact was not maintaining the vehicle properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214524, filed 2008-01, 69,321 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 4 | 5% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 25 | 12% |
| 2019 | 38 | 17% |
| 2018 | 40 | 22% |
| 2017 | 22 | 10% |
| 2016 | 21 | 8% |
| 2015 | 18 | 5% |
| 2014 | 35 | 9% |
| 2013 | 97 | 15% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 14 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 18% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 20 | 13% |
| 2006 | 5 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 7% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 10 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 12% |
| 1998 | 7 | 12% |
| 1997 | 15 | 14% |
| 1996 | 10 | 7% |
| 1995 | 25 | 21% |
| 1994 | 15 | 15% |
| 1993 | 9 | 16% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 7 | 11% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Sentra
86 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology