The 2009 Nissan Sentra lasts around 250,000 miles with only some minor oil consumption and brake noise issues. At $4,674 to $7,743, it’s a good value for one of the best years of the Sentra.
Is the 2009 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2009 is a good year for the Sentra. Owner reviews praise the reliable engine, spacious cabin, and overall efficiency.
- Interior quality is average for a compact car. There’s a lot of plastic used in the cabin, the fabric is reasonably durable, and the infotainment is very basic.
- Reliability ratings are average. Models from 2009-2010 are good choices, and avoid the transmission problems on the 2011–2015
- Performance is average from the entry-level engine, but the largest motor offers good power for a compact car.
- The 2009 Nissan Sentra is a safe compact car getting a perfect 5-star rating overall, with the lowest score being 4-stars in the rear passenger crash test.
- Fuel economy is average for a small sedan, getting around 29 MPG, which should let owners drive about 420 miles with the 14.5 gallon gas tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Sentra?
- Consumer Reports says the Sentra offers a comfortable ride and quiet cabin with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the 2009 Sentra a 4.3/5 praising the roomy cabin, but doesn’t like the excessive engine noise.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Sentra 4.3/5 and enjoy the responsive steering, but owners don’t like the firm suspension.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Nissan Sentra Have?
The most common problems found on the 2009 Nissan Sentra include excessive oil consumption, noisy brakes, and rusted exhaust connections. Overall, these problems are less severe than some other compact cars, and repair costs are average for a sedan in its price range.
Excessive oil consumption is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 100,000 miles. As the engines age components and gaskets wear down, leading to more oil being used. Many owners simply add oil as needed, while others rebuild the engine for around $1,500.
Noisy brakes are another issue reported by owners about every 30,000 miles. The brake pads tend to wear out faster on the Sentra than on some other cars. Replacing the pads is very easy and only costs about $150 for an entire set, and helps prevent brake noise.
Rusted exhaust connections also show up on some Sentra models at around 50,000 miles. The connections are a weak spot and not made of stainless steel, so they rust easily. Replacing the connection pieces costs about $200, depending on local labor rates.
There’s only 1 recall on the 2009 Nissan Sentra, which is better than average. It’s for the optional portable navigation system, which can cause a fire if the batteries in it fail.
How Long Will the 2009 Nissan Sentra Last?
A well-maintained 2009 Nissan Sentra should be able to last around 250,000 miles, which is similar to rivals including the Ford Focus. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for a compact car, according to data from Repair Pal at $399 per year.
Since most 2009 Sentra models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the EGR valve for $375, the brake booster costing $600, and the engine mounts which cost around $500.
There is something off about the drift alignment. The front of the car points in a direction not given by the steering wheel but that could just be my car.
No Bluetooth phone support, iPod integration, or navigation option makes the sentra se-r spec v a poor tech car.
Yes it is reliable. Car's only issue is horsepower, can easily get stuck in snow or ice if you do not have snow tires.
No major problems. The headlights are a little scuffed. The paint is fading. The led display on the radio does not work. Everything is cosmetic though no mechanical problem.
I believe it to be reliable. I haven't had any problems with my car. The only maintenance it has had has been regular oil changes, tire changes when needed, and headlight and brake changes. I haven't had any other problems with the car at all.
It has been reliable and takes a beating. I do not know if any of the repairs it has needed were inherent or due to normal wear and tear.
The car is reliable. I just don't care for the CVT transmission. It makes it hard to get up steep heels
It has been very reliable and does not have many issues. I did have to replace a cracked exhaust, but that was probably due to poor roads and not a problem with the vehicle’s integrity. It is a little top heavy and sometimes has a wobbly feel when driving.
How Much Is the 2009 Nissan Sentra Worth?
Blue book values range from $4,674 to $7,743, which makes the Sentra thousands of dollars less than the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. When new, the price range was $15,350 to $21,160. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Nissan Sentra?
There are five models of the Nissan Sentra offered for the 2009 model year. The sixth generation of the Sentra was introduced for the 2007 model year, and was redesigned for the seventh generation in 2013.
2.0 is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Locks
- Air Conditioning
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX
2.0 S is a step up adding:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Trip Computer
- Upgraded 6-Speaker Stereo
2.0 SL is next in the lineup and adds:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Ignition
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Optional 8-Speaker Rockford Fosgate Stereo
SE-R is a sporty model and has:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Performance Suspension
- Larger Brakes
- Cloth Sport Seats
SE-R Spec V is the high-performance version with:
- Unique 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- High Performance Tires
- Lowered Suspension
- Upgraded Interior Trim
What Engines Come In the Nissan Sentra?
- The standard engine is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 140 horsepower and gets up to 29 MPG combined.
- A step up is the more powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder which produces 177 horsepower and gets up to 26 MPG combined.
- There’s a retuned stronger 2.5L 4-cylinder which offers up 200 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined. Performance is good, taking 6.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Nissan Sentra Come In?
How Big Is the Nissan Sentra?
The 2009 Nissan Sentra is an average-sized compact car, similar in size to the Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra. Passenger room is better than average with plenty of legroom in the backseats for taller adults.
Cargo space is similar to competitors, and should be able to fit 3-5 suitcases in the trunk.
How Does the Nissan Sentra Compare to the Competition?
The 2009 Nissan Sentra is an average compact car, some of the interior components are nicer than rivals, and the reliability is better than other Nissans.
The Nissan Altima is a popular rival which costs about $500 more. Passenger space is a bit better in the Nissan Altima, but the Nissan Sentra offers more technology and sportier steering. We recommend the Nissan Sentra for the 2009 model year since there are more complaints on the Nissan Altima.
The Toyota Corolla is another competitor, which costs around $2,000 more. Technology is a bit more up-to-date in the Toyota Corolla, but the Nissan Sentra has a more upscale interior. We recommend the Nissan Sentra for 2009 since there are fewer mechanical problems, but in most years we recommend the Toyota Corolla.
Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Sentra?
Yes. It is a 'smart' car, not letting you lock the door if the key is still inside and it is easy to drive.
The 2009 Nissan sentra se r spec v is an excellent vehicle. A nicely tuned engine gives the 2009 Nissan se-r spec v good acceleration and decent fuel economy. The optional Rockford fosgate audio system produces amazing bass.
Reliable with decent mpg, acceleration, and cheap maintenance. Most parts are easy to find online and are easy to afford.
No complaints. I have had it for a year and half and no major problems. Just routine maintenance. Tires, oil changes, battery, etc.
Yes. I really enjoy my car. It is simple to drive and to understand. It is easy to park and overall has a nice look. It is a sleek car, and it is easy to clean. It doesn't have a lot of extra stuff, but it is perfect for what I need it for. It drives great and has good gas mileage. I really enjoy my car.
It's been a good vehicle but I've put a lot of money into it in 10 years. I like the seats because those in other cars bother my back.
Yes. My car is very dependable. It gets great gas mileage and rides smoothly. Definitely a great car
Yes it has been very dependable and has decent gas mileage. It has also needed few if any repairs so far. It has a lot of storage for its size, and the drivers’ seat visibility is excellent.
