Federal safety advisory

Do not drive this vehicle until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2003 Nissan Sentra

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 241 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V747000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 3,930
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-12-01
Owners notified: 2021-01-22

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 307,962
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-01-09
Owners notified: 2020-02-12

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V287000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 1,090,569
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-15
Owners notified: 2015-06-15

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V242000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 294,166
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-07-07
Owners notified: 2006-09-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Safety risk

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V511000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 70
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-10
Owners notified: 2003-12-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V455000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 630,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-17
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V477000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 276,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-14
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.

Safety risk

IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling	53	70,459 mi
Electrical system	25	75,000 mi
Engine	24	103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	17	62,000 mi
Air bags	12	115,684 mi
Unknown or other	10	66,956 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	7	140,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	76,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition	5	17,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	5	69,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	5	79,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	4	25,000 mi
Power train	4	76,500 mi
Structure: body	4	62,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	3	—
Fuel system, gasoline	3	43,653 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	3	32,880 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	5,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	2	32,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	63,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	69,321 mi
Structure	2	30,400 mi
Suspension	2	62,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	2	3,500 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	44,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	15,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	29,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk	1	29,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	48,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	29,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	17,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	39,634 mi
Equipment	1	127,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer	1	63,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	14,130 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	8,600 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	29,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	14,130 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	13,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	3,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	8,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	14 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	44,000 mi
Seats	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Steering	1	52,654 mi
Steering: column	1	1,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	—
Structure: body: door	1	100 mi
Suspension: front	1	4,900 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	—

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.