2004 Nissan Sentra: jerking or lurching

6 of the 197 complaints about the 2004 Nissan Sentra describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 72,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2025
1
2024
4
2023
1
2022
3
2021
3
2020
5
2019
13
2018
10
2017
18
2016
32
2015
43
2014
58
2013
102
2012
9
2011
12
2010
2
2009
1
2008
3
2007
2
2006
1
2004
6
2003
3
2002
9
2001
5
2000
5
1996
1
1993
1
1992
1

What owners say

Filed Mar 14, 2016 · Engine · 127,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving from a stop, the vehicle jerked and the engine RPM's revved rapidly without warning. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Electrical · AZ

The vehicle was difficult to start and require multiple tries. The would jerk and felt like it was slipping out of gear but did not. Has completely stalled when slowing for stop light. On 12/5/11, would not crank at all. Per nissan service center, the crankshaft senor is failing; however, there is not recall for nissan sentra ser spec-v only 2004 sentras. All nissan sentras should be on the recall list including ser spec-vs. Concerned that there are other safety issues with nissan sentras that would also effect spec-v that are not being reported to spec-v owners.

Filed Jun 25, 2010 · Engine · 108,000 miles · TX

2004 nissan sentra 1.8 I just hit 2 years with this car and still have another 2 years. Car does not start on first try. It over heats,it dies while in use,recently it started jerking really bad and RPM shot to 4,000 and wouldn't go past 20mph. I already had a new fuel pump put in and a new crankshaft sensor and new spark plugs. I just found out it has a blown head gasket. I cant afford this im a single mother of 3. Rack in pinion needs to be replaced even the mass air flow. Who knows what else?

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Engine · 72,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and suddenly stalled. The contact was able to maneuver to the side of the road and restart the vehicle after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the battery was replaced; the repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the crankshaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2008 · Engine · 58,000 miles · KY

Driving vehicle @ 60 MPH on highway and the vehicle sputtered and jerked several times and then ran ok. Stopped and parked the car for four hours and then drove home and it did it again at 55 MPH. 5-13-08 it happened two more times at low speeds and actually died. It started back up and then ran fine. 5-31-08 dealership stated that the problem is the crankshaft sensor.

Filed Jul 22, 2004 · Electrical · 2,060 miles · NJ

The consumer experienced the same problem as described in the ECM material recall 03v477000 in addition, the vehicle jerked back and forward, but the vehicle identification number and model year was not included in the recall.