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NHTSA crash test of the 2025 Nissan Sentra

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2025 Nissan Sentra Safety Ratings

The 2025 Nissan Sentra scores 88 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 4 recalls, and 25 owner complaints on file.

Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar

4Recalls
25Complaints
0Investigations
VERDICT

Four active recall campaigns temper an otherwise solid crash-test record for the 2025 Nissan Sentra. Shoppers should verify all four recall remedies are complete before purchase, but the core crash protection picture is genuinely competitive for this segment. The Sentra earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88/100, placing it in the Strong band.

The 2025 Nissan Sentra received an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, sourced from federal NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.

MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026

Among the 90 Sedans from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Nissan Sentra ranks 58 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • families prioritizing rollover safety
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
2025 Nissan Sentra safety at a glance (source: NHTSA)
NHTSA Safety Index88 / 100 (Strong)
Overall crash rating5 of 5 stars
Frontal / Side / Rollover4 / 5 / 5 stars
Rollover risk9.9%
Recalls on file4
Owner complaints25 (unverified allegations)
Class rank58 of 90 Sedans tested for 2025
Data verifiedOct 1, 2026

ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Nissan Sentra?

Four recall campaigns affect the 2025 Nissan Sentra, a notable concentration for a single model year of a mainstream compact sedan. These recalls cover the driver seat frame attachment, front left driveshaft seating, door striker hardware, and windshield glass integrity. The seat frame recall is particularly significant, as it directly impacts occupant restraint geometry and thus potential crash protection. Despite the recall activity, the 2025 Sentra achieves a Safety Index of 88 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. This score is a one-point decrease from the 2024 model's 89, with the defect record component at 12.75 out of 20 being the weakest pillar. The Sentra's crash protection is robust, scoring 65 out of a possible 70. Its avoidance technology earns a perfect 10 out of 10, reflecting the standard inclusion of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across all trims. NHTSA awarded the 2025 Sentra a 5-star overall rating, supported by maximum scores in side and rollover crash tests. This indicates strong body structure performance in controlled impact scenarios. On the available evidence, the 2025 Sentra presents with strong passive and active safety features, offset by a substantial recall record.

NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Nissan Sentra perform in crash tests?

For the 2025 model year, the Sentra achieves a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its side impact protection and rollover resistance each received the maximum 5 stars, with a rollover risk assessed at 10 percent and a dynamic tip result of No Tip. The frontal crash protection category is the sole area where the Sentra does not earn the top mark, scoring 4 out of 5 stars.

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 9.9%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20742

Index breakdown

Crash protection65/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record12.75/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?

Four recall campaigns cover the 2025 Sentra. The most structurally significant involves the driver seat frame, which may not be fully secured. A second targets the front left driveshaft, which may not be fully seated. A third addresses door strikers shared with other Nissan models. A fourth involves windshield glass that may contain visible air bubbles. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the supplied campaign data.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT26V410000

Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a driveshaft that is not fully engaged can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 30, 2026.

Reported 2026-06-26

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH26V023000

Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.

Reported 2026-01-21

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD25V807000

Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA58. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 21, 2025.

Reported 2025-11-21

SEATS25V153000

Risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA45.

Reported 2025-03-11

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA has logged 25 unverified owner complaints against the 2025 Sentra. Alleged issues cluster around Unknown or Other categories (5 reports), Tires (4), and Engine (4), followed by unverified allegations tied to Seat Belts, Power Train, and Electrical System (3 each). Five of those reports allege a crash involvement, and 3 allege injuries.

25 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

5reported crash
0reported fire
3reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsUnknown Or Other 5Tires 4Engine 4Seat Belts 3Power Train 3Electrical System 3

USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Nissan Sentra?

The 2025 Sentra has been the subject of four separate recall campaigns. Shoppers considering this model year should verify that all recall remedies have been completed by checking the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool. Specific attention should be paid to open recalls concerning the seat frame or driveshaft, as these may warrant delaying purchase until a confirmed fix is in place. The additional recalls address door strikers and the windshield.

  • The 2025 Sentra carries four active NHTSA recall campaigns, a higher-than-typical count for one model year, covering the driver seat frame attachment, front left driveshaft seating, door strikers, and windshield glass with potential air bubbles.
  • The defect record component of the Safety Index scores 12.75 out of 20 for this model year, the primary reason the 2025 Index of 88 falls one point below the 2024 figure of 89, both in the Strong band.
  • NHTSA's frontal crash rating for the 2025 Sentra is 4 out of 5 stars, the only category below maximum, while side and rollover each achieve 5 stars and rollover risk measures at 10 percent with a No Tip dynamic result.
  • Twenty-five unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA against this model year, with the most recently reported allegation dated in mid-2026, indicating the complaint record is still accumulating for this relatively new vehicle.

RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Nissan Sentra places

FAQ2025 Nissan Sentra safety questions

Was the 2025 Nissan Sentra crash-tested by NHTSA?

Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Nissan Sentra, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.

What are the 2025 Nissan Sentra crash-test star ratings?

In NHTSA testing the 2025 Nissan Sentra earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.

How many recalls does the 2025 Nissan Sentra have?

According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Nissan Sentra. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Nissan Sentra?

According to NHTSA's complaint database, 25 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Nissan Sentra. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.

READ MORE

Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.

Other Sentra years

Rivals in Sedan (2025)

Safest Sedan rivals, 2025 (NHTSA Safety Index)
VehicleNHTSA Safety IndexOverall starsRecalls
2025 Audi A4 Allroad100/100not rated0
2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback100/100not rated0
2025 Audi S4100/100not rated0
2025 Cadillac CT5100/1005 of 50
2025 Polestar 2100/1005 of 50
2025 Subaru Impreza100/1005 of 50
HOW THIS PAGE WAS MADE
  • DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20742), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Nissan Sentra 2025.
  • SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 58 of 90 in the Sedan class for 2025.
  • EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
  • VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.