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: other or unspecified
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2026
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2026
The passenger front, and both back windows no longer function. This appears to be a common issue when searching the internet. There is also an issue with the keyless start, as it often does not recognize that the fob is in the vehicle, or gives a low batter warning (with a new battery). As there was already a recall on the sensor for the blind spot warnings and such, there appears to be wide spread electrical and sensor issues with this year/make/model. The windows pose a safety risk if someone is trapped in a vehicle that the doors won't open.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2025
purchased my 2021 Nissan Sentra brand new with no prior owner. Around 2023, the air conditioning system stopped working. The AC will not turn on at all the switch or control that activates the system is completely unresponsive. I brought the vehicle to a Nissan dealership, where I was quoted $300 just for a diagnostic test, with no warranty coverage or acknowledgment of a known issue. This failure appears to be linked to a potential electrical fault or defective AC component. It compromises both comfort and safety, especially in extreme temperatures. Numerous complaints online suggest this is a recurring issue among Sentra owners, yet Nissan has not issued a recall for the AC system. I am submitting this report to request an investigation into a possible manufacturing defect and to advocate for a formal recall.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2025
I've had multiple issues with my vehicle since I purchased the brand new car in 2021. - One year after purchase, I was left stranded when my alternator stopped working. - In 2023, I went i took my car to the Georgesville Nissan dealership in Columbus Ohio to get another key programmed. A process that should of taken one day took several weeks because my Vin# was not properly registered to my vehicle. This is a major safety issue, had something happened to my car (damage, theft, etc.) its possible that it could not have been identified, fixed properly. - I was also just made aware (after being stranded when my battery went out) that the wrong manuafacturer batter was installed in my vehicle. It should have been AMG and it was a flooded battery in my car. I had several technicians verify that it was an original battery that should have never been installed. This is a safety issue, I am not fully aware to the extent of how an incorrect battery may have damaged or corroded other compenets of my vehicle prematurely.
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2025, crash
Vehicle: 2021 Nissan Sentra VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Description: On [XXX], the front tie rod on my 2021 Nissan Sentra suddenly failed while I was driving, causing me to lose control of the vehicle and sideswipe a parked car. This mechanical failure led to an accident, property damage, and a traffic citation for careless operation. My insurance premiums have since increased and the citation remains on my driving record. In August 2023, Nissan issued a recall for this exact defect. I believe this failure directly matches the safety defect now acknowledged in the recall. Had I been notified earlier, the accident and its consequences could have been prevented. I am requesting this complaint be added to the case record for the ongoing recall investigation. Documentation is available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2025
As I was driving home on the highway, something happened with my car where I couldn't control the car. It swerved back and forth on it's own until it finally stopped and cut off on it's own. There were no messages or symptoms prior to the failure. My car has been with Nissan who said they were going to investigate it and I cannot get a call back from Nissan Consumer Affairs.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2024
The steering wheel is shaking and vibrates making it worse when i accelerate and also when I turn.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2024
Only the drivers window works. The passenger and 2 rear windows won't go up or down.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 9, 2024
The automated break system came on while I was driving 2 times within 3 days without anything being in front, the back or on the side of the car. When this happened there was a few beeping noise and a quick red flash on the dashboard that said maintenance.This started happening the next day after getting an oil change from the Nissan dealership. My safety was at risked because when the car suddenly and unexpectedly stopped it jerked my body forward causing my neck to become sore. This can cause greater injury or worst if I was going any faster. If someone was behind me it could cause them to crash into me which would be doing the opposite of the purpose of the safety feature. I took the car in to the dealership and nothing could be done because there wasn't a code and it didn't happen in the presence of the mechanic. It could be a sensor issue but I don't know and the mechanics seem to be just as clueless and very dismissive. I find this to be unacceptable that I must drive around with a car that can break abruptly at any given time. I do not feel safe driving this car and it should be a safety recall on this issue. I looked online and seen other people complaining about the same issue so I'm sure Nissan knows what's going on and aren't doing anything about it.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2024
