2020 Nissan Sentra problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Sentra, most often about driver assistance & safety tech. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 206
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 28,879 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech is the most-reported problem area, named in 71 of 206 complaints (34%).
- Steering (55) and electrical system (45) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 28,879 mi.
- Owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2020 Nissan Sentra has 4 recalls on file.
- It ranks 6th of 22 Nissan Sentra model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2020 Nissan Sentra problems by category
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 4 crashes71 complaints
- Steering · 2 crashes55 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 2 crashes47 complaints
- Electrical System · 2 crashes45 complaints
- Brakes · 2 crashes25 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain10 complaints
- Suspension10 complaints
- Engine · 1 crash9 complaints
- Body & Structure6 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control6 complaints
- Lighting5 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 1 crash5 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion2 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 54 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 50 |
| Unknown or other | 47 |
| Electrical system | 44 |
| Service brakes | 25 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 22 |
| Power train | 10 |
| Suspension | 10 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Nissan Sentra recalls (4)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
Risk: 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.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
Risk: 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.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Risk: 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.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Recent 2020 Nissan Sentra complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 2, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
2020 Nissan Sentra , had been affected, Fuel system and or transmission has been affected , I also communicated this with Nissan Consumers affairs on 9/1, case number(57016532) they didn’t bother to help. I also went to the dealer twice . They also were unbothered and monotone . It’s a safety issue since the car stalls in low speeds. CVT transmission is expensive and they don’t want to fix it . I want to give it back to Nissan or the bank .
NHTSA complaint #11768463 · source - Filed Sep 21, 2026PAElectrical System
The back up camera frequently goes blank when the car is put in reverse. This is a safety hazard as I can't see what is behind me when I am backing up. Upon further research, this is common in Nissan Sentras around this time but my specific car was not under the recall. There were multiple reports of faulty wiring causing the same issues. There were no warnings prior to this failure and it has been going on for over a year.
NHTSA complaint #11765990 · source - Filed Jul 23, 2026VAElectrical System
3/4 doors will not lock/unlock using fob, or the door controllers. This increases risk of theft, car jacking, and safety as the locks do not engage while driving. Very dangerous. Windows do not roll up/down, which when paired with the doors needing to be locked/unlocked manually can cause one to become trapped, especially with passengers. Dealership charged me $200 to tell me that the locks is were broken wanted to charge me $1200 to fix only two.
NHTSA complaint #11752295 · source - Filed Jul 8, 2026ILElectrical System
The power unlock on all four doors of my car doors will no longer operate via key fob, outside lock button or interior power unlock buttons, although the doors can all be locked using those same processes. In addition, the doors have all randomly locked while being inside the car with no key, locking me inside the car and requiring someone getting a key to manually unlock the car to allow me to exit. The doors have also randomly locked with the key inside the car making it…
NHTSA complaint #11749096 · source - Filed Jul 7, 2026140,000 miTXSteering
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was off centered and the vehicle vibrated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a passenger-side rear detached inter-tire rod and bushing and a driver's side rear inter-tire rod and bushing failing. The contact was informed that the driver's…
NHTSA complaint #11748871 · source - Filed Jul 6, 2026TNSteering
I have an Nissan Sentra sv 2020 and steering rack is causing problems when I drive my car, making my whole steering wheel shake when I go 60 on the highway, it also makes noises when I try to gently press on the gas making my wheels shake violently against the road. It’s a really bad safety hazard. If that part breaks. I can or any other drivers can lose control of their car and end up in a bad accident even death. Dealership is asking for about 4k to get that fix
NHTSA complaint #11748419 · source - Filed Jun 3, 2026MIBody & StructureElectrical System
The rear driver side door does not lock/unlock when pressing the lock/unlock buttons on the key fob nor the buttons on either of the front seat door panels. It is only able to be locked/unlocked by manually flipping the lock/unlock switch on the (rear driver side) door. No other doors have this issue. I believe either the door switch actuator or faulty wiring is the cause of the issue. I believe it is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of my…
NHTSA complaint #11741828 · source - Filed May 26, 2026VAElectrical System
my vehicle backup camera has been turning blue i didn't know why because the first couple of months i've had it, it's been fine i found out it was a recall on it
NHTSA complaint #11740142 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology