TransmissionCritical
CVT overheating, whine and failure.
- Typically appears
- 60,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Test-drive for shudder/whine; check for prior CVT work.
- Typical repair
- Head gasket / cooling system repair · £900–£2,600
Is the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
3.8/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the Nissan Sentra rates 3.8 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 1 of them are rated critical and 2 high, so a bad example can be expensive. The weak points cluster around transmission, engine and interior. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Walk unless the history is spotless
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 1
- High
- 2
- Medium
- 3
- Low
- 2
Weak points cluster around transmission, engine, interior, electrical.
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Check this carThe faults that decide it
Safety / SRSHigh
The SRS airbag warning light remains illuminated on the instrument binnacle due to a faulty Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor.
- Typically appears
- 30,000-60,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Turn the ignition on and observe the dashboard warning lights. Check if the passenger airbag status indicator behaves erratically when firm pressure is applied to the front passenger seat squab.
- Typical repair
- Electrical diagnosis & module repair · £120–£900
Cooling SystemHigh
The air conditioning blows warm when stationary, or the engine temperature gauge rises at idle due to cooling fan motor failure.
- Typically appears
- 60,000-90,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Start the engine, switch the air conditioning to its coldest setting, and pop the bonnet. Verify that both electric cooling fans behind the radiator are spinning continuously without excessive vibration.
- Typical repair
- Cooling component replacement · £220–£750
EngineMedium
Timing chain rattle on the 1.8L.
- Typically appears
- 90,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Listen for a rattle on cold start.
- Typical repair
- Timing chain, tensioner & guides · £900–£2,400
Electrical / StartingMedium
Engine refuses to crank via the push-button start and brake lights fail to illuminate.
- Typically appears
- 40,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Press the brake pedal and check the rear light clusters. Attempt to start the car; if the ignition powers up but the starter doesn't engage, suspect a faulty brake pedal switch.
- Typical repair
- Starting & charging parts · £150–£650
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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