Unknown
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2024
I am simply writing this complaint because the recall says I should if I feel the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy the recall in a timely manner. This recall is over 6 months old with no current remedy available. After 6 months, I would expect a recall that cites a potential increase of a crash to be addressed in a much quicker manner.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 22, 2023
So while driving my car, no car infront of or anything running out in the road. Going 45 mph my car automatically slammed on brakes by itself. Causing the car behind me to swing around me to avoid hitting me in my rear. A similar situation happened back in May 2023 resulting me to put the car in the shop & was told it was corrected.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 11, 2023
Automatic emergency braking has happened 3 times in the last 2 months without any reason. The 1st time there was a person who stepped off a side walk but I wasn’t to close to them. The last 2 times there was nothing around and all 3 times I was doing 40 or less. What happens if it happens doing 65+ on the highway. I’m worried this is going to cause someone to rear end me because it happens so suddenly with no warning really. I have made an appointment with the dealership.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2023
I bought this car and have had issues with the heat not working. The air not working and now the latest the windows not working. A few months ago the windows stopped working when it was 40-45 degrees or colder out. Now today I went to open the windows and at 80 degrees they won't open. This is a major safety concern if a accident occurs and people can't get out. The dealership has looked at all issues and claim nothing is wrong every time.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2023
Every since I bought my car there has been times were my car refused to start. Every time it happened my car was sitting in park for about 10-15 minutes and I would turn off my car but when the time to turn on came it started to seem like my battery was dying and would not start. I had to wait 30 minutes to an hour before it would start again. The second time it did this which was 1 week ago, my car started reading system malfunction I have pictures and videos.I was able to get my car to get to Nissan after a jumpstart. Of course I assumed it was the battery however Nissan said my battery was in perfect health and is not dying. They proceeded to do a diagnostic but again they said they could not replicate the problem and was unable to find out what was wrong with my car. My concern started to rise when two days ago I turned on my car and it was on and not in idle but it started to read malfunction then said not available system malfunction. This happened without it even sitting in idle. I am concern that my car will do this while I’m on the road and shut down. I was unable to upload the video.
Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2022
The windows will not go down only the driver front side goes down and I bought this car brand new with only 6 miles on it
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 3, 2022, crash, fire
My accident was with Nissan Sentra veering out of control. I was lucky, see others who weren’t in past few weeks: https://kfoxtv.com/amp/news/local/deadly-accident-in-collision-on-i-10-at-lee-trevino https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/02/03/maryville-man-dies-after-car-lands-little-river/ https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/maryville-man-killed-in-single-vehicle-crash/article_aa06d64b-879e-5544-b0f0-4146ff9fc63b.html https://www.mymoinfo.com/arnold-woman-seriously-injured-in-141-accident/ https://www.13newsnow.com/amp/article/news/local/peninsulanow/deadly-vehicle-crash-fire-york-county-virginia/291-4ec8fe5a-fd6d-4058-ac6a-cbb007c04f76 https://www.kwch.com/2022/02/02/accidents-reported-across-state/ https://www.wibw.com/2022/02/03/vehicle-hits-wichita-police-car-that-stopped-assist-motorist/ https://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/train-video-car-went-around-crossing-arms-in-fatal-crash/article_6c7ceb71-c21a-514b-9cd1-9b775fe8a010.html https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/ny-man-taken-to-hospital-with-life-threatening-injures-following-crash-on-i-78-in/article_799d04b4-7c52-11ec-a7c7-5fe7f2b50ccf.html https://kfoxtv.com/amp/news/local/deadly-accident-in-collision-on-i-10-at-lee-trevino https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/victims-of-deadly-i-95-crash-identified/amp/ https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/accidents/arnold-woman-seriously-hurt-in-crash-near-fenton/article_7c734224-8464-11ec-a207-73e06d9d32ee.html https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/01/27/crash-shuts-down-hawaii-islands-highway-11-keeau/ Nissan Sentra’s have lost control resulting in fatal crashes against guardrail, train, snowbank, tree (fire), garbage truck, patrol car(s), highway wall, jeep, pedestrian, & some drove into a ditch, little river, river bank, heavy duty truck, injured police officer. Humble Request to investigate please: Nissan recalls + reported accident’s in past month (+ unreported\private), only NHTSA can identify a pattern
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.