2005 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,141miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Sentra, 6% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,141 miles.
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.
“I brought my car into the dealership for service and they said it has a blown head gasket.they also said that it would cost $2500 and this car only has 64000 miles on it.the dealer said that this is a known issue with the 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11255696, filed 2019-09, 64,000 miles“I am the first owner of Nissan Sentra 1.8s 2005. At mileage 74,900, the check engine light turned on and a Nissan dealership retrieved the code p0303 cylinder 3 misfiring on september 1, 2012. I also noticed, the coolant started to drop. Specifically, first time I reported the coolant drop to a Nissan dealer on october 9, 2012 (at mileage 75,557) who ran a pressure test but asked to come back if I noticed the coolant drop again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493544, filed 2013-01, 74,900 miles“Driving on the highway. Engine check light came on. Car would only do 10 miles per hour on a superhighway - very very dangerous. I was able to drive 2 miles this way on very side of road to side road where I parked. When I started it up again it drove normally. This check engine light is very dangerous. I see there is a lot of trouble with Nissan sentras. Alot of trouble. It is time for this govt agency to start working for consumers and stop being front men for car companies. The car only has 57000 miles on it. I was scared out of my mind and very frightened. I am 73 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10253665, filed 2009-01, 57,000 miles“Traveling on main highway w/ air temp (oat) 90 degrees. Running A/C. Coolant temp showed normal. Vechicle stalled and coasted to a stop. Waited and it started. Did this four more times before destination. Code 335 reading (camshaft sensor). 1.8l engine. Not 2.5. Replaced both camshaft and crankshaft sensors.”
NHTSA complaint #10627054, filed 2014-08, 122,000 miles“Concern: engine lost almost all of its power. The head was cracked, and the #4 cylinder was missing one of the 2 compression rings. Car was in shop for over 40 days. Correction: waited 30 days for parts, entire engine, exhaust system, and intake were replaced. Car still runs horrible, and now the transmission does not like to shift when it is cold. The car over heated and possibly causing a fire”
NHTSA complaint #10110307, filed 2005-02, 3,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 21% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 6 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Sentra
48 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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