2008 Nissan Sentra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Nissan Sentra: 3 recalls, 167 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #08V311000 · 2008 · 169,202 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to the machining irregularity by the supplier, the internal seal groove in the body of some brake master cylinders May allow for a gap in the groove contact area of the seal. This May result in brake fluid slowly leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster assembly, causing the brake warning light to illuminate.
Why it matters: If the warning lamp is ignored, one of the brake circuits on the vehicle May not operate as designed increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the master cylinder/brake booster assembly and if brake fluid leakage is detected, the master cylinder will be replaced with a new one free of charge. The recall began on August 20, 2008.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #09V431000 · 2009 · 10,586 vehicles
What's wrong: Brake fluid May leak from the master cylinder. If the amount of brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases to below the minimum level, the brake system warning indicator will illuminate as designed and the brakes will not function properly.
Why it matters: If the warning lamp is continuously ignored, one of the brake circuits on the vehicle May fail increasing stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the master cylinder brake booster assembly free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2009.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V401000 · 2010 · 7,948 vehicles
What's wrong: The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Why it matters: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on September 16, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (53): the most common themes are warning light on (13), fails to deploy (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Steering (15): the most common themes are steering problems (14), noise or vibration (2).
- Engine (15): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (3), fire / smoke (2).
The 2008 Nissan Sentra has 167 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 37 Sentra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 158). Complaints peaked in 2009 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 67,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (154 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (55 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Nissan Sentra.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan Sentra problems?
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (53), transmission & drivetrain (20), steering (15).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Sentra get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Nissan Sentra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.