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Mazda MAZDA3 vs Nissan Sentra: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 131 complaints per model year about the Mazda MAZDA3 and 180 about the Nissan Sentra.

Side by side

Mazda MAZDA3Nissan Sentra
Model years compared2006-20262006-2026
Owner complaints2,7523,773
Complaints per model year131180
Recalls2736
Years to avoid2008201020132014
Best years201720192021200620092022
Most common problemSteeringTransmission
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economyNo data32-33 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

2006 Mazda MAZDA3: 1662006 Nissan Sentra: 11620062007 Mazda MAZDA3: 2222007 Nissan Sentra: 1542008 Mazda MAZDA3: 3032008 Nissan Sentra: 16720082009 Mazda MAZDA3: 1152009 Nissan Sentra: 552010 Mazda MAZDA3: 6862010 Nissan Sentra: 14420102011 Mazda MAZDA3: 1322011 Nissan Sentra: 1422012 Mazda MAZDA3: 2262012 Nissan Sentra: 18020122013 Mazda MAZDA3: 1172013 Nissan Sentra: 6382014 Mazda MAZDA3: 1382014 Nissan Sentra: 38120142015 Mazda MAZDA3: 1302015 Nissan Sentra: 3522016 Mazda MAZDA3: 1042016 Nissan Sentra: 27020162017 Mazda MAZDA3: 842017 Nissan Sentra: 2312018 Mazda MAZDA3: 1102018 Nissan Sentra: 18520182019 Mazda MAZDA3: 742019 Nissan Sentra: 2232020 Mazda MAZDA3: 322020 Nissan Sentra: 20820202021 Mazda MAZDA3: 552021 Nissan Sentra: 1332022 Mazda MAZDA3: 242022 Nissan Sentra: 8120222023 Mazda MAZDA3: 122023 Nissan Sentra: 202024 Mazda MAZDA3: 122024 Nissan Sentra: 4120242025 Mazda MAZDA3: 92025 Nissan Sentra: 322026 Mazda MAZDA3: 12026 Nissan Sentra: 202026
Mazda MAZDA3Nissan Sentra

Problems compared

MAZDA3Sentra
Steering359286
Electrical341541
Body272109
Engine257604
Brakes243415
Transmission2221,157
Airbags210481
Driver assistance178318

Questions about the Mazda MAZDA3 vs Nissan Sentra

Which is more reliable, the Mazda MAZDA3 or the Nissan Sentra?

Between 2006 and 2026, the Mazda MAZDA3 has 2 years to avoid and the Nissan Sentra 2. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mazda MAZDA3 drew fewer complaints per model year (131 vs 180), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda MAZDA3 or the Nissan Sentra?

From 2006 to 2026, the Mazda MAZDA3 was covered by 27 recalls and the Nissan Sentra by 36.

What years of the Mazda MAZDA3 and Nissan Sentra should you avoid?

Mazda MAZDA3: 2008 and 2010. Nissan Sentra: 2013 and 2014.

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