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2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Manual

The 2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Manual is a 165-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual w/overdrive and front-wheel drive. It starts at $16,990 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

It makes 165 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

The Sentra measures 177.5 inches long on a 99.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,731 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$16,990 ($28,273 *)
Engine
Engine TypeI4
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower165 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque175 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual w/Overdrive
1st Gear3.15
2nd Gear1.84
3rd Gear1.26
4th Gear0.95
5th Gear0.73
Final Drive4.13
Fuel Economy
City24 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Tank Capacity13.2 gal
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.0 x 0.87 in
Rear Brake Disc9.13 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 x 6.0 in
Wheels Rear16 x 6.0 in
Tires FrontP195/55HR16
Tires RearP195/55HR16
Dimensions & Weight
Length177.5 in
Width67.3 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase99.8 in
Front Track58.3 in
Rear Track57.5 in
Cargo Volume11.6 ft³
Curb Weight2,731 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear37 in
Legroom Front41.6 in
Legroom Rear33.7 in
Shoulder Room Front52.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.6 in
Hip Room Front52.1 in
Hip Room Rear52.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2005 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan SENTRA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 9, 2022 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

NHTSA campaign 22E066000

Dec 1, 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V747000

Jan 9, 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V008000

May 15, 2015 · AIR BAGS

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15V287000

Nov 14, 2007 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 07V527000

Jun 7, 2005 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR HOSE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FORMED CORRECTLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH A FULL FUEL TANK, FUEL MAY FLOW INTO THE VAPOR HOSE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A VAPOR CANISTER.

Consequence: THE VAPOR CANISTER COULD BECOME FULL, AND EXCESS FUEL COULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VAPOR HOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF A POOR SEAL EXISTS. IF A POOR SEAL IS IDENTIFIED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 05V269000

170 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan SENTRA

Owner Complaints

170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan SENTRA (13 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling48
Engine33
Fuel System22
Air Bags21
Gasoline21
Electrical System17
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 27, 2025 · Suspension, Unknown Or Other, Service Brakes
“I purchased a 2005 Nissan Sentra on [XXX] from TMZ Auto Sales. The front passenger and driver side calipers, rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, front driver side hub bearings and knuckle hook up, were…”
Mar 1, 2023 · Air Bags
“Nissan Dealer locally will not repair my vehicle as per the recall for my air bags. Have driven out of town to a Nissan dealer and they said they did not have the part in stock and could not fix it. I…”
Jul 27, 2021 · Vehicle Speed Control
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30-35 mph, the vehicle revved up and accelerated without warning. The contact downshifted to slow the vehicle. The local dealer…”
Jul 16, 2021 · Air Bags
“I had an appointment for 10am I called ahead to confirm the estimated amount of time I was told it would take 2-4 hours. When I arrived they refused to service my vehicle they claimed they we're busy…”
Apr 30, 2021 · Air Bags Crash Fire 2 injuries
“I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR BUT HAD STOPPED TO LET TRAFFIC BY (IN A TURN LANE) WHEN AN ONCOMING TRUCK BARRELLED TOWARD ME & HIT ME HEAD-ON, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. HIS TRUCK BENT IN THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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