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2021 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 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

Limited mileage data: 21 of 131 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Steering. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

131 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

The AEB system will activate sporadically in traffic and open road (I.e interstate) this can cause a serious crash if the car locks it up running 70 mph and tries to emergency stop It has been to the dealer for this issue with no resolve No prior warning when this happens and has been continuously more frequent since 30k mil…

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The AEB system will activate sporadically in traffic and open road (I.e interstate) this can cause a serious crash if the car locks it up running 70 mph and tries to emergency stop It has been to the dealer for this issue with no resolve No prior warning when this happens and has been continuously more frequent since 30k miles

NHTSA ODI #11539938

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

1. Automatic Emergency Braking - System - System Failed /or Malfunctioned Car is available for examination (28,000 miles) 2. Collision alert sounded, with warning indicator (red bar with two white bars below), Emergency braking triggered (no apparent ABS, but driver felt the vehicle decelerate), stopped the vehicle, and turned …

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1. Automatic Emergency Braking - System - System Failed /or Malfunctioned Car is available for examination (28,000 miles) 2. Collision alert sounded, with warning indicator (red bar with two white bars below), Emergency braking triggered (no apparent ABS, but driver felt the vehicle decelerate), stopped the vehicle, and turned the vehicle engine off (electrical systems remained on). The vehicle was traveling on a city street at approximately 35 MPH at a slight incline, at dusk. No signs, pedestrians, other vehicles, or signs within visible distance present in front of the vehicle, or on either side of the road. There were no obstruction, debris, speed bumps, trees or pot holes on either side of the road within visible distance in front of the vehicle. Injuries may have occurred if another car was closely following, or could not stop in time. 3. The problem has been reported to the Suntrup Nissan (dealer from whom we purchased the vehicle) and Nissan Consumer Affairs (case [XXX]). The Consumer Affairs representative did not seem to understand the problem (initially thought it was ABS)or safety concern though (she said we should not worry as the vehicle was under waranty). We are awaiting a call back from the dealer though. However, in searching for an explanation we saw similar issues reported by a law firm (LemonLawExperts.com) 4. Vehicle has not been inspected. 5. This was the first such incident we experienced in the car. Other than the warning alert during the incident, there was no indication of this problem. The car had been in for routine service about a month ago though. At the service I mentioned the radio spontaneously turning off while traveling in a parking lot, and then turning back on a minute or two later in the same parking lot. To our knowledge the only repair work was a faulty window switch that was replaced. “INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI #11538627

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023
Steering

I brought this car in January 2023. I was driving on a residential street and after I made a left turn, I loss control of the steering because the tire rods had broke on the right side. I could have gotten into a serious accident; but luckily I only hit the curb. Please the attached picture. This happened on 7/30/23

NHTSA ODI #11536176

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

Automatic emergency braking has happened 3 times in the last 2 months without any reason. The 1st time there was a person who stepped off a side walk but I wasn’t to close to them. The last 2 times there was nothing around and all 3 times I was doing 40 or less. What happens if it happens doing 65+ on the highway. I’m worrie…

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Automatic emergency braking has happened 3 times in the last 2 months without any reason. The 1st time there was a person who stepped off a side walk but I wasn’t to close to them. The last 2 times there was nothing around and all 3 times I was doing 40 or less. What happens if it happens doing 65+ on the highway. I’m worried this is going to cause someone to rear end me because it happens so suddenly with no warning really. I have made an appointment with the dealership.

NHTSA ODI #11531699

11,382 miles · Jul 11, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage …

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The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,382.

NHTSA ODI #11531528

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed ControlInjury

1. My brakes locked up on my and the warning light came on saying I hit something 2.the only windows that works is the drivers identified 3.my warning lights came on and it started smelling inside the car I shut the car off and the warning light went off so I thought it was OK finished driving home and became sick opened the ho…

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1. My brakes locked up on my and the warning light came on saying I hit something 2.the only windows that works is the drivers identified 3.my warning lights came on and it started smelling inside the car I shut the car off and the warning light went off so I thought it was OK finished driving home and became sick opened the hood and my battery had smoke pouring out of each side my sinuses were burning, my throat was on fire i was sick the rest of the night i called poison control and they told me what to do

NHTSA ODI #11531207

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2023
Power Train

My car has a recall for the left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. I brought the car in two days prior (July 3rd) to get fixed but the dealership wasn’t allotted enough mechanics to be able to get to my car, (july 5th) I turned out o…

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My car has a recall for the left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. I brought the car in two days prior (July 3rd) to get fixed but the dealership wasn’t allotted enough mechanics to be able to get to my car, (july 5th) I turned out of a hotel parking lot and my front left tie rod broke. The recall number for Nissan is PM985 and is supposed to be fixed by Nissan with no cost to me. At the moment it is under review and Nissan is trying to find any way to not fix it for free. I live in atlanta with no family and am a female, my car is my only means for transportation. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 21V461000. With 138,736 already affected, I am number 138,737.

NHTSA ODI #11530944

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

I brought this car 1/28/2023. The car emergency brake or stop was activated for no reasons at all. There was zero objects in front of my bumper. This happened to me twice. Once in May 2023 and then again on the 4th of July 2023. I called the dealership on 1st incident in May 2023 and I was told that the brakes will be applied…

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I brought this car 1/28/2023. The car emergency brake or stop was activated for no reasons at all. There was zero objects in front of my bumper. This happened to me twice. Once in May 2023 and then again on the 4th of July 2023. I called the dealership on 1st incident in May 2023 and I was told that the brakes will be applied if the car thinks it’s getting ready to crash. This is very dangerous and can cause an accident if the emergency braking system is causing the car to stop for no reasons.

NHTSA ODI #11530498

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

Car emergency stops with no reason. Dangerous. Will cause accident. Needs recalled.

NHTSA ODI #11528795

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I bought this car and have had issues with the heat not working. The air not working and now the latest the windows not working. A few months ago the windows stopped working when it was 40-45 degrees or colder out. Now today I went to open the windows and at 80 degrees they won't open. This is a major safety concern if a accide…

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I bought this car and have had issues with the heat not working. The air not working and now the latest the windows not working. A few months ago the windows stopped working when it was 40-45 degrees or colder out. Now today I went to open the windows and at 80 degrees they won't open. This is a major safety concern if a accident occurs and people can't get out. The dealership has looked at all issues and claim nothing is wrong every time.

NHTSA ODI #11524729

Official recalls

3

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.

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.