2021 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 131 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 14 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 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
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: electrical system
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 6, 2023
Brake system failed. Car brake petal was all the way to the floor and grinding to stop. The car didn’t fully stop. Car has be inspected 3 times by dealership. No warning lights on. The car automatic brake goes off randomly and breaks out of no where and put me at risk with causing an accident it has been inspected by dealer as well and this continues to happen. Car jerks and looses power while drive check engine light comes on and blinks. The car has been seen twice by dealer for this issue nothing resolved. Almost caused a major accident first time on freeway and again on a busy intersection. Car is very unsafe and not reliable
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2023
Only the driver side window goes up and down. Took it to Nissan dealer and they made it work for that minute and said they were ordering parts, it’s been 3 weeks and haven’t heard of them.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving in a car wash drive-thru line, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated an unknown yellow and black warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was unable to open or start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle jump started. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,765.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2023
Vehicle has a inconsistent overnight battery drain. Called Auto Club for a jump start and technician said some Nissans have been experiencing this issue. Drove the vehicle to get the battery and charging system tested, it passed and no problems were found. There is no pattern and it only happens when the vehicle sits overnight. There is enough power to lock and unlock the vehicle but not enough to start the car. Had to purchase a battery booster/jumper so I wont get stranded and not keep calling Auto Club. Once I jumped it twice in a week, and the most has been 5 weeks without the need to jump start it.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 27, 2023
the car continues to turn off and draining the battery, on the audio there is a constant static, and lights keep shorting out.
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2023
My window on the passanger side does not roll back up. It is stuck in the down position. All my windows do not function with the exception of the driver window.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2022
The air conditioning turns off by itself and the high beams don't work
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2022
I have 2021 Nissan Sentra SR. The automatic engine start does not work all of the time. Contact my dealer and they said there have been a lot of complains about this, did contact Nissan corporation they said brig it to the dealer. I did they do not know what it is? May be the frost on the windshield where the electronics are? Who knows? There is a bulletin about this on 2020 Sentra with same issue. It seems to happen with frost on the windshield.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 9, 2021
10/5/21-FIRST NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHILE BACKING UP VEH. WARNING SIGNAL GOING OFF SHOWING DRIVER SIDE REAR NOTHING BEHIND ME AT THE TIME ALL CLEAR FIGURED IT WAS JUST ? I REVERSED ANYWAY AND TOOK OFF TO STORE WHILE ON MY WAY HOME AROUND 2:30ISH WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30-40MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED THE AUTOMATICE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM RED LIGHTS ON DASH INDICATING IT WAS ACTIVATED AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME! I WAS APPROACHING A RAILROAD CROSSING AT THE TIME I HAD MY SON IN THE FRONT SEAT AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE RELEASED THE BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED HOME OF COURSE I WAS SHAKEN UP AND HAD QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON? TOOK TO DEALER 2 DAYS LATER DEALER KEPT THERE FOR OVER 5 HOURS AND DURING VEH. UPDATES VIA TEXT FROM DEALER WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH NISSAN CORP. VIA EMAIL ON TRYING TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AS TO HOW TO GO ABOUT REPAIRING THE ISSUE, WAS ALSO TOLD TO PICK UP VEH. DRIVE FOR A WEEK AND RETURN TO CHECK IF OTHER CODES WERE NOTED? SO THEY ADMIT THERE WERE CODES INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NOT A WEEK YET TO RETURN TO DEALER UNTIL NEXT WEEK HOWEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MILES A DAY COMMUTE TO WORK AND I AM VERY SCARED THESE DAYS TO DRIVE I ALSO HAVE CLIENTS I MUST TRANSPORT IN MY PERSONAL VEH. FOR WORK PURPOSES WHAT IF SOMEONE GETS HURT? ITS SO STRESSFUL. IM WORRIED!ANY SUGGESTIONS? ALSO, ON NHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND BY VIN NUMBER THE VEH. MADE 2ND,4TH AND 6TH IN ORDER AFTER MINE WHICH IS 0 THIS IS SUSPICIOUS AND TROUBLING.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 28, 2021
Car battery has died 3 times since purchase. Dealership says battery is fine. Have only owned the brand new vehicle about 8 weeks!
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
The vehicle inexplicably drained the battery again. Monday July 12, 2021, the vehicle does not start. I take it to the dealer's service center and they tell me there is no problem with the car or the charging system.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 10, 2021
Suddenly the battery ran out on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 18 days after I bought the car. The car did not want to start from the beeper. When I got into the car to start it, my battery was completely drained. A roadside service technician starts the car with a battery booster. On the way to the auto dealership shop, the vehicle would not accept cruise control. I arrive at the auto dealership workshop and they verify the unit. And according to them it did not duplicate any of the problems that the vehicle presented. Claiming that the charging system was fine and the battery was fine.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2021
Car will not start. Unexplained battery depletion. Trunk will not close when car is not on. Awful customer service at ORR Nissan in Shreveport Louisiana Address: 1240 E Bert Kouns, Shreveport Louisiana, 71105 Their entire operations need to be shut down. Bunch of incompetent druggies.