Makes›Nissan›Sentra›2013

2013 Nissan Sentra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Nissan Sentra
Pictured: 2024 Nissan Sentra (B18) DSC 3754. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
1.8 S/1.8sv 4dr Sedan
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
33 combined · 30 city / 39 hwy
Length
182.3 in
Curb weight
2,829 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2013 midsize car (25.3 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 182 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,829 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (30 city / 39 highway), 30% better than the 2013 midsize car average of 25.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 542 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2013

  • New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 1.8L 4-cyl
  • Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 29 to 33

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Sentra →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1.8 S/1.8sv 4dr Sedan182.3 in69.3 in59.1 in106.3 in60.2 / 60.2 in2,829 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sentra1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive30 / 38 / 33+30%$2,050268
Sentra1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 33+30%$2,050273
Sentra FE1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive30 / 39 / 33+30%$2,050267
Sentra1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30+19%$2,250297
9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
9/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.3 MPG2013 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Nissan Sentra.

Similar 2013 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Nissan Sentra (this car)33 MPGNot rated6
2013 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2013 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated0
2013 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated6
2013 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated2
2013 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated0
2013 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V242000 · 645,898 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.
Risk
If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2016. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Oct 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V681000 · 919 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Electrical System › Software · Mar 25, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V138000 · 989,701 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags · Mar 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V069000 · 82,038 vehicles

Problem
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
Risk
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Mar 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V068000 · 392 vehicles

Problem
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Sentra vehicles manufactured from September 11, 2012, through October 4, 2012. Some fuel tank assemblies were not properly sealed during the manufacturing process. As a result, a small amount of gasoline may leak from the tank when it is full.
Risk
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

542Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
19Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
14Injuries reported
69,808 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train303
Engine74
Air Bags65
Unknown Or Other63
Service Brakes53
Vehicle Speed Control49
Electrical System36
Fuel/Propulsion System32
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/06: 323/07: 223/08: 123/09: 223/10: 123/11: 123/12: 224/01: 124/02: 124/03: 224/04: 124/07: 224/09: 124/11: 124/12: 325/03: 225/06: 125/10: 125/11: 125/12: 326/01: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 223/0623/0923/1224/0324/0925/0325/1126/04max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Nissan Sentra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 303 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 74 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 65 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 69,808 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Nissan Sentra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sentra years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Sentra33183.5 inNot rated00
2026 Sentra33183.5 inNot rated119
2025 Sentra34182.7 in★★★★★431
2024 Sentra34182.7 in★★★★★341
2023 Sentra33182.7 in★★★★★120
2022 Sentra33182.7 in★★★★★281
2021 Sentra33182.7 in★★★★★3132
2020 Sentra33182.7 in★★★★★4207
2019 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★2223
2018 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★2185
2017 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★3231
2016 Sentra33182.3 inNot rated6270

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →