KnownCarProblems2021 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Nissan Sentra, most often about the driver assistance (31% of complaints). It is 20th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2021 Nissan Sentra problems
Driver assistance
41 complaints · 31%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, warning, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the instrument panel went black. An unknown warning light then displayed and the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. Immediately after the failure, the vehicle started driving as intended. During the…
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
Steering
40 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, steering wheel/handle bar.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, a crackling type noise was present coming from the steering column and the wheel would not immediately turn. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering box needed to be…
The contact owns a 2021 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The power steering warning light…
Electrical
38 complaints · 29%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…
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his aunt entered the vehicle and attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted or made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Brakes
25 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles.
The contact owned a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in cruise control mode, the brakes applied independently without being depressed. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated, and the cruise control mode was deactivated. The contact made a local dealer…
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the parking braking independently activated. The failure occurred a second time, and the parking brake unintendedly activated. There was no warning light illuminated. On the third occasion, while driving approximately 45…
Other or unspecified
19 complaints · 14%Engine
7 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his aunt entered the vehicle and attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted or made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Lights
6 complaints · 5%Speed control
6 complaints · 5%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Nissan Sentra recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 n
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: driver assistance (41 complaints); steering (40 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles); electrical (38 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Sentra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 8, 2023 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 20th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 132 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.