NissanSentra2014Overview/nissan/sentra/2014/base/

2014 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 Sentra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2014 Nissan Sentra is a compact passenger car paired exclusively with a variable-ratio automatic transmission and motivated by an engine that calls for 4.2 quarts of 0W-20 API oil, a combination tuned for efficiency over outright performance as evidenced by EPA ratings of 30 city, 38 highway, and 33 combined mpg. With 380 total owner complaints and five recalls on record, the powertrain dominates the trouble ledger, which is telling given that this model year arrives immediately after 2013 — the single highest-complaint year across the Sentra's 1990–2026 history at 638 grievances. That places the 2014 in the descending tail of a known reliability rough patch rather than at its absolute peak, meaning buyers gain a modest improvement over the prior year but still inherit a disproportionate share of powertrain-related risk relative to the model's long-term average.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy30/38/33 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 21R · 470 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 21R · 470 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter1654630P00
Spark plug22401JA01B alt 22401CK81B
Battery24410ET00B
Front wiper blades288903SG1B discontinued · alt 288903SG0B
Serpentine belt117203SG0B
Thermostat21200ET01A alt 212303RC1A
Cabin air filter272773DF0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight2851 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined30 / 38 / 33 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2018 SR Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013SL 1.8L I-49.20 sec17.20 sec130 hpFWD
2013SL 1.8L I-49.60 sec17.30 sec130 hpFWD
2013SL 1.8L I-49.70 sec17.40 sec130 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec130 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-410.00 sec17.60 sec130 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-410.20 sec18.20 sec130 hpFWD
2018SR Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.40 sec188 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub96 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance0 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.88-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number21R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance470 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression177-200 PSI. 14.5 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0016 in / 0.0003 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0039 in / 0.0014 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6514 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 6022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2100 degrees.100 degrees
3Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
5100 degrees.100 degrees
6100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.100 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7025 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Radiator Cap (inspect)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 Nissan Sentra sits near the apex of its generation's federal complaint arc, immediately following the worst model year (2013 with 638 complaints). While 2014 saw complaints drop to 380 alongside 5 recalls, 3 investigations, and 193 TSBs, this volume remains severely elevated compared to the 180 complaints recorded in 2012 before the redesign. Powertrain problems dominate the 2014 landscape with 134 reported issues, trailed by airbags (41) and service brakes (22), though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. With 27 crash and 6 fire complaints further underscoring the severity, the 2014 model's placement in this troubled arc implies lingering early-production flaws. Consequently, buyers should skip the 2014 Sentra and seek later models in the generation—such as 2018, which dropped to 184 complaints—where initial reliability issues were better resolved.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
193
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
380
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 380 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train134
Air Bags41
Unknown Or Other33
Service Brakes22
Engine22
Power Train,Engine11
Power Train,Unknown Or Other8
Electrical System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V242000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 26/04/2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of…

17V253000Air BagsReported 13/04/2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 193 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 Sentra take?

4.2 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sentra get?

EPA figures are 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined mpg.