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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 205

Of the 2020 reports, 8 involved a crash. 2 people were injured.

Primary concernForward collision avoidance60 reports · 29% of complaints
Owner complaints205Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Forward collision avoidance60
  2. Steering55
  3. Other or unspecified47
  4. Electrical system45
  5. Service brakes25
  6. Back over prevention11
  7. Suspension10
  8. Engine9

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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: other or unspecified

47 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Other or unspecified, May 8, 2026

    There has not been an actual incident, door lock actuator stopped working prematurely.

  2. Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Apr 16, 2026

    2020 Nissan Sentra Backup Camera. The camera periodically goes out only displaying a blue screen. Researched and discovered it was a recall. Went to the dealership and asked them and they said my cars recall was marked as completed back in 2023 to which I had no knowledge of. The issue was not resolved and was just marked as cleared without proper inspection. Dealerships are refusing to fix the recall since it was already (incorrectly) marked as complete.

  3. Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2025

    Unknown

  4. Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2025

    DOOR ACTUATORS ARE NOT WORKING NOT LETTING ME LOCK OR OPEN THE DOORS ON MY FRONT PASSNEGER AND BACK DRIVER SIDE

  5. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2025

    I started hearing a swishing noise like water, i didn't think anything of it till i opened my back driver side door and heard the swishing again. My friend lifted the weather stripping on bottom of door and a-lot of water came gushing out. It had rained alot that year. This could cause electrical issues and body rot. Also my car wont start due to not recognizing the fob. I have to disconnect battery snd reconnect to start my car from time to time.

  6. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2025

    I was trapped in my vehicle when my door would not open. I attempted to unlock the door with the key fab, manually, and from reaching through the window and trying from the outside. Despite the lock mechanism showing that the door was unlocked, the door would not open. I attempted to restart the vehicle, but that did not help. I tried several combinations of tactics with no success. I finally had to climb out of the passenger side. I took the car to the dealer where I was informed that the door actuators on both driver's side doors were faulty. All I can think of is what would have happened if the car was on fire or in rising water, and worse, if my children were in the back seat. Or what if I was disabled in some way or elderly? This situation could've been much, much worse. When I contacted Nissan consumer affairs, they refused to take any responsibility for this dangerous design flaw, and I was stuck with a $1500 repair. I hope they are urged to issue a recall.

  7. Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 25, 2025

    The AEB - Automatic Emergency Braking sensors are faulty. The system randomly brakes while I am driving with nothing in the cars path to set it off. It happens frequently and without any seemingly reason. It has become very nerve wracking and potentially dangerous. I brought this issue up to a mechanic at the Nissan repair shop and his response was that the car is no longer under warranty and that I am responsible for what would be a costly repair. He suggested taking the car through the car wash frequently. I constantly wipe the front window where the sensors are located, I find this solution to be unacceptable.

  8. Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2025

    Sometimes the driver door doesn’t lock even after clicking the lock button either on the key fob or on the actual door. The car is five years old and has 60,000 miles on it.

  9. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Jun 10, 2025

    back up camera not working

  10. Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2025

    The starter and electric problems. The vehicle has been serviced 5 or 6 times each with the problem the issues has not been resolved. Is there a recall in any of the said problems above. No, incident occurred, it is a repair failure. Problem has not been fixed and diver has been back and forth to the dealer over and over with same problem, the diver wants to know if there are recalls on ignition or starter problems and electrical problems. Said vehicle is not in running condition, it is at the dealers as now.

  11. Other or unspecified, May 18, 2025

    Rear drivers side door doesn't unlock.

  12. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 2, 2025

    The back up camera stops working for awhile. Sensors work but no rear camera pops up when in Reverse.

  13. Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2025

    Nissan has replaced the door actuators on the front left, front right, back left, and back right multiple times, but the issues persist. The malfunctioning door locks pose a serious safety risk, particularly for children who may open the doors while the vehicle is in motion. Additionally, there is the risk of doors failing to secure properly, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to vandalism or theft. This ongoing problem presents significant safety and security concerns that require immediate attention.

  14. Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2025

    6 months after purchasing my car off the show room floor the key fob stop locking my doors.

  15. Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2025

    My cars door locks are failing prematurely. The front drivers door stopped work entirely even with a key and when I looked the issue up online I found that a number of other people are having the same issue with their 2020 Sentras as well. The door locks started failing within 2 years of owning the car. This car hasn't even hit 100,000 miles yet.

