2021 Nissan Sentra problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Nissan Sentra recalls (3)

• Recall 23V628000Sep 8, 2023153,376 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 23V581000Aug 15, 2023236,238 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 21V461000Jun 17, 2021138,736 vehicles
  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

Recent 2021 Nissan Sentra complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 30, 2026CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2021. Since then, I have experienced a very concerning safety issue on multiple occasions involving the automatic emergency braking system. While driving normally, with the vehicle operating without any apparent problems, the emergency braking system has suddenly activated and warning lights have appeared on the dashboard, even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, object, or other obstruction in front of me that would have required…

   NHTSA complaint #11768165 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2026GASuspension

   My vehicle previously had the tie rod issue repaired under the original recall\. However, the same problem has now returned\. I am experiencing a sharp/clunking noise when turning left while the vehicle is moving, which is very concerning because this involves the vehicle’s steering and suspension\. I checked Nissan’s recall information online using my VIN, and it currently states that there are no open recalls\. However, I have only had this issue repaired **once**, under…

   NHTSA complaint #11763094 · source
3. Filed Aug 30, 2026CAOther / Unknown

   Drivers of the car pulled out of a plaza without blinker and almost ran into our vehicle. Passenger and driver continued to harass and make rude comments whenever they pass by us. And we felt very offended.

   NHTSA complaint #11760768 · source
4. Filed Jul 18, 2026AZDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   My 2021 Nissan Sentra has experienced multiple false Automatic Emergency Braking (phantom braking) events where the vehicle suddenly applies the brakes despite there being no vehicle, pedestrian, or obstacle in its path. This issue occurred before and after my vehicle was serviced by AutoNation Nissan Chandler on June 12, 2026. Despite recent dealership service, the problem continues to occur. The unexpected braking creates a serious safety hazard because it can cause the…

   NHTSA complaint #11751232 · source
5. Filed Jul 15, 2026ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   The scope of repair required fixing a recalled tie rod that suffered a catastrophic failure, which directly caused the vehicle’s ADAS, Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB), and collision detection systems to crash. Berman Nissan promised a legally compliant, safe repair but breached this agreement by returning an unsafe vehicle, failing to road-test the steering component (verified by identical check-in/out mileage), and intentionally scrubbing trouble codes to conceal active…

   NHTSA complaint #11750579 · source
6. Filed Jun 8, 2026AKDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Alternator needed replacement Front windshield needed replacement Unfortunately this kicked off the malfunction warning. All Nissan can say is it’s the ADAS 2 controller. They are unable to determine part numbers. However the alternator and windshield replacement kicked off the malfunction warning.

   NHTSA complaint #11742845 · source
7. Filed May 26, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechSuspension

   Several issues since purchasing vehicle. The front collision sensor malfunction. Came to an abrupt stop several times while on the freeway due to failed sensor. Narrowly avoided major collisions. Also, have had to replace batter every year along with brakes and tires. My suspension is awful. The brakes are crap and have consistently had to address worn tires in one side. Electric panel shit off and key fob malfunctions. So many issues and so much unnecessary repairs with no…

   NHTSA complaint #11739981 · source
8. Filed May 25, 2026NJSteering

   Hello, I am reporting a steering-related issue involving the inner tie rods on my 2021 Nissan Sentra. Nissan previously issued safety recall campaign PM985 for bent inner tie rods on certain Sentra vehicles from the same model year. Two separate repair facilities inspected my vehicle and confirmed problems involving the inner tie rods and steering system components. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared prior to the issue being identified. Although my VIN may not…

   NHTSA complaint #11739878 · 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