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2000 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Sentra.

The 2000 Nissan Sentra, which calls for 3.9 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil, recorded 182 owner complaints with the leading issue falling in the Engine & Engine Cooling category. This model year was subject to seven recalls, reflecting the specific concerns noted in the complaint data. Across the Sentra’s history from 1990 to 2026, the highest complaint total was 638 in 2013 while the lowest was just eight in 2026, placing the 2000 model’s figure well below the peak and nearer to the lower end of the range. Consequently, the 2000 Sentra occupies a modest position in the model’s long‑term reliability trajectory.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2000

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. 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 35 · 355 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E alt 152089E01A
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Fuel filter	164002Y922 alt 164002Y505
Spark plug	224011P116 alt 224011P115
Front wiper blades	288904Z800 alt 288904Z010
Serpentine belt	119205U011 alt 1195053J20
Thermostat	212000C82A alt 212006M43A
Cabin air filter	27277VP01A

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.

7.9–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2000 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2000	SE 2.0L I-4	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	145 hp	FWD
2000	SE 2.0L I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
2000	SE 2.0L I-4	8.30 sec	16.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
2000	GXE 1.8L I-4	8.90 sec	16.90 sec	126 hp	FWD
2002	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	175 hp	FWD
2002	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	175 hp	FWD
2002	GXE 1.8L I-4	9.00 sec	17.00 sec	126 hp	FWD
2003	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	175 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.6 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	98-112 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 69-76 ft-lbs, MT: 61-69 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	61-69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	20-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	27-35 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	145-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 750, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.8 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	16,000 approx. ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.031-0.035 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.99-1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	192-168 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs / 53-72 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	28-38 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.059 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.008 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Tighten all bolts finger tight

4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35-40

11 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

10-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65

10–12 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Bolts 1-10:

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	43 ft. lbs.	43 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts completely.
4	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
5	50-55 degrees.; Bolts 11-14:	50–55 degrees
1	56-74

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	58 ft. lbs.	58 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts.
4	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees
6	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45-50

24–28 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In the federal complaint record, the 2000 Nissan Sentra generated 182 complaints, 7 recalls and 75 TSBs, which exceeds the 70 complaints and 3 recalls recorded for the preceding 1999 model year but is below the 248 complaints and 8 recalls of the 2001 model year. The complaint trajectory shows a dip in 1998‑1999 followed by a rebound, placing 2000 at the start of a second upward wave that culminates in the 2002 peak of 333 complaints. The dominant complaint categories for 2000 are Engine & Engine Cooling (59), Electrical System (19), Air Bags (12) and Suspension (8), with 20 crash‑related and 4 fire‑related complaints noted. The data does not specify a root cause for these issues, only the aggregate counts. Consequently, while a 2000 Sentra can be found, buyers should verify service records and consider the higher‑than‑average complaint volume before purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

182

Owner complaints

20 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99’00’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling59

Electrical System19

Air Bags12

Suspension8

Wheels8

Power Train8

Equipment7

Unknown Or Other7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E023000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR… Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

01V277000WheelsReported 29/08/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COOLING HOLES IN THE STEEL WHEEL MAY HAVE BURRS ON THEIR EDGES AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURING. THESE BURRS CAN CAUSE CRACKS AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. CRACKS CAN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL IF CRACKS ARE DISCOVERED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001, ASKING…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 75 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB09-081K	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
NTB08-097L	2023-09-21	Steering	DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…

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.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 3.9 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546V0100 Fuel filter 164002Y922 Spark plug 224011P116

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 Sentra take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.