How Long Do Nissan Sentras Last? (Miles & Years)

Do you like taking your car on a road trip? The Nissan Sentra’s cargo space is large to fit all your holiday luggage.

Likewise, its smooth handling keeps the vehicle from unsettling passengers on bumpy roads.

This article highlights important facts about the durability of the Nissan Sentra.

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Here’s the short answer to how long the Nissan Sentra lasts:

You can expect your Nissan Sentra to last over 250,000 miles. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, you can get about 16 years of headache-free service from this dependable sedan. Getting such eye-watering mileage requires consistent maintenance and careful usage.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Nissan Sentra?

Your Nissan Sentra should last for about 250,000–300,000 miles. That said, careless driving may reduce the lifespan of the Nissan Sentra. Many of the vehicle’s major components tend to wear out quickly when exposed to rough usage.

In addition, regular maintenance can help your Nissan last longer. You should service your vehicle every 5,000–6,000 miles.

A complete maintenance session comprises tire rotation, filter replacement, and oil change. Remember not to push the vehicle beyond its limit if you want to prolong its longevity.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Nissan Sentra?

Reports from Nissan Sentra users suggest it takes about 5–10 years for rust to appear on the car. Usually, the vehicle starts rusting from its underside or taillight before the corrosion spreads.

That said, Nissan Sentra drivers who live in snowy areas may find their cars rusting faster than usual. Salt from the snow accumulates on the exterior and interior parts of the vehicle, thus inducing rust in the car.

Spraying self-etching primer on the affected area will delay the spread of rust. Another way to reduce rust in your car is to add epoxy to the surface where the corrosion has appeared.

rusty spots on the car – close-up rust spot car

You can prevent your Nissan Sentra from rusting by thoroughly washing and waxing the car. Since water and dirt also spread to the engine, you may open the hood and clean the engine while washing the vehicle.

How Long Do Nissan Sentras Last Compared to Similar Cars?

Are you confused about what compact sedan to buy? Comparing the durability of cars in the category may make your decision easier.

With its large luggage compartment and excellent handling, the Nissan Sentra is worth considering among other sedans.

We compare the Nissan Sentra against similar vehicles to determine its relative longevity:

Nissan Sentra vs Hyundai Elantra

Nissan Sentras often have a higher longevity than Hyundai Elantras. Even with regular maintenance, your Hyundai Elantra may stop working after hitting the 250,000-mile mark. In contrast, Nissan Sentra drivers who strictly observe their service schedule may use their car for over 300,000 miles.

Nissan Sentra vs Volkswagen Jetta

You can expect your Nissan Sentra to last longer than a Volkswagen Jetta. The average Nissan Sentra can travel for 250,000 miles before a final breakdown. Most Volkswagen Jettas last for an average of 200,000 miles.

Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corollas often have the same lifespan as Nissan Sentras. Several Toyota Corolla users claim their vehicle has lasted for about 300,000 miles. Likewise, the Nissan Sentra can survive for 300,000 miles.

The comparison above shows the Nissan Sentra shares almost the same, or better, longevity with other vehicles in its class.

How Reliable Is the Nissan Sentra?

Judging from ratings across several car authorities, the Nissan Sentra seems to be fairly reliable. For example, in reliability, J.D. Power ranked both the 2020 and 2021 versions of the Nissan Sentra model 84/100 and 85/100, respectively.

Likewise, the car got a 4/5 reliability rating from RepairPal. The car’s lowest reliability rating was from Consumer Reports, a 3/5 ranking.

The Best and Worst Model Years for Nissan Sentras

2021 is the best model year for the Nissan Sentra.

This vehicle has the highest reliability rating across all Nissan Sentra model years. For example, the model got an 85% reliability rating from J.D. Power, as compared to 84% for the 2020 version.

We have a full list here of the best and worst years for Nissan Sentra.

In addition, the 2021 Nissan Sentra has more infotainment options than previous model years. Nissan made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard in all 2021 Nissan Sentra trim levels. The automaker also added a Wi-Fi Hotspot in this model year, allowing users to access the internet via their infotainment system.

The worst model year for the Nissan Sentra is the 2014 Nissan Sentra. According to carcomplaints.com, this model year has the highest occurrences of transmission failure, the most severe problem on the Nissan Sentra.

2014 Nissan Sentra users claim that the CVT transmission breaks down prematurely with no prior problems in the vehicle. The typical 2014 Nissan Sentra driver only uses their original CVT transmission for about six months.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Data from arfc.org shows Nissan has recalled the Sentra 96 times, accounting for 10.5% of all recall actions for the car maker. With 9, 8, and 7 recalls respectively, the 2002, 2013 and 2014 model years seem to have the highest recalls, so do your due diligence before purchasing vehicles from that period.

The 2001 and 2000 model years also have 7 and 6 recalls, respectively, while the 2016 Nissan Sentra has 6 recalls. Most of the recall actions are related to issues with the airbags, engine and engine cooling system, seat belts, ignition, exterior lighting, cables, and hydraulics, among others.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra has received only one recall to date. In June 2021, Nissan recalled the vehicle because of its bent tie rod. This bent tie rod may lead to a loss of steering control while the car is moving.

