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2020 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 147 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

204 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2023
Lane DepartureSteering

At Freeway speeds the vehicle unaccurately reads the lanes and begins steering the vehicle out of the lanes. When this malfunction occurs, the steering wheel becomes entirely loose for a split second then returns back to a solid state causing over steering, lane departure and unstability in steering. After the malfunction occurs…

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At Freeway speeds the vehicle unaccurately reads the lanes and begins steering the vehicle out of the lanes. When this malfunction occurs, the steering wheel becomes entirely loose for a split second then returns back to a solid state causing over steering, lane departure and unstability in steering. After the malfunction occurs the vehicle begins steering like a "ping-pong ball game" between the lines (inaccurately) never allowing you to regain a center of steering. You turn the wheel to correct the inaccurate direction the vehicle is pulling and the steering flips to the opposite side and does this continuously once malfunction occurs until vehicle is parked and restarted. The steering becomes incredibly unsafe and erratic once malfunction occurs and other motor's take notice by providing massive bubble of space even within heavy traffic conditions. When steering malfunction occurs the front wheel feel as though they are falling off the vehicle and the rear end drags outside of turn radius sometimes with the vehicle traveling in a straight line sideways a few degrees. I've attempted to address this major safety concern 7 times now and even had sensors factory warranted when the vehicle was throwing codes pertaining to the issue. The problem is still increasing prevalent, the vehicle feels incredibly unsafe to drive and the dealership is gaslighting the issue with no resolve since there is nothing mechanically wrong and it isn't throwing codes. The vehicle began malfunctioning just outside of lemon law rights so I have no choice but to continue driving this sole means of transportation death trap or accept $10k in loss still owed.

NHTSA ODI #11539628

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureSteering

When driving my sensors are ringing off as if someone is in front of my car. The brakes will be pushed down stopping the car while driving. Also when driving you hear a loud clicking noise which I was told before its my tired rod. I replaced this tired rod once before when it snapped while driving before this recall was put out.…

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When driving my sensors are ringing off as if someone is in front of my car. The brakes will be pushed down stopping the car while driving. Also when driving you hear a loud clicking noise which I was told before its my tired rod. I replaced this tired rod once before when it snapped while driving before this recall was put out. I have complained numerous times to my dealership and they are not taking this matter seriously.

NHTSA ODI #11539563

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control

When driving the forward collision avoidance system acts up. It will randomly slam on the breaks when nothing is in front. It also happens when cruise control is on, it will slam the breaks with an empty road ahead. It also thinks that there is something ahead when the road is clear ahead. This needs to be looked at because the …

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When driving the forward collision avoidance system acts up. It will randomly slam on the breaks when nothing is in front. It also happens when cruise control is on, it will slam the breaks with an empty road ahead. It also thinks that there is something ahead when the road is clear ahead. This needs to be looked at because the number of complaints in regard to this is silly.

NHTSA ODI #11539424

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

My vehicle randomly slammed on the brakes twice tonight within a 30 minute span. The first time was on a busy highway going about 45 mph at about 7:00 pm. The second time was on a residential street going about 25 mph at about 8:00 pm. Both times, the dashboard lit up red with hazard lights. Nothing was directly in front of me t…

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My vehicle randomly slammed on the brakes twice tonight within a 30 minute span. The first time was on a busy highway going about 45 mph at about 7:00 pm. The second time was on a residential street going about 25 mph at about 8:00 pm. Both times, the dashboard lit up red with hazard lights. Nothing was directly in front of me that would have caused the issue. Mileage is less than 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11536601

80,000 miles · Aug 1, 2023
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sporadically braked. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact to replace the battery. The battery was repaired; however, the failure…

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The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sporadically braked. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact to replace the battery. The battery was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11535891

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceCrash

I was driving to pick up some body as Rideshare driver on as part time, and i crashed into a car was parking on the side of the road, I still have no idea why is that happend. But i think the Malfunction Warning that was on dash got something to do with it!

NHTSA ODI #11535647

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

The forward collision warning keeps malfunctioning; it has done it a total of three times so far once when I first cranked up the car and was just sitting in it for about 10 minutes and it popped on as soon as I switched into drive and it wouldn’t allow me to move so I had to restart my car, second time was on the interstate and…

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The forward collision warning keeps malfunctioning; it has done it a total of three times so far once when I first cranked up the car and was just sitting in it for about 10 minutes and it popped on as soon as I switched into drive and it wouldn’t allow me to move so I had to restart my car, second time was on the interstate and luckily nothing bad happened and third time it just popped on when I cranked my car and then cut off as I was driving

NHTSA ODI #11529528

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceSteeringSuspension

Tie rod end snapped/car will stop out of no where

NHTSA ODI #11523921

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

On May 23, 2023, I have parked to pick up a grocery order. I did not shut the engine off. Once the order was loaded, I put my car in reverse. The car started to back up, and then completely shut off. An error message related to the key fob came on. I was able to successfully start the car again. I currently have the car at Hym…

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On May 23, 2023, I have parked to pick up a grocery order. I did not shut the engine off. Once the order was loaded, I put my car in reverse. The car started to back up, and then completely shut off. An error message related to the key fob came on. I was able to successfully start the car again. I currently have the car at Hyman Brothers Nissan. Their diagnostics indicate a failure, however, they are unable to determine the source of the failure at this time. My main concern is having this happen again while driving with my 2 year old in his car seat. I previously reported an issue with my back up camera going blue. They have also received a code for that, but again, are unable to determine the source. The dealership's number is 804-378-0266, and Jimi is the service advisor. Since the vehicle is in their possession, I do not have documentation at this time. The contact stated that the only advice given to her by the dealership was to drive the vehicle more but she has concerns about that.

NHTSA ODI #11523696

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2023
Electrical System

car died wont start until jumped has done it 3 times

NHTSA ODI #11521763

Official recalls

4

23V628000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 8, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

23V581000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Aug 15, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 27, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.

22V244000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Apr 13, 2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Sentra vehicles, equipped with LED headlights. The right-hand headlight aim may be misaligned. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-hand headlight, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R20B4.

21V461000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Jun 17, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right tie rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.