DecodedCars2005 Nissan Sentra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan FWD /1.8 /1.8s/Speical Editi, 4dr Sedan FWD /Se-R/Se-R Spec V
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 177.6 in
- Curb weight
- 2,533–2,712 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2005 compact car (23.3 MPG).
Watch out for
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Nissan Sentra is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.8L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,533 lb (4dr Sedan FWD /1.8 /1.8s/Speical Editi).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 32 highway), 16% better than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan FWD /1.8 /1.8s/Speical Editi | 177.6 in | 67.3 in | 55.5 in | 99.6 in | 58.3 / 57.5 in | 2,533 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD /Se-R/Se-R Spec V | 177.6 in | 67.3 in | 55.5 in | 99.6 in | 57.5 / 56.7 in | 2,712 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | +16% | $2,500 | 329 |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +16% | $2,500 | 329 |
| Sentra | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -1% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Sentra | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | -6% | $3,050 | 404 |
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.3 MPG2005 Compact Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Nissan Sentra under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Nissan Sentra (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Toyota Corolla | 31 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2005 Honda Civic | 41 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2005 Toyota Prius | 46 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Mazda 3 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Hyundai Elantra | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Dec 1, 2020 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 20V747000 · 3,930 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · Jan 9, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 307,962 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · May 15, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V287000 · 1,090,569 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2005 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
44Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
123,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Nissan Sentra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Air Bags — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 14 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 123,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Sentra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sentra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2025 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 31 |
| 2024 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 41 |
| 2023 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2022 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 81 |
| 2021 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 132 |
| 2020 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 207 |
| 2019 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 223 |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 185 |
| 2017 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 231 |
| 2016 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 270 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →