2019 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 222 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 16 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMar 3, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Campaign 21V135000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 12, 2019
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 19V654000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
64 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 11, 2026
Collision warning sound happens randomly for no reason
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, May 20, 2026
Transmission Failure of drive train Acknowledged by Dealer Inspection by Dealer No warning signs prior to failure
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact's daughter pressed the engine Auto Start/Stop button again, the vehicle restarted. The contact had AAA test that the battery, which had no failure, and it was determined that the brake light switch had failed. The cruise control later failed to operate as needed, and the message "Automatic Emergency Braking Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Electrical system, Apr 15, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 78,129. It was later discovered from a Carfax Report that the mileage was 86,239.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact was attempting to purchase a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was advertised for sale by a local dealer on Facebook Marketplace with a photo of the odometer reading of 72,000 miles. After obtaining a Carfax report for the vehicle, the contact discovered that the mileage was 196,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 20, 2025
I am writing to formally report a safety-related defect in my 2019 Nissan Sentra and to request reimbursement for repair costs associated with this issue. My vehicle experienced a failure of the brake light switch, which prevented the car from starting and disabled the brake lights—posing a serious safety hazard. Although I have been informed that my vehicle is not currently included in Recall Campaign PM971, the symptoms and defective part match the recall description precisely. I have verified my VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup tool, and I am concerned that the recall scope may be too narrow, excluding vehicles that are clearly affected. This defect required immediate repair to restore basic vehicle functionality and ensure safety. I have attached documentation of the repair, including the invoice and diagnostic notes, for your review. I respectfully request the following: Reimbursement for the cost of the brake light switch repair. A formal review of my vehicle’s eligibility for Recall PM971. Consideration for expanding the recall to include additional affected vehicles, including mine. I am submitting this complaint in the interest of safety and fairness—not only for myself but for other Nissan owners who may be facing the same issue without recourse. I trust that Nissan will take this matter seriously and respond with the integrity and customer care that your brand represents. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 15, 2025
Push to start is having issues. Break stiffens up and car wont start.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 23, 2025
I purchased a 2019 Nissan Sentra SR (VIN: [XXX] ) as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Star Nissan in Bayside, NY on [XXX]. Since the day of purchase, I have experienced repeated failures when trying to start the vehicle using the push-button ignition. Specifically, when pressing the brake pedal to start the car, nothing happens — the brake does not register, and the engine will not start. This issue directly matches the symptoms outlined in NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Nissan Campaign PM971), which addresses a known brake lamp switch defect in 2016–2019 Nissan Sentra models. I was not the original owner and was never notified of this recall. The selling dealership, who had custody of the car when the recall was issued, did not confirm or perform the required repair before reselling the vehicle to me. Nissan Consumer Affairs now claims there are “no open recalls” on my VIN, but the part in question — the brake switch — has never been replaced, and my Nissan service history confirms that it was not repaired. Instead, unrelated components like the brake booster were replaced multiple times, which did not resolve the issue. This defect has created multiple unsafe situations where I was stranded with my child in unsafe areas due to the car failing to start. The car’s brake system is critical to safe operation and starting function, and failure of this component puts both myself and my child at risk. I believe the recall was never performed and was falsely marked as completed or was never properly associated with my VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why this VIN is not being flagged for an active recall, despite clear matching symptoms and lack of documented repair. I also request that Nissan be required to fulfill the safety repair free of charge under the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, May 7, 2025
The drivers side door lock is defective. The automatic locking does not work. This is unsafe since the doors need to be locked manually which puts people at right of opening the door while driving. There are currently no recalls or warnings in regards to this malfunction. Also, the electrical and sound in the front radio screen is also defective. I did take it to Nissan and they said it would need to be completely replaced. This service would cost $400. Because of this defect, you cannot talk to emergency services if needed.
