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2015 Nissan Sentra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 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
S/Sv/Sr/Sl 4dr Sedan
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
33 combined · 30 city / 38 hwy
Length
182.3 in
Curb weight
2,851 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 28% better than the average 2015 midsize car (25.7 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 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 2,851 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (30 city / 38 highway), 28% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 352 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Sentra — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Sentra →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–1.8L 4-cyl
DriveFWD

Built in: Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes · Aguascalientes City, Aguascalientes

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2015 Sentra configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
S/Sv/Sr/Sl 4dr Sedan182.3 in69.3 in59.1 in106.3 in60.2 / 60.2 in2,851 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
Sentra FE1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive30 / 38 / 33+28%$2,050268
Sentra1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+25%$2,100275
Sentra1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30+17%$2,250298
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2015 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.8%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2015 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2015 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2015 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2015 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2015 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Nissan Sentra (this car)33 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★1
2015 Honda Civic44 MPG★★★★★1
2015 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2015 Toyota Camry40 MPG★★★★★1
2015 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2015 Toyota Prius50 MPG★★★★★2

Recalls (3)

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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 21, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V453000 · 6,595 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured June 9, 2015, to June 10, 2015, and 2015 Nissan Sentra and Versa Note vehicles manufactured June 5, 2015, to June 13, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the driver side front and rear doors may not fully latch. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk
A door that does not fully latch may result in the door opening while the car is moving. The distraction may increase the risk of a crash and/or a vehicle occupant may fall out of the vehicle if they are not wearing a seatbelt, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the date, lot number, and cavity code on the left front and rear door latches, and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

352Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
23Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
23Injuries reported
56,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train170
Engine69
Unknown Or Other54
Vehicle Speed Control48
Air Bags44
Electrical System25
Service Brakes17
Structure › Body13
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/04: 524/05: 124/06: 224/07: 124/08: 324/09: 124/10: 124/11: 524/12: 225/02: 425/03: 425/04: 225/05: 125/07: 325/08: 225/09: 126/01: 226/02: 126/03: 126/04: 226/06: 126/07: 326/08: 226/10: 124/0424/0724/1025/0225/0525/0926/0326/07max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Nissan Sentra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 170 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 69 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Vehicle Speed Control — 48 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 56,000 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 2015 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★★★★★3133
2020 Sentra33182.7 in★★★★★4207
2019 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★2223
2018 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★2185
2017 Sentra32182.3 in★★★★★3231
2016 Sentra33182.3 in★★★★★6270

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