MODEL
Nissan Sentra
NHTSA safety across every Nissan Sentra model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Nissan Sentra we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2023 at 93 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 78. 20 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan aimed squarely at budget-conscious commuters and first-time buyers who want a practical, fuel-efficient car without a premium price tag. Competing in one of the most crowded segments in the American market, the Sentra has undergone a significant generational refresh that brought updated styling and a more composed driving character, making it a genuine contender for shoppers prioritizing everyday value and safety.
At MotorCaliber, we look at the Sentra's safety record across the 2019 to 2025 model years, and the picture is genuinely mixed but trending positive. The best NHTSA Safety Index score we recorded is a 93 out of 100 for the 2023 model year, which lands in the Exceptional band and represents a real high-water mark for this nameplate. Crash-test geometry tells a similar story: the Sentra earns a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both side and rollover testing, though frontal protection pulls back to a respectable but not perfect 4 out of 5. That frontal result deserves attention, particularly for shoppers comparing the Sentra against compact rivals that have earned full marks across every category. The recall count of 18 across seven model years is notable and worth scrutinizing before you buy. That is not a catastrophic figure for a mainstream sedan, but it is high enough that buyers should verify any open recalls on a specific vehicle identification number through NHTSA's free lookup tool before signing paperwork. Owner complaints total 699 across covered years, with 50 alleged crash incidents and 45 reported injuries among those unverified allegations. No deaths have been reported in this dataset. The complaint volume is not alarming for a high-volume seller, but the injury-adjacent numbers reinforce the importance of confirming recall completion status. Bottom line: the 2023 Sentra earns its Exceptional rating, but shoppers should match model year carefully to safety band and clear any open recalls.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Sentra as a competent, sensibly priced compact sedan that punches above its weight in interior refinement and everyday usability for the segment. Most acknowledge it is not a driver's car, but they tend to appreciate its composed ride and improved cabin quality in the post-refresh generations. Safety technology availability on higher trims earns consistent praise.
- Safety scores vary meaningfully by model year: the 2023 Sentra reached a 93 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index in the Exceptional band, but other years in the 2019 to 2025 range land in the Strong or Average bands, so confirm the specific year's rating before buying.
- The Sentra earns a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both side-impact and rollover crash testing, but frontal protection scores 4 out of 5, which is a gap worth considering if highway commuting or head-on risk scenarios are a priority for your household.
- Eighteen recalls across seven model years is a higher-than-ideal count for a mainstream compact. Always run the vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup tool to confirm that all open recalls have been completed before purchase.
- Owner complaints include 50 alleged crash incidents and 45 reported injuries across the covered years. These are unverified allegations, but the numbers are a reminder to review the complaint database for your specific model year to spot any patterns relevant to your decision.
Most-recalled year on record: 2025 Nissan Sentra with 4 recalls.