10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,479 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Sentra steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments

problem #15

Sep 172018

Sentra

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A few months ago while trying to parallel park into a tight space I had to cut my steering wheel all the way to the left and the car shut off, when I released steering wheel the car turned back on, same thing happened when I turned the steering wheel all the way to right. Most recently I was making a K-turn and my car kept shutting off on me no matter how much or little I was turning it. I was literally stuck in the middle of the street creating a traffic jam. It took me approximately 10, minutes to make a K-turn

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #14

Mar 122016

Sentra

  • 45,000 miles
I could not controlled the steering wheel.it was not correlation between the steering wheel and the car. Triking a rock on the side of the road. Total loss. Luckly was fine because of low speed.

- Milford, MA, USA

problem #13

Sep 102014

Sentra

  • 70,000 miles
When my car was coming to a stop, my knee hit the ignition key. The engine turned off though the car gear selector was in "D". the steering also was locked. Fortunately I was stopping the car at the signal. If this happened on the freeway, my family would have been at risk. I understand there was recalls related to this type of situation but Nissan never got in touch with me nor there is no recall. This is very dangerous and Nissan needs to do a recall to save the car driver and passengers.

- Springfield, PA, USA

problem #12

May 172014

Sentra

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph over a bump, the steering wheel began to jerk violently. The vehicle hydroplaned, flipped over and landed on the roof. The air bags failed to deploy aside from the massive impact. A police report was filed. The rear passenger suffered from minor injuries to the head and the front seat passenger sustained bruises to the right leg. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Henderson, TN, USA

problem #11

May 142013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
Vehicle was parked in parking lot. Steering wheel was locked and wheels were straight. Car was attempted to start more then 10 times. A flashing reg car with a key icon light was active on the dash. According to the owners manual the ignition system was locked out and had to be reset by the dealer. Car was towed to the repairing dealer. Dealer said key and internal chip were bad and had to be replaced. Took tech 30 minutes just to get steering unlocked. New keys were made and car still did not start. Dealer said body control module (BCM) had to be replaced as it was blown, even though other systems controlled by BCM were operational. Repair was 1,200. Filed a complaint with Nissan and their customer relations department said it was not a common part that had to be replaced.

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

problem #10

Oct 252011

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The power steering light will remain light and the power steering will not work. If the power steering light turns off, there are several loud clunking noises and the steering feels as if the wheels have hit something when turned. This is a persistent problem and has been occurring for quite some time and keeps getting worse. I believe there is a tsb already on this issue.

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

problem #9

Mar 282012

Sentra

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had many trips to the dealer after purchasing a 08 Sentra for problems with the tire pressure light as well as a popping in the wheels. I went to the dealer and they turned the pressure light off and said it was fine. It has happened more then 7 times. The tires were worn out by 30K miles I coudn't believe I had to replace them already. I aslo had the popping noise in the tires I took it to the dealer 4 times and they said nothing was wrong. I moved to a different state and took it for an oil change and they asked me if I had heard a noise in the tires. To my surprise I explained that I had heard it for a long time but the dealer told me it was nothing! the oil change place told me that the top strut mounts were seized causing the springs to bind. Now I would have had to pay over $1100 to replace them. I luckily have ext warranty that covers it for $50. I also have been told to replace brakes soon as well as the pressure valves in the tires. Is this all related to the dealers failure to diagnose the issue and now this has caused multiple issues at 30K miles"? or can this be a manufacturing issue with faulty equipment" please look in to this thanks

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #8

Jun 102011

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
I bought my daughter a 2008 Nissan Sentra for christmas (2010). This morning (11 June 2011) I took my 16 year old daughter out to learn how to parallel park at the dmv. As she was backing up to park she said she could not turn the steering wheel. I tried to turn the steering wheel and noticed a ps light on the dash board. I took over and tried to maneuver the car and it was almost impossible. I then turned the car off and open the hood to determine the problem but saw no visual defects. I then got back in the car, started it up and the ps light was gone and the power steering was working again. When we got home I looked on the internet to see if there was a recall and found many complaints on the steering of the Sentra but no recall. I called the dealership and they told me I would have to pay for it because there is no recall for the Sentra only the Nissan xterra and frontier have been recalled. I bought a Nissan about 20 years ago and had the best experience with my vehicle and put my trust in them to ensure my daughter had the best and safest vehicle on the road but little did I know they no longer are in the business of preserving human life and customer service. My daughter could have been alone on a major highway in that vehicle when it stopped working and caused a fatal accident for many people but no one is concerned about human life anymore it's all about profit. Now I've got to find my daughter another vehicle because I've lost all confidence in the integrity of the Nissan company. I'd rather take a loss of money then a loss of life. Thanks Nissan.

