2017 Nissan Sentra Safety Report
2017 NISSAN SENTRA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Nissan Sentra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (223) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 33 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Nissan Sentra with 121 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Nissan Sentra before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Sentra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Sentra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Sentra | 181 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | 263 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Nissan Sentra | 213 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Sentra | 342 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Sentra | 193 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Sentra | 121 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Nissan Sentra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Nissan Sentra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
45 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyEngine
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyExterior Lighting
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
Reliability Score
The 2017 Nissan Sentra receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Nissan Sentra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags Recalled for potential airbag deployment without collision. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Recalled for ignition issues that can prevent the vehicle from starting. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Multiple reports of transmission failures leading to sudden loss of power and jerking motions. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Recalled for brake light switch issues that can cause brake lights to malfunction. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Nissan Sentra:
Transmission problems are the most common issue, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Airbag issues are reported in 19% of vehicles.
Electrical system problems are reported in 10% of vehicles.
Exterior lighting issues are reported in 9% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Nissan Sentra by NHTSA:
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Consequence: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Nissan Sentra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Nissan Sentra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
When driving in the highway my hood opened up it hand unhinged on its own.
CVT transmission losing power
My 2017 Nissan Sentra is experiencing CVT transmission problems. The vehicle hesitates when accelerating, slips between gears, and sometimes loses power while driving. This creates a dangerous situation when entering traffic or driving at highway speeds. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs, but they stated there was nothing they could do because the vehicle is slightly over the 84,000-mile extend...
CVT failed after only 94K miles.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff. The contact stated that the message "Put Foot on Brake Pedal" was displayed. While standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle started. The failure recurred while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicl...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer indicated that the mileage was 92,000. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact's wife purchased the Carfax report and stated that the odometer reading was 179,070 on April 22, 2025.
The fabric drivers side seat belt is frayed. At least 1/2 of the width of the fabric is not intact. The warranty on the seat belt is 120 months and the dealer said it is not covered by the warranty. No incident has occurred yet, but I am concerned for my safety in the event of an accident. The car has 32,073 miles on it so it is obviously a defect. The belt is available for inspection. Yes th...
Car just lost power in highway. Car starts but will barely move as pushing down on gas.
While reverse parking into a single parking space at my apartment complex, the driver-side airbag deployed unexpectedly without any collision or impact. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was moving at a low speed and there were no warning lights, messages, or alerts prior to the airbag deployment. The airbag deployment struck me in the face and right arm, creating an immediate risk of injur...
The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and coasting to the right around a curve, after completing the maneuver, the accelerator was depressed, the cruise control was set at 48 MPH, and the steering wheel was turned to the left but independently turned all the way to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a failure with the steer...
the transmission has failed with hardly any warning. Stops without warning, while driving down the road. The car will start just fine but will not rev. or respond to the accelerator. When it stops will driving, it will rev way up but will not have any power to move.
It will be investigated by my insurance company, but this is what happened. I was taking a leisurely drive on a country road. Not much for shoulders and the trees aren't cut back far enough. I was going straight. The vehicle decided to take a 45 degree turn the right. Into the trees then flipping several times before finally coming to rest. The shoulder strap failed to lock, therefore my upper bod...
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting), and the recall repair was performed. Approximately 4 years after having the recall repair completed, the traction control warning light was illuminated, and the brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer was contacte...
The 2017 Nissan Sentra is part of a recall due to significant transmission issues, including sudden loss of power and jerking motions while driving. Overview of the Recall Nissan has issued a recall for certain 2013 to 2017 Sentra models due to problems with their continuously variable transmissions (CVT). Owners have reported various issues, including: Sudden loss of power while driving, which ca...
My transmission on my 2017 Nissan Sentra failed not once but twice. I got it repaired to the tune of $4500 and then it failed again a year later and they wanted $7000. I am a single mother working very hard and this set me back TREMENDOUSLY! I have been struggling financially to keep a roof over my head because i no longer have a vehicle to get back and forth to work i am at risk of losing my job ...
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the gear shift lever was stuck on drive(D). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The co...
While driving home from work. Transmission started hesitating and not pulling up a hill. I was almost hit on the interstate due to the malfunction of the transmission. Now vehicle is parked and I can no longer drive it.
My car is an automatic 2017 with 58,000 miles. The car is having trouble shifting gears, trouble accelerating (it jerks and doesn’t speed up), leaks every fluid possible (oil, windshield wiper fluid, coolant), etc. I have taken it to two different mechanics to have a diagnostic performed (one specializing in transmission issues), both which said it was an internal transmission issue. The codes: P0...
I have called nissan usa and the nissan in newburgh to schedule an appointment for lamp switch recall and have not recieved any calls or communication back. At this point im scared that the lamp switch is affecting my transmission and I'm just getting the runaround from nissan so they don't have to take care of it. My car has episodes where is now doesn't start and I need to get a jump. My car als...
Intermittent ignition switch failure. Presents as little to no power. Vehicle will not crank over. Minimal lights come on dash board, no digital readout, dim lights inside vehicle. Eventually car starts with no problem after several tries. I have excluded battery, alternator, grounding issues, wiring issues, fuses. This is similar to a recall issued for other Nissan Sentras made in the same year.
Showing 20 of 223 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Nissan Sentra
Has the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA have?
The 2017 NISSAN SENTRA has 223 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 27 involved crashes. 21 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2017 NISSAN SENTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA involve power train (45 complaints), unknown or other (19 complaints), air bags (19 complaints). Other affected components include engine, electrical system, exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 27 crash reports associated with the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA out of 223 total complaints (12.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA out of 223 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
21 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 223 complaints, 3 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (45 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (19 complaints), 4. ENGINE (13 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 45 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
Be cautious of transmission failures and airbag issues. Check for recalls and consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2017 NISSAN SENTRA has 223 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2017 NISSAN SENTRA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 223 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 33 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA?
Known issues with the 2017 NISSAN SENTRA include: Airbags, Electrical System, Transmission, Exterior Lighting. These are based on patterns found across 223 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Yes, there are recalls for airbags, electrical system, and exterior lighting issues.
What are the common transmission problems?
Transmission failures can cause sudden power loss and jerking motions while driving.
Are there any known issues with the odometer?
Yes, there have been reports of odometer fraud with some vehicles.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission failures and airbag issues. Check for recalls and consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Nissan Sentra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Nissan Sentra. The data includes 223 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 27 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 21 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Nissan Sentra an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16