2020 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 205 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 8 involved a crash. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V628000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyAug 15, 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V581000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsApr 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."
An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyJun 17, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. 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.
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.
Campaign 21V461000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Mar 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Feb 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Jan 23, 2024
I was driving home on 10/23/23 when I lost control of the car, I tried my best to pull over and stayed on the side of the road. I came outside of the vehicle and saw that my tire was not operating but the tire was not popped. I saw that there was a piece hanging and I then looked it up and saw that it was my passenger right tie rod that broke off. I got a tow to get out of the danger zone of the street and then called the dealer the next day. I was told that it would be covered under a recall, all I needed to do was get it towed. When I towed it over to the dealer, they told me that it was not covered under the recall and that i would have to pay out of pocket. I have an invoice or the tow and the PAID tie rod that i had to end up getting. Even though the recall would have covered it.
Steering, Jan 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Steering, Jan 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2023, crash
Car was in a hit and run accident on June 29, 2023 where another car slid up the whole passenger side of the car damaging the front side so car could not be driven. Car was repaired, given back but not performing correctly. Car was taken back and told unsafe to drive. They did more repairs on the car, gave it back and car still not performing correctly. Car taken back for a second time, deemed unsafe, repaired, and given back. Car still didn't seem to be right. On October 21, 2023 daughter was on the way to Nissan to check out a recall on tie rods because we just got a letter in the mail about them. The car started to vibrate. My daughter tried to pull off the road but the steering would not allow her to control the car. The car ended up in the middle median. She was cut out of the car and has hand injuries. Allstate is working on new claim. Car is total loss. Claim # [XXX] Claim agent :Nina Fandaco INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 31, 2023
Im filing a complaint iv had more recalls on this car then i ever did on any other brand this is the second recall i had for the tire rod which was already replaced with a new version of the original tire rod then they tell me oh u need a new back up camera and front lights that had recalls as well i do not feel safe driving my car and they sai d there is nothing they can do im furious. When i drive my car the wheel is constantly shaking and thats what the notice said to be weary of. As for the emergency breaking its been happening to often when im going down a road the emergency signal goes off and the breaks engage on my car when there is no other veichles around this should deffinatly be looked into
Steering, Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate above 65 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate violently, prompting the contact to decelerate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the passenger’s side tie rod. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Steering, Oct 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was play inside the steering column. The dealer performed a complementary alignment check. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,037. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was a vibration in the steering wheel. The contact stated that while following the roadway in a left or right turn, the front tires started to vibrate, which made steering and controlling the vehicle very difficult. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the vehicle front tie rods needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that there was a recall for the failure. The contact then remembered receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Oct 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was turned, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated his son slowed down the vehicle to make a turn. The contact's son stated he heard a loud noise and the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated his son parked the vehicle and the contact's son noticed that the front passenger side tire was flat. The contact's son replaced the flat tire with the spare tire. The contact's son drove the vehicle to a local tire shop and purchased a replacement tire. The contact stated that three days later, while the contact's son was driving, the tie rod fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured tie rod. The tie rod needs replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair did not apply because the driver had to come in contact with a pothole or a curb to cause the damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 18,500. VIN Tool Confirms Parts Not Available
Steering, Oct 10, 2023
My car was taken to Nissan dealership three times and I was told it was safe to drive as they felt it was the recall for tie rod ends that have not been released for replacement at this time. I continued to have issues but was waiting to have tie rod ends replaced. I was turning into my driveway at a low rate of speed when I felt and heard a pop in my front end. After the pop I could move my steering wheel to either side approximately three inches and hear and feel the front end pop. The car is presently at Gateway Nissan in Greeneville TN. I am getting a run around from Nissan at this time as to wether they will pay for the car to be fixed or not. Gateway Nissan has inspected the car and diagnosed the failure of the steering rack. The attached video shows the third time the vibration occurred and the sound is the vibration which did not stop until the car stopped. I was sent out being told it was perfectly safe to drive. This occurred on Sept, 13, 2023 while car was still under warranty. Their phone number is 423-639-5151
Steering, Sep 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V5815000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Sep 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front passenger's side wheel was wobbling excessively. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the inner tie rod was out of the boot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Steering, Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering and there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the inner tie rod had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the dealer for the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown diagnostic was made. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer, where it remained for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made clicking sounds while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a loosened tie rod. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Steering, Lane departure, Aug 20, 2023
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.
Steering, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 19, 2023
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.
Steering, Suspension, Forward collision avoidance, May 25, 2023
Tie rod end snapped/car will stop out of no where
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 18, 2023
I purchased this vehicle new (172 miles) from a dealership that also sells used cars. The vehicle was driven from a dealership about 75 miles away from where I purchased the car. I was told the other miles were from test drives. I think the car salesman switched cars after the test-drive, while I was calling my insurance company (can't prove it). I never returned to that dealership. I took my car to a dealership closer to my home for service several times. The automatic braking system, forward collision warning, the adaptive cruise control all malfunction on a regular basis. The service person told me that Nissan couldn't service these issues without the manufacture of the braking systems approval. The dealership gave me paperwork on my first complaint- no repairs were made. The dealership gave me paperwork on my second visit stating intermittent electrical issues- no repairs were made. I did not receive paperwork on my 3rd visit. My 3year/36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty (that never got used) has expired. I decided to live with these issues because the car runs well- getting a lawyer seems pointless. I took my car to a different dealership (over 45 miles away) because of the steering. I was told that it would cost me $170 for diagnosis. I agreed to the charge. The service person then had me call Nissan to get a work order number ( I found that very odd) Why didn't the service person call Nissan? A mechanic looked at the car and told me that I need a new power steering rack and that it isn't covered under warranty. I asked about the recall on the tie rod ends. I was told the tie rod ends have no bearing (ha,ha) on the power steering rack. I was told the power steering rack would cost $2,800 to have installed. The mechanic said he wouldn't drive the car because a wheel might come off while driving. I wasn't charge for my visit and didn't receive any paperwork. My car is parked in my garage with 47,xxx miles on it and is unsafe to drive.
Steering, Mar 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger’s side front wheel bearing and passenger’s side front axle were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power of steering assist. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V461000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.