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Nissan Sentra 2003

The 2003 Nissan Sentra has a 1.8 L engine. It gets 27 MPG combined (24 city, 32 highway), per the EPA. 10 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Compact Cars Front-wheel (FWD)
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Nissan Sentra
Representative photo of the Sentra. It may show a different year or version. Photo: Deathpallie325 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
1,800 cc
4
Cylinders4
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,510 × 1,710 × 1,410 mm (177.6 × 67.3 × 55.5 in)
Wheelbase2,530 mm (99.6 in)
Curb weight1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
Body styleCompact Cars

Dimensions and weight: median of the 2 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
24 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Emissions
205 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

10 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 22E066000 · 2022-08-09 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 20V747000 · 2020-12-01 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 20V008000 · 2020-01-09 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

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.

AIR BAGS 15V287000 · 2015-05-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 09E025000 · 2009-05-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E064000 · 2006-07-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 06V242000 · 2006-07-07 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 03V511000 · 2003-12-10 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 03V455000 · 2003-11-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE 03V477000 · 2003-11-14 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2026-03-04 · NHTSA

My rear windshield make a loud bang, and shattered and fell into pieces during a short and otherwise non-eventful commute to work. I had no knowledge of prior cracks or damage, or being hit with anything. There was a light frost that morning and I had used the rear defrost for a short time. It was not exceptionally…

ENGINE 2024-06-11 · NHTSA

Both my catalytic converters stopped up st same time.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2022-07-18 · NHTSA

The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .

AIR BAGS 2021-05-27 · NHTSA

2003 NIssan Sentra. Consumer writes in regards to Airbag Safety Recall. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE LENGTHY REPAIR.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2020-01-14 · NHTSA

FLOOR MAT HOLDER BROKE, FLOOR MAT SLIDES UP UNDER GAS PEDAL, CAUSING U.N. CONTROLLED ACCELERATION MULTIPLE TIMES

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-11-25 · NHTSA

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF FROM A LOW GEAR TO A VERY HIGH GEAR, LEAVING ME WITH NO TORQUE. THE NEXT GEAR WOULDNT LOCK-IN UNTIL RPMS HIT REDLINE, AND EVEN THEN IT WOULD FEEL LIKE ITS SLIPPING, OR MAYBE ITS IN OVERDRIVE GEAR(4TH) WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 3RD.. AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN UNT…

POWER TRAIN 2019-09-17 · NHTSA

THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR IS MESSED UP AND KEEPS TURNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR P0444 AND HAD A SHOP CHECK IT AND REPLACE THE PART AND IT'S STILL COMING ON. IT WIL TRIP THE CODE SITTING IN NEUTRAL AND OR DRIVING LESS THEN 5 MILES.

AIR BAGS 2019-05-09 · NHTSA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEALER NEARBY TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL B…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-02-17 · NHTSA

CAR WAS PARKED REFUELING . WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND IT KEPT SHUTTING PUMP OFF AND WAS LEAKING OUT UNDER THE CAR . ENGINE LIGHT IS CURRENTLY STAYING ON

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-02-16 · NHTSA

VENT CONTROL VALVE/EVAP CANISTER I CAN NOT PUT GAS IN MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WHEN I TRY IT POURS OUT ON THE GROUND AND TAKES 15-20 MINUTES TO PUT MABE 50 CENTS OF GAS IN CAR . MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2018-04-30 · NHTSA

CAR WON'T START DRIVE IT ALL DAY FRIDAY AND IT WAS FINE WENT TO START IT ON SATURDAY WOULDN'T START

AIR BAGS 2018-04-02 · NHTSA

TAKATA RECALL , I GOT A RECALL LETTER FOR MY NISSAN SENTRA CAR

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have?
The 2003 Nissan Sentra has a 1.8 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Nissan Sentra?
It gets 27 MPG combined (24 city, 32 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have recalls?
10 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Air Bags (2022-08-09).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Nissan Sentra?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Engine.

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