← New search

2020 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Sentra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 147 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

204 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2024
Visibility/wiper

[XXX] 06/29 637 1). A feature of the Auto Intelligent Headlight feature is not working on 2020 Sentras, all trims. During the daytime (rain or snow) when the windshield wipers are turned on and swish back and forth 4 times, it’s supposed to automatically turn on headlights (which also turns on tail lights so you’re not rear e…

Read full complaint

[XXX] 06/29 637 1). A feature of the Auto Intelligent Headlight feature is not working on 2020 Sentras, all trims. During the daytime (rain or snow) when the windshield wipers are turned on and swish back and forth 4 times, it’s supposed to automatically turn on headlights (which also turns on tail lights so you’re not rear ended). 2). Additionally, when the headlights are in “Headlight” mode (not automatic mode), the owners manual states when the engine is turned off and the door is opened you will get both an alarm chime and a visual warning on the drivers display that lights are on and to turn them off. Just like any normal car going back for 20 years. Well it doesn’t work in 2020 Sentra. Only way I can get feature to chime or show the display warning is to toggle the headlight control switch to “Parking Lights” and back to “Headlights”!. Of course, if I can remember to do that I could remember to turn off the headlights! Auto Intelligent Headlights is explained on the Nissan website, and the 2020 Sentra Brochure States it as a standard feature on all trims. I also have a personal letter from Nissan stating 2020 Sentras have all of this feature. [XXX] Intelligent Auto Headlights | Innovation | Nissan’s Intelligent Auto Headlights: Nissan’s various technologies, including electrification, autonomous drive, connected car & service, mobility service, and energy management, are introduced. [XXX] [XXX] It doesn’t work. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs, after 2 months and being handed off to 2 customer service reps they finally sent a Corp DTS Rep to look at car. After 4 hrs examining it, he contacted the internal only “Nissan Tech Talk”, only for Nissan mechanics and you must have a dealer code to access, not for the public. Turns out, they knew that due to a new wiring system in the 2020 Sentra’s those features and a fog light auto feature don’t work! Apparently it’s a defect, I was never notified they INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11620197

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2024
EnginePower TrainStructure

This Vehicle was bought back in Jun of this year. Since purchasing the vehicle with only 49,933 miles this Sentra has broken down 4 times, been in the shop for 1Month 2weeks consecutively. The first incident was 4.5 hrs after purchase. The Passenger side Tide Rod snapped in half on the highway causing the jam and slow down along…

Read full complaint

This Vehicle was bought back in Jun of this year. Since purchasing the vehicle with only 49,933 miles this Sentra has broken down 4 times, been in the shop for 1Month 2weeks consecutively. The first incident was 4.5 hrs after purchase. The Passenger side Tide Rod snapped in half on the highway causing the jam and slow down along with leaving me in fear for my life. The passenger rim was inverted facing the driver. The second time happened to be the same issue but at a different dealership. The car went to Moss Bros San Bernardino where it was bought and was there for about 25days .Later it was sent to Nissan of San Bernardino and was there for 2weeks. The same day It got picked up from Nissan it was taken back the same day. Had same Bumpy and shaking throughout the car. When the tie rod snapped in half it had destroyed the durability of the belt and pulley systems as the vehicle weight was slammed abruptly onto the passenger side of the car leaving it slanted and slid for 2-3 mins on the freeway this caused the engine to become weak which led up to the defective parts breaking over time of driving regularly. The Alternator Pulley, Serpentine Belt, Axle, and balance to become uneven. So as of 09/10 this vehicle has broke down 4-5 times. Been in the shop since. The vehicle has Powertrain warranty but as usual they denied coverage. Total cost is around $2,700 in damages due to the original recall. This Tie rod recall has destroyed the vehicle. Congratulation to me cause I still owe 22K. This hazardous, and dangerous vehicle has also been deemed unsafe by CHP as of 06/11/2024. This particularly Sentra is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode on the freeway.

NHTSA ODI #11615120

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2024
Electrical System

I was driving in town, alternator decided to quit working, car went into limp mode on a busy street and I was nearly rear-ended.

NHTSA ODI #11613298

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2024
Unknown Or Other

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 issu…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11612513

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2024
Unknown Or Other

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 th…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11610554

114,000 miles · Aug 20, 2024
Steering

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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reas…

Read full complaint

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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. Additionally, there was a clicking sound while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 114,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11609680

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2024
Steering

Still no fixture for the tie rods its been a year this is rediciolous its the second time i had them replaced

NHTSA ODI #11609574

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2024
Unknown Or Other

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.…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #11609477

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2024
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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 offer…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11608811

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2024
Steering

I got a recall notice on the tie rods of my car the recall started in August 2023 it is now August 2024 and the dealership states to me that they still do not have the parts to fix my recall

NHTSA ODI #11606486

Official recalls

4

23V628000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

23V581000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Aug 15, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

22V244000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Apr 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

21V461000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Jun 17, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.