Fewer complaints and far less paperwork than the 2016, but the same transmission and the same expired coverage — the test drive is still the whole decision.

Several 2017 complaints are owners writing in after being told by a dealer that their transmission problem is not covered. One complaint asserts outright that "the 2017 Nissan Sentra is part of a recall due to significant transmission issues." It is not. Across every Sentra model year, NHTSA's recall database contains no CVT campaign of any kind. This matters when you are buying, because a clean VIN recall report tells you nothing about the transmission, and a seller pointing at a clean report is not telling you what they think they are telling you. The only transmission help Nissan ever offered on this car was the class-action warranty extension, which is time-and-mileage limited and has expired here.

Recall 21V135 covers all 2016–2019 Sentras — 807,376 vehicles, the largest campaign touching this car. The brake-light switch can become contaminated so the circuit never closes and the brake lights do not illuminate when you press the pedal, leaving drivers behind you with no warning that you are slowing. The fix is free: dealers replace the switch and fit a protective grommet. Nissan's internal code is PM971 and owner letters went out on 1 July 2022, so plenty of these cars changed hands before the notice landed. Have someone watch the lights while you press the pedal, then verify the VIN.

Recall 18V551 applies to 2017 Sentras with a mechanical key ignition rather than push-button start. Over time, the weight hanging on your key ring plus a rough road or a knock can push the ignition switch out of the RUN position into ACCESSORY, shutting the engine off while the car is moving. Dealers inspect the switch's production information and replace it if necessary, free of charge. If the car you are looking at has a physical key, this one applies; take everything else off the key ring until it is confirmed done.

Recall 17V253 covers a manufacturing error inside the front passenger airbag inflator on 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentras, which can stop the airbag deploying properly in a crash. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge; the campaign began 7 June 2017. Straightforward VIN check.

2017 is the first year of the Sentra SR Turbo and the Sentra NISMO, both of which use a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine rather than the standard 1.8. Nissan issued a turbocharger service bulletin covering the 2017 Sentra with this engine alongside the 2011–2017 Juke, which shares it. That is a service bulletin, not a defect campaign, and there is no separate complaint cluster for these cars — NHTSA lists them under the base Sentra name and does not break them out. If you are looking at a turbo car, treat it as a normal small turbo: check for oil-service history, listen for a whine or rattle from the turbo at light throttle, and watch for smoke on a hard pull after idling.