2017 Nissan SENTRA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Nissan SENTRA has 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 285. The most common issue is transmission problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: car is dangerously slow to accelerate when attempting to merge onto a freeway or a busy street. even with flooring the accelerator, vehicle will not move past 40mph for about 5-8 seconds, which in driving, is a large amount of time, especially merging onto the freeway.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.
339
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
76 complaints- • CAR IS DANGEROUSLY SLOW TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. EVEN WITH FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE PAST 40MPH FOR ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS, WHICH IN DRIVING, IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY.
- • THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY TO 2ND, 4, AND 5TH GEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG MY VEHICLE MAKES. I STILL DON'T SEE A RECALL FOR IT AND HE SAID THEY WON'T FIX IT UNTIL THEN. CAN WE GET THIS BALL ROLLING
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE
“CAR IS DANGEROUSLY SLOW TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. EVEN WITH FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE PAST 40MPH FOR ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS, WHICH IN DRIVING, IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Nissan SENTRA
Based on 154 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
OTHER
SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAGS
STEERING
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Above-average theft risk
The Nissan SENTRA was the #21 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Common budget sedan
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Nissan SENTRA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Nissan SENTRA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan SENTRA Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2017 SENTRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 339 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: CAR IS DANGEROUSLY SLOW TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. EVEN WITH FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE PAST 40MPH FOR ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS, WHICH IN DRIVING, IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNITED NISSAN (3025 E SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104 (702) 832-5480), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: NISSAN SENTRA 2017 THE GEAR JAMS WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE, DRIVE, AND BACKING UP FROM DRIVE WAY. VEHICLE HAS A VERY SLOW TAKE OFF UNTILL YOU PICK UP SPEED AT 40 MPH. BUT NOT ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS UP CARS,TRUCKS IN ENOUGH TIME AND THAT IS STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE BOTTOM.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: CAR IS DANGEROUSLY SLOW TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. EVEN WITH FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE PAST 40MPH FOR ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS, WHICH IN DRIVING, IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan SENTRA — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 339
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 7
- Crash reports
- 31
- Injury reports
- 25
- Segment avg
- 285
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Nissan SENTRA