Nissan Sentra Model Years

Here’s a list of the model years for the Nissan Sentra:

1982 Nissan Sentra
1983 Nissan Sentra
1984 Nissan Sentra
1985 Nissan Sentra
1986 Nissan Sentra
1987 Nissan Sentra
1988 Nissan Sentra
1989 Nissan Sentra
1990 Nissan Sentra
1991 Nissan Sentra
1992 Nissan Sentra
1993 Nissan Sentra
1994 Nissan Sentra
1995 Nissan Sentra
1996 Nissan Sentra
1997 Nissan Sentra
1998 Nissan Sentra
1999 Nissan Sentra
2000 Nissan Sentra
2001 Nissan Sentra
2002 Nissan Sentra
2003 Nissan Sentra
2004 Nissan Sentra
2005 Nissan Sentra
2006 Nissan Sentra
2007 Nissan Sentra
2008 Nissan Sentra
2009 Nissan Sentra
2010 Nissan Sentra
2011 Nissan Sentra
2012 Nissan Sentra
2013 Nissan Sentra
2014 Nissan Sentra
2015 Nissan Sentra
2016 Nissan Sentra
2017 Nissan Sentra
2018 Nissan Sentra
2019 Nissan Sentra
2020 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra

Are Nissan Sentras Expensive to Maintain?

The Nissan Sentra has a cheap maintenance cost. According to RepairPal.com, it costs $526 per year to service an average compact sedan. However, annual maintenance of the Nissan Sentra only requires about $491.

How Long Do Nissan Sentra Brake Pads Last?

The average lifespan for Nissan Sentra brake pads is between 30,000 to 70,000 miles. That said, Nissan Sentra drivers who often drive in heavy traffic may have less durable brake pads.

These drivers may need to apply their brake pads several times within a single trip. Using your brake pads too often may shorten their longevity rate.

How Long Do Nissan Sentra Tires Last?

Most Nissan Sentra tires last between 20,000 and 60,000 miles. Frequent tire maintenance, including tire rotation and wheel alignment, can increase their longevity. Nissan Sentra users who drive their vehicles carefully are more likely to use their tires for a longer period.

How Long Do Nissan Sentra Transmissions Last?

Usually, Nissan Sentra transmissions can last for 200,000 to 300,000 miles. Just like their transmissions, most Nissan Sentra cars last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

This means that you may never have to change your transmission throughout the lifetime of your vehicle if you maintain it frequently. Taking care of your Nissan Sentra transmissions requires that you replace the transmission fluid at every 90,000-mile interval.

In addition, there are some cases of Nissan Sentra transmissions that stop working after 100,000 miles. These situations are most common in 2014 Nissan Sentras. So, you may want to avoid buying 2014 Nissan Sentra cars.

How Long Do Nissan Sentra Spark Plugs?

You can expect your Nissan Sentra spark plugs to last between 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Most auto repairers inspect the spark plugs during each service session and replace them if need be. So, you may not have to worry about changing them.

Nevertheless, it’s best to know their lifespan to prevent your vehicle from breaking down because of a faulty spark plug. Nissan Sentra spark plugs tend to affect the overall performance of a car once they develop an issue. This is why it’s best to change them before they reach the end of their lifespan.

What About Insurance of Nissan Sentra?

It costs an average of $1,300 annually for a Nissan Sentra coverage policy, according to Moneygeek. That said, certain factors may attract an increase or reduction in a typical Nissan Sentra insurance premium. These factors are driving record, location, age, and gender.

Gender: Most insurers offer Nissan Sentra coverage policies to women at cheaper costs than their male counterparts. This is often because women tend to drive more safely than men.
Driving Record: Are you a Nissan Sentra user with several accidents on your driving record? Then, your insurance premium will probably be more expensive than a Nissan Sentra user with a clean driving record.
Age: Car insurance for older drivers often costs less than coverage policies for young people. Usually, teenagers pay the highest car insurance premiums across all age groups because of their lack of driving experience.
Location: Nissan Sentra coverage policyholders who stay in low crime areas pay low insurance premiums and enjoy discounts on their policies. In contrast, living in a place with a high crime rate may attract car insurance premium spikes.

Tips To Prolong the Lifespan of Your Nissan Sentra

Here are tips to help you get the most out of your Nissan Sentra:

Avoid aggressive driving.
Observe your maintenance schedule strictly.
When Nissan issues a recall for your Sentra, deliver your vehicle to a dealer at the soonest possible time.
Perform all your short-term errands in one trip.
Wash and wax the exterior of your Nissan Sentra regularly to prevent rust.
Replace your oil filters about 2–4 times a year. This will delay rusting in your engine, which can occur because of dirt in the oil filters.

Sources

Nissan Sentra Reliability | RepairPal

Nissan Sentra | carcomplaints.com

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