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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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 · Jul 22, 2024
Steering

MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. For over a year (with a tie rod unresolved recall due to a "national back order") my young son's Nissan Sentra has consistently made noises and vibrations when he turns at low speeds. My husband repeatedly called the local Nissan Dealership in Pensacola, Sandy Sansing Nissan, citing the recall and the issues …

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MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. For over a year (with a tie rod unresolved recall due to a "national back order") my young son's Nissan Sentra has consistently made noises and vibrations when he turns at low speeds. My husband repeatedly called the local Nissan Dealership in Pensacola, Sandy Sansing Nissan, citing the recall and the issues he was having but was offered no fix. My son was/is having actual safety issues related to the faulty tie rod. We went dealership on January 5, 2024 where they claimed that they fixed the recall, but after, my son noticed no change. Last week July 17, 2024, my son took his Sentra to our local mechanic who we've used and trust for over 20 years, thinking it needed brakes/rotors because the vibration and noise had gotten worse/different. Our local mechanic told him his brakes/rotors were fine but upon inspection said it needed new Rack and Pinion steering, front lower control arms, and left/right CV axles total cost $4600. That afternoon I called the Nissan Dealership, knowing these were related to the recall, and told them what our mechanic said and that we needed the next available appointment. The next morning, Nissan says he needs a new subframe (which he does not need) AND steering rack $5,117.49, Alignment $130 and both CV Axles, but for triple the price that our mechanic quoted. Nissan's total was $9000, and our Nissan service advisor looked up and told us on January 4, they couldn't have fixed the recall since the part isn't available. Now, since the recalled tie rods (that were never fixed) are bad (and the tie rods are directly connected to the steering rack), they have damaged the steering rack. This is my son's first car he financed, and he was so proud of it. The excitement has become a safety nightmare for our whole family. Nissan, please show your customers some integrity. $9,000 bill, but no fix for the recall that caused the issues and could literally cause him (and others) to lose control of the steering at any point and crash?

NHTSA ODI #11603892

80,000 miles · Jul 22, 2024
Steering

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V581000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was n…

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The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V581000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact continued driving the vehicle however, the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer, Pat Fischer Nissan (1128 S Hopkins Ave, Titusville, FL 32780) where it was determined that the tie rod and steering rack needed to be replaced. The repair was pending and the vehicle remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11603778

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2024
Electrical System

The door lock actuators on both of my rear doors suddenly no longer work. When I hit the button to lock all doors, only my 2 front doors lock. My cars 3 year warranty expired about 5 months ago and I have under 19,000 miles on the odometer. This is a safety issue. What if a carjacker walked up to my car while I’m in it, I lock t…

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The door lock actuators on both of my rear doors suddenly no longer work. When I hit the button to lock all doors, only my 2 front doors lock. My cars 3 year warranty expired about 5 months ago and I have under 19,000 miles on the odometer. This is a safety issue. What if a carjacker walked up to my car while I’m in it, I lock the doors, and my back doors don’t lock. I could be killed. Not only that, but my car alarm does not even trigger when I open the back door after locking the car with my key fob!!! AND, I cannot find any 3rd party manufacturers of the needed replacement parts for this issue!!! So Nissan makes additional money off customers who have no other option than to purchase their defective parts for replacement, and the owner REMAINS stuck with the same defective OEM parts after paying hundreds (thousands?) for the required repairs. So Nissan is incentivized to NOT fix this problem, as they instead make more money off of it. Do a quick Google search and other 2020+ Sentra owners are experiencing the same issue. Unacceptable. Nissan needs to manufacture a replacement version of these door lock actuators that are not defective and issue a recall. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI #11603281

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceSteering

The electrical system is a nightmare in this vehicle. My automatic emergency braking system was activating while I was going 60mph on the highway with no vehicles or reasons to have this feature activate. It happened on numerous occasions. I had passengers in the car and they witnessed it. It was very alarming to be cruising …

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The electrical system is a nightmare in this vehicle. My automatic emergency braking system was activating while I was going 60mph on the highway with no vehicles or reasons to have this feature activate. It happened on numerous occasions. I had passengers in the car and they witnessed it. It was very alarming to be cruising along at 50+ mph and the braking system jolted the car to a stop. I also had to replace the battery twice. Had to purchase a portable jump starter. Had to replace alternator. None of these things should be an issue with a 36 mo lease I complained numerous times how I felt the car was a death trap. I asked for a loaner if I left car since it’s a safety hazard and I’m sickly and must get to my dr appts. I was told by dealer that’s not their problem. I broke down at night alone at least 5 times. My gas said a quarter tank yet I broke down for no gas. The radio volume knob never worked. The driver rear door never locked. System malfunction wld constantly flash on my screen. The car made a ticking noise inside when shut down. My heater didn’t work. I opened 2 consumer affairs claims. They put me off everyday. The girl Tyler did NOTHING. This car is a death trap. I think the dealer knew it had electrical problems. I kept car past end of lease for legal proof. I continued to pay. Finally I gave up. 5 hrs b4 inspection they sent a tow truck to take vehicle. I lost all belongings in trunk. They were still using my registration and never contacted me or returned calls or sent any letter to get my belongings. They kept new battery and battery jumper. Plz I need help. Nissan has been nasty to me and my [XXX] mom and instead of offering some money back they want to put me in collections for $1500 for mileage. Which I kept paying lease Plz help us. Nissan resold vehicle. Someone is going to die in that car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11601273

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the i…

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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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11600472

41,000 miles · Jul 5, 2024
Exterior LightingPower Train

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the word "Malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light s…

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The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the word "Malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #11599299

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2024
SteeringWheels

The wheel keeps turning to the right and won't go straight. The wheel makes a clicking noise when it turns. It seems to be something to do with the steering column. Must keep turning the steering wheel to the left for it to work properly. I have replaced the steering gear assembly at my own expense, but the problem has not im…

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The wheel keeps turning to the right and won't go straight. The wheel makes a clicking noise when it turns. It seems to be something to do with the steering column. Must keep turning the steering wheel to the left for it to work properly. I have replaced the steering gear assembly at my own expense, but the problem has not improved, proving to be a design issue near the tire and tie rod. I'm sure the sound is coming from near the tire and tie rod. Yes. I found the recall notice but no solution was given. There doesn't seem to be any plan to fix this design flaw? I need to file a complaint!

NHTSA ODI #11598895

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2024
Forward Collision Avoidance

Malfunction Brakes from glares on the road (especially in the rain) And now has a Malfunction warning.

NHTSA ODI #11595844

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2024
SteeringUnknown Or Other

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 Aut…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11594487

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2024
Electrical System

Windows and locks not working properly, risking trapping passengers or theft.

NHTSA ODI #11593146

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.