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2021 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 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

Limited mileage data: 21 of 131 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Steering. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2026
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11760768

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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 senso…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11720638

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11698858

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2025
Unknown Or Other

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 t…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11675277

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2025
Unknown Or OtherCrash

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 careles…

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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)

NHTSA ODI #11664355

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2025
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

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 canno…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11636294

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2024
SteeringUnknown Or Other

The steering wheel is shaking and vibrates making it worse when i accelerate and also when I turn.

NHTSA ODI #11598205

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Only the drivers window works. The passenger and 2 rear windows won't go up or down.

NHTSA ODI #11590384

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesUnknown Or Other

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 N…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11581894

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11580294

Official recalls

3

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.

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.