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and repaired with a software update. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2025
Car is constantly turning on inside even if the car is turned off, the radio will play all night. Sometimes in comes on and then it turns off. When car is turned on and I am driving all of a sudden screen and dashboard will go out all black and then all of a sudden turns on. This has been happening since I purchased the vehicle which was about 2 years ago, I did take back to question it and it was stated to me that sometimes vehicles do that because the vehicle has just been turned off. Now to add to that I am getting a key system error on dashboard when driving the car and electrically speaking the doors are now not locking but everything mechanically is intact and working.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2024
When i bought the car, it started making a grunting sound every time I would accelerate the car and start driving. Now the car stalls while I'm on drive. It had turned off on me a few times while driving and quickly turn back on, and other times it would turn off when I would make a turn I took my car to my mechanic and they weren't sure what is wrong with it. They say it might be an electrical issue or the transmission, they also said that my axles are bad on my car. I only have a year with the car which I bought from enterprise car sales and it had 115k miles. Still too little for it to have that many problems.
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2024
Bought a used car from a dealership, in April 2023. Battery is being drained when parked. I have been stranded several times, due to the battery failure. First time happened 6 months after purchase. Now battery needs to be replaced frequently, about every 2 months
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2024
On 10/28/2024 I was driving on a highway at 60 mph with light traffic. All of a sudden the radio display panel went blank and all the warning lights on dashboard lit up. The car started to slow down and did not gain speed even when gas pedal is pressed. Car speed went down to 40 mph. I put on hazard lights and looking for safe spot to park the car. I drove for 2 to 3 minutes and then dashboard warnings lights went out, radio came back and the car gained speed again. It drove normal again. This car has other issues as well such USB ports do not function.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2024
The radio system of car the Nissan connect turns on and off when the car is parked and off it does drain my car battery to the point I have to replace it all the time this issues happened the camera works off and on the CarPlay and android auto sometimes work but it doesn’t which is a safety concern when trying to answer calls through the car and messages but it won’t let me do that due to those issues
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 3, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 2, 2024
The car will not register the brake activation to be able to start the vehicle. Hence, we have a broken car that now doesn’t work
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2024
Transmission has been slipping and now car won’t go into gear at all, door handles have broken on both front doors.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 12, 2024
I am having really bad transmission issues. my car screen for GPS, Bluetooth doesnt even work... or wont even play my bluetooth music half the time... my sunroof, will not go down anymore. this is a 2019 Nissian Sentra i just GOT 5 months ago..
Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 23, 2024
Left front vibrations and steering issues. Also start button won't engage even after repair. Trouble stating car and interferes with remote starting.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2024
This happened to me a total of 3 times. Low fuel light does not come on. First time I had 32 miles until empty no low fuel light came on, car stopped battery light came on. Tried to jump the car and it did not start. Put in some premium gas and it started. Second time same thing happened car slowly stopped and battery light came on. Tried to jump the car did not start, put gas in but this time it didn't start, had to get the car towed. Battery was tested and fine. Mechanic said he believes it is the gas gage being incorrect. Third time this happened today, February 3,2024 50 miles until empty pulled out into the middle of the road and my car stopped. I was in the middle of the road with cars beeping at me. I could not move my car. Battery light came on. Police came and put some gas in the car and it started. This is a dangerous thing happening and thankfully I am okay and it could have been alot worse. Please have this issue looked into and fixed. I will be bringing my car into the dealer Monday for this issue to be resolved hopefully.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2024
Radio turns on intermittently when the car is not on. Drains battery. Has caused the car to not start several times and left my daughter on the side of the road.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2024
Parasitic draw on the battery. Drains a period of 8hrs. Have had the battery tested and alternator tested both are good. Had a parasitic draw test done and shows nothing at the time of the test.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 19, 2023
CVT. The safety issue is losing power when driving. Almost stalls. My safety in jeopardy when you have traffic including semi trucks coming from behind.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 19, 2023
On October 14, 2023, while driving with no vehicle in front of the 2019 Nissan Sentra, the Automatic Emergency Braking engaged, stopping the car forcefully. There were 3 warning beeps of a potential collision immediately prior to the braking, however, as stated, no vehicle was in front of this vehicle, and no other obstruction was in front of the vehicle. On October 16, 2023, while driving with no vehicle in front of the 2019 Nissan Sentra, there were 3 beeps warning of a potential collision. During this occasion, the braking did not engage and only the warning was given.