  16. Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2024

    Rear door no longer wants to lock automatically

  17. Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2024

    every since i got this $22,000 car, my backup camera has not worked. when i back up, the screen turns blue. first time i went to the nissan dealership they said there was a recall on the camera but because the one time it works, its at the dealership so they didn’t fix it. i bring it back a few months later to get the suspension recalled fix and tell them my back up camera doesn’t work. i have photo evidence showing everytime it doesn’t work and now they said there’s no recall it’ll cost $300 to replace. i’ve had this car for 3 months. i wouldn’t recommend anyone buy a car from nissan.

  18. Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2024

    Issues with the door.. My key can’t open the driver door with the unlock button.. Also back door has same issue .. Had it fixed on passenger door when I have warranty but issue keeps happening ..

  19. Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2024

    doors do not lock. Doors on drivers' side does not lock on multiple 2020 Nissan Sentra's. Actuators are failing on the doors and causing them to not lock with remote or without remote and making it easily for someone to steal or damage vehicle. Vehicle has been inspected by Nissan and are trying to get $300 to diagnose the issue and then another $600-$1,000 to fix the issue. Requesting this be a recall item for 2020 Nissan Sentra.

  20. Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2024

    The rear back up camera had a recall on my car. I took it to the dealer to have it replaced. The camera would sometimes work and sometimes not work. When it wasn’t working the screen would either remain black or royal blue showing no picture at all. When I arrived at the Wesley Chapel Nissan in Wesley Chapel Fl I explained to them that the camera does not work correctly and that I had been notified by mail that my car had a recall with the camera according to my VIN number. The dealership looked at my car and stated that the camera was working fine. They then closed the case and marked it as being repaired. The camera on my car had never been fixed. I took my car to them at a later date for an oil change and explained the camera was not working. They once again said they would look at it. They never fixed the camera just said nothing was wrong with it. A few more months had passed and the camera was not working at all. I called to ask if they’d look at it again and they told me there would be a charge. I didn’t take the car in because I didn’t feel I should have to pay a diagnostic fee for something they should have fixed prior. I brought my car to them once again for an oil change and asked them to look at it again. This time they said the camera was not working but they couldn’t do anything because the case was closed. I called Nissan motor company, they opened a case and said they would look into it and I would have to apply for financing. At this point I was livid. They ended up stating that I would have to pay for half of the repairs for something that was recalled. I called the local dealer today to see if there was anything else that could be done because they are the ones who closed the recall. They said they couldn’t help me. I am driving a 2020 Nissan Sentra. There was never any warning lamps stating the camera was failing. The screen goes to blue when put in reverse.

  21. Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2024

    When I shift the car into reverse, the screen turns blue, rendering the camera completely unusable. This malfunction is extremely concerning as it creates a significant hazard when backing up, particularly in areas with pedestrians or other vehicles. The inability to see what is behind my car puts me and others at serious risk. Without a functioning rearview camera, I am at risk of accidentally hitting a person, especially a child or someone walking behind my vehicle. The blue screen also makes it difficult to judge the proximity of other cars or obstacles, increasing the likelihood of a collision. There was a recall issued for this exact issue in September 2023. My car was inspected by a Nissan dealership as part of this recall; however, no parts were replaced during the inspection. Despite the recall service, the issue with the rearview camera persists and is causing considerable concern. Given the severity of the problem and its potential to cause accidents, I believe the recall was insufficient in addressing the underlying issue. Simply inspecting the camera without replacing any parts has not resolved the problem

  22. Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2024

    I bought my car in June 2023 and I’ve been having problems with my steering wheel. The dealership's goal was to fix that issue. They said they fixed it, but I’ve been having the same issue since I bought the car. They had me pay a $500 deductible to fix the same issue since I bought it. Today is August 15, and they haven’t offered to fix it. I believe they are taking advantage of the fact that I’m young, and I'm very aware that I’m paying $27,000 for this car. Please help me I believe the previous owner lied about what was wrong with the car an I was sold a car with unseen issue that the dealership fails to disclose to me, I believe fail to hold there end of the contract.

  23. Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2024

    My front passenger tire rod on my Nissan broke while backing it up out of my driveway in Gillette,Wy. So I contacted the Nissan dealer in Casper,WY and they informed it was on a recall. So I had Quality Auto in Gillette, Wy take it to Vista Nissan in Casper, Wy and they informed me that they could not fix it because Quality Auto welded the tire rod together to get it on to the trailer.

  24. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2024

    There has been numerous battery drains, can't charge phone without draining battery. I got and error code P062F Internal Control Module EEPROM. ERROR. and a battery power supply error code

  25. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2024

    I bought my car in June23 I’ve been having a lot of issue with the car dealership fail uphold there end of the contract