- Tx, TX, USA

problem #7

Feb 012011

Sentra

  • miles
I bought my Nissan Sentra ser in June 2008. I replaced my tires in October 2010. Beginning at 25,000 miles my car isn't steering or driving the way it used to. I thought the alignment was off and it was slightly. One place tells me it's the wear of my tires, another place says it's my toe and suspension, the dealer ship doesn't see any problems. I have taken my car in now to 4 different place about 6-7 times now. Last week I was at the Nissan dealership where I bought my car and I drove the car and so did the mechanic that worked on my car. He said "maybe it's the driver that's the issue." I was insulted and after years of driving I know when my car is driving funny. Still till this day, when I drive my car at high speeds I feel like I'm going to lose control. Especially on express ways in the car I feel like it is a windy day and my car will decide to either go to the left or go to the right. I don't feel it so much when I first start driving but after 10 minutes on the same road. There needs to be a recall on this. I have spent so much money and the problem still is not fixed. I've searched online and in discussion sites people are having the same issue. It's after 25,000 miles are driven. The problem is so bad I want to trade in my car.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #6

Nov 122010

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 43,336 miles
On Friday morning, November 12, 2010, I started my 2008 Nissan Sentra. When backing out of the parking space, my power steering light came on and the steering wheel was hard to turn. I pulled back in the parking space and turned the car off. I waited a few minutes and turned the car back on. The power steering light was off and I was able to back up, then drive like normal. I took it to the dealer on Saturday, November 13, 2010 and after a "diagnostic test", they informed me that the steering column was bad and needed to be replaced for $1250. It was not going to be covered under warranty because the car has 43,000 miles on it, even though it is only 2 years old. I started doing research and found that on November 11, 2010, Nissan put a recall out on their frontier and xterra over safety concerns in the steering column. Needless to say, my Sentra is at the dealer awaiting the replacement parts. Absolutely unbelievable.

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #5

Apr 162009

Sentra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For a year or so my steering has begun to shake and make a clicking sound, especially while going down a hill and applying the brakes. At first I thought it was my brakes, and I took the car to my mechanic. However, after an inspection of the entire vehicle, my car received a clean bill of health. Even the brakes were in great condition. The mechanic did witness my complaint while road testing the vehicle and informed me that it seems to be a design flaw in my steering column. He offered to order parts and replace the damaged component, but my car is not even three years old! the clicking can also be heard when the car is in park and you just turn the wheel from side to side. The clicking was barely noticeable at first, but after about six months it became progressively worse. Now it is loud enough and my wheel shakes so badly that my passengers ask me what is wrong with my car. Something is just not right.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #4

Mar 042010

Sentra

  • 20,000 miles
2008 Sentra, 23,000 miles with new tires and you are always fighting the steering. Around town it is extremely aggravating to continually feel back pressure and bouncing in response to your every move. Generally it wants to fight towards center but is confused by minor wheel movement. At highway speeds it is scary, unstable and unsafe. Slight wheel movement during straight line freeway driving is always met with over compensation back towards center. You can feel the rear end whip when this occurs. The dealer says they have had no complaints. Hopefully there will be some adjustment or resolution soon.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #3

Mar 132010

Sentra

  • 26,000 miles
The steering of this car needs constant correction. It's like it cannot drive a straight 1 mile line. If the car drifts to the left, I turn briefly and slightly right but the car will then go right. I then turn slightly left but the car will continue to go left until I correct it again. It's like it cannot keep a straight line. It is dangerously sensitive to the shape of the road. I need to make corrections every few seconds. The severity of the problem depends on the road, mostly observable at highway speeds. I believe that 5-7 seconds of no correction would be enough to cross into another lane causing a crash.

- Clemson, SC, USA

problem #2

Dec 172008

Sentra

  • 7,000 miles
Power steering failure. Drove car and then parked. Returned to car and upon starting noticed that the power steering failure light was on and had no power steering when driving. (system is electric power steering) drove car to dealer with no power steering. Following day, when dealer attempted to perform corrective service and diagnose problem the power steering is working. Therefore they have released the vehicle as not having any service problem. I have no confidence that the problem will not occur again and potentially cause an accident.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #1

Sep 012008

Sentra

  • 1,856 miles
Steering is drifting.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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