2003 Nissan Sentra Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 4% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,400 miles. 2 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.
“My 2003 Nissan Sentra was rear-ended by a driver travelling approximately 60 MPH. The rear seat virtually collapsed and if there were anyone sitting there they would have been killed. My wife and I were sitting in the front seats. She spent a week in the hospital with head injuries and I spent two days. Why aren't cars tested for rear impact, similar to our accident, instead of only front and side impact?”
NHTSA complaint #10110802, filed 2005-02, 30,400 miles“I purchased my 2003 Nissan Sentra gxe on june 10, 2003. Since that time, I have 7 work orders on my vehicle and that doesn't count each time I had to go to the dealership to show the problem and then made an appointment for problems with the drivers side door and window, a ding they put in the hood, not even close to sticker gas mileage and the service engine light coming on for no reason found and now there's a recall on that I haven't been notified of yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10052321, filed 2004-01, 3,500 miles“Both driver and passenger side door produce noise as a result of a vibration. Dealer was able to repair passenger side door. But, because dealer could not verify noise from drivers side door they could not repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #10036758, filed 2003-08, 100 miles“I have purchased a Nissan Sentra 2003 . I have discovered that the windows do no fit nicely into the rubber runs. In fact you can see and feel the gaps. I feel that it is a safety hazard because when I'm driving on the highway and proceed to close my windows, they won't close properly and the wind whistles through the car and I have to pull over to close them. I called stadium Nissan in calgary, alberta canada. I spoke to darren in the service department there and was advised that because my 60,000 km warranty had run out that it would cost me approx $ 230.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135717, filed 2005-09“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 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 9 | 4% |
| 2016 | 10 | 4% |
| 2015 | 14 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 5% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 8% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
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 complaintsBrakes
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 28, 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