Parts for your 2017 Nissan Serena-Oxygen sensor

2017 Nissan Serena oxygen sensor — what it does and how to look after it

Based on the Nissan C27 Serena service manual (Engine Control, MR20DD), the 2017 Serena runs an upstream air–fuel ratio sensor (Sensor 1) ahead of the catalytic converter and a downstream heated oxygen sensor (Sensor 2) after it. Nissan FAST parts catalogues list these as the A/F sensor (22693‑xxxxx) and HO2S (226A0‑xxxxx), and major aftermarket catalogues (DENSO/Bosch, Autodata fitment data) show matching part numbers for 2017 Serena models. So yes — an oxygen sensor system is absolutely used on the 2017 Nissan Serena and it’s central to how the engine manages fuel and emissions.

On the 2017 Serena, the oxygen-sensor setup constantly checks how much oxygen is left in the exhaust. The upstream wideband A/F sensor tells the engine computer exactly how rich or lean things are, so it can trim fuel on the fly for smooth running, decent power and lower emissions. The downstream sensor keeps an eye on catalytic converter efficiency and helps confirm that mixtures are staying where they should be once gases exit the cat. Together, they protect the cat, tidy up cold starts, and help the MR20DD petrol engine deliver respectable fuel economy around town and on the open road.

As part of regular servicing, it pays to give the sensors a bit of attention. There’s no fixed replacement interval from Nissan, but they’re wear items, many techs consider testing or replacing on condition somewhere around the 160,000 km mark, especially if fuel use creeps up or the check engine light pops on. During services, a quick visual of the wiring and connectors under the bonnet and along the exhaust, plus a scan-tool check of live data and fuel trims (aiming for roughly ±10% in normal driving), will flag issues early.

Typical signs an oxygen sensor needs love include a check engine lamp with codes related to A/F or O2 sensors, rough idle, flat spots, a sulphur odour, or a surprise jump in litres per 100 km. Before blaming the sensor, rule out exhaust leaks, intake leaks, or manky spark plugs — all can skew readings.

If replacement’s needed, go for genuine or a quality equivalent that’s correct for the Serena’s MR20DD. Remove the old unit with a proper O2 sensor socket when the exhaust is warm, avoid touching or contaminating the sensing tip, and don’t slather on extra anti‑seize if the new sensor arrives pre‑coated. Refit to the manufacturer torque spec (often around 30–40 N·m), clear codes, and confirm trims and sensor activity on a short test drive.

Popular questions

How many oxygen sensors are on a 2017 Nissan Serena?
The C27 Serena with the MR20DD petrol engine uses two: a wideband air–fuel ratio sensor before the catalytic converter (Sensor 1) and a conventional heated oxygen sensor after the converter (Sensor 2). That pairing lets the ECU fine‑tune fuelling and monitor cat efficiency.

What symptoms point to a dodgy oxygen sensor on a Serena?
Common giveaways are a check engine light, worse fuel economy, slight hesitation or rough idle, and a sulphur smell from the exhaust. A scan may show fuel trims drifting or specific A/F or O2 sensor fault codes. Always rule out exhaust or intake leaks first.

Do the sensors need routine replacement?
There’s no strict kilometre limit from Nissan, but many workshops test or replace on condition around 160,000 km if symptoms or codes appear. Regular inspections and scan‑tool checks during services usually keep things on track and prevent cat damage.