Honda Civic vs Nissan Sentra: reliability compared
From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 504 complaints per model year about the Honda Civic and 180 about the Nissan Sentra.
Side by side
| Honda Civic | Nissan Sentra | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2006-2026 | 2006-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 10,592 | 3,773 |
| Complaints per model year | 504 | 180 |
| Recalls | 41 | 36 |
| Years to avoid | 2006200720082016 | 20132014 |
| Best years | 201120202021 | 200620092022 |
| Most common problem | Steering | Transmission |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 24-49 mpg combined (2026) | 32-33 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Civic | Sentra | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2,457 | 286 |
| Engine | 1,336 | 604 |
| Airbags | 1,285 | 481 |
| Electrical | 914 | 541 |
| Visibility | 895 | 63 |
| Transmission | 776 | 1,157 |
| Brakes | 718 | 415 |
| Driver assistance | 456 | 318 |
Questions about the Honda Civic vs Nissan Sentra
Which is more reliable, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Sentra?
Between 2006 and 2026, the Honda Civic has 4 years to avoid and the Nissan Sentra 2. The Nissan Sentra has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Sentra drew fewer complaints per model year (180 vs 504), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Sentra?
From 2006 to 2026, the Honda Civic was covered by 41 recalls and the Nissan Sentra by 36.
What years of the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra should you avoid?
Honda Civic: 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2016. Nissan Sentra: 2013 and 2014.
More compact cars comparisons
Honda Civic vs Toyota CorollaHonda Civic vs Hyundai ElantraHonda Civic vs Mazda MAZDA3Honda Civic vs Kia ForteHonda Civic vs Volkswagen JettaHonda Civic vs Subaru ImprezaChevrolet Cruze vs Honda CivicFord Focus vs Honda CivicHyundai Elantra vs Toyota CorollaNissan Sentra vs Toyota CorollaMazda MAZDA3 vs Toyota CorollaKia Forte vs Toyota CorollaToyota Corolla vs Volkswagen JettaSubaru Impreza vs Toyota CorollaChevrolet Cruze vs Toyota CorollaFord Focus vs Toyota CorollaHyundai Elantra vs Nissan SentraHyundai Elantra vs Mazda MAZDA3Hyundai Elantra vs Kia ForteHyundai Elantra vs Volkswagen JettaHyundai Elantra vs Subaru ImprezaChevrolet Cruze vs Hyundai ElantraFord Focus vs Hyundai ElantraMazda MAZDA3 vs Nissan Sentra
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car