2020 NISSAN SENTRA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    adas collision warning

    48 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    49
    incidents
    Typical range: 1,500–9,000 mi

    Median 4,000 mi, based on 30 reports (71% had no usable mileage)

    • "PURCHASED CAR IN OCTOBER 2020. CAR STARTED BRAKING INVOLUNTARY WHILE DRIVING 10-25 MPH. NO OBJECTS WERE IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THIS HAPPENED ON MY LAST VEHICLE AND NISSAN HAD A MAJOR RECALL TO CHANGE THE SENSORS/CAMERA. AT THIS TI…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1721459
    • "THE FRONT RADAR (OBSTRUCTION DETECTOR) IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY BREAK EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN FEBRUARY 2021. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INITIALLY BRUSHED ME OFF…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1740292
    • "THE CAR BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN NOTHING IS AROUND . I WAS ON CITY STREET"~9,000 mi, complaint #1733084
    • "COLLISION ALARM SOUNDS, BRAKES ARE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED CAR ALMOST STOPS WHEN THERE IS NOTHING CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN APRIL 2020. IT HAS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, SOMETIMES IN AN URBAN A…"~11,500 mi, complaint #1673282
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the self-driving feature inadvertently activated, and the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The traction control warning light was illuminated. Additionall…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1880278
  2. #2

    power windows and locks

    19 unsafe, 2 broken, 2 annoyance

    23
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 15 mph the rear passenger side child safety lock did not activate and the 9-year-old grandchild was able to open the rear passenger side door. The cause of the failure…"~39,800 mi, complaint #1791723
  3. #3

    backup camera

    10 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE BACK UP CAMERA FAILS TO DISPLAY. THE CAMERA GOES OUT FOR DAYS AT A TIME. WHEN IT COMES BACK ON IT WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN FAILS AGAIN"~3,600 mi, complaint #1702077
    • "BACK CAMERA AND FRONT ONE DOES NOT WORK, IN AUGUST WHEN THE WEATHER WENT TO 122 DEGREES CAMARA WENT BLUE, THE I WENT TOOK IT ON THE SECOND WEE OF 10/16/2020. TORRE NISSAN KEPT THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND THEN GAVE IT BACK TO ME SAYING THE ENGEENIERS HAVE FOUND NO S…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1700966
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that their backup camera would fail to display the rear view intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V628000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated the failure…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1955261
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera image failed to display. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was repaired under warranty; however, the failure…"~32,440 mi, complaint #2161538
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was reversing from a driveway, a Springfield Public School bus crashed into the rear of the vehicle. There was no beeping sound from the camera alerting the driver of an oncoming vehi…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1984639
  4. #4

    steering rack mechanical

    15 unsafe, 1 broken

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 40,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 6, 2020. I LEFT MY PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED UP WARWICK AVE, TOWARDS FRANKLIN ST AND I SLOWED TO GO OVER A BUMP , WHEN I WENT OVER THE BUMP AS I HAVE MANY TIMES , MY STEERING WHEEL SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT , SENDING ME INTO A PARKED CAR…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1717940
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while reversing to park the vehicle, the vehicle spun out. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where she was informed…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1755255
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made clicking sounds while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a loosened tie rod. The contact was in…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1921184
  5. #5

    other

    3 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "VEHICLE DELIVERED WITH 220 MILES FROM DEALER AT 5:30PM. AWOKE FOLLOWING MORNING AND IT REGISTERED 221 MILES. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN LOCKED GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND NEVER DRIVEN. "complaint #1737682
    • "Locks on doors would not work with remote, and to get out keys to get fixed. When to Nissan 2 times for them to fix. Dark at night could not get in car safely. No warning signs Windows would not go up or down, had to get windows fixed, due to rain can h…"complaint #1801320
    • "UNKNOWN While switching gears from Park to drive and any other gears my gear shift lifts out of the column. Apparently the pins become loose that hold the gear shift together. This causes the gear shift to completely come out of the gear column and may cause…"complaint #1840854
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V5815000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer h…"complaint #1930435
    • "I have been trying to get my car fixed for the tire rod recall and to this date 5/4/2024 they cant fix it and send me on my way this is outrageous i already had this replaced once a few years ago when i was originally leasing this they need to be quicker 9 mon…"complaint #1989097
  6. #6

    lighting exterior

    3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AFTER PURCHASING THE 2020 NISSAN SENTRA. I NOTICED THE LED HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT AT PROJECTING ON THE ROAD CORRECTLY. COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL BULBS AND OTHER SEDANS OF YEAR 2020 MODELS. I COMPLAINED TO NISSAN WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE LEFT HEA…"~1,275 mi, complaint #1726916
    • "DURING THE DAY WHEN RAINING OR SNOWING & WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USED, HEADLIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO COME ON AUTOMATICALLY AFTER SEVERAL WIPERS SWISHES. I'M HAVING TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON MANUALLY (STATE LAW LIGHTS MUST BE ON WHEN WIPERS ON). THERE'S NO CONSU…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1743128
  7. #7

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger’s side front wheel bearing and passenger’s side front axle we…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1884062
  8. #8

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the front passenger’s side tie rod fractured rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the damaged tie rod and the…"~12,500 mi, complaint #1763522
  9. #9

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On May 23, 2023, I have parked to pick up a grocery order. I did not shut the engine off. Once the order was loaded, I put my car in reverse. The car started to back up, and then completely shut off. An error message related to the key fob came on. I was able…"complaint #1897249
    • "6 months after purchasing my car off the show room floor the key fob stop locking my doors. "complaint #2061746
    • "I purchased my car with 7 miles in it. Within 3 months of having it the key fog stopped locking the doors. Went to the dealership and they did nothing but told me it would be $174 a door to fix. With a car on the show room floor you shouldn't be having issue…"complaint #2193846
  10. #10

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I got this vehicle pre owned by Carvana. My rear and head lights flicker off and on with any one touching them. My power inside the car like for the radio, heating and cooling will stop working for a few days and randomly come on when it wants. Then local Nis…"complaint #1969207
    • "I purchased m 2020 Nissan Sentra brand new off the showroom floor from Modern Nissan of Winston Salem in April. On [XXX] (in examining the first invoice, the date is incorrect) with only 28, 778 miles my car would not start however, an engine malfunction light…"complaint #2104760
    • "I started hearing a swishing noise like water, i didn't think anything of it till i opened my back driver side door and heard the swishing again. My friend lifted the weather stripping on bottom of door and a-lot of water came gushing out. It had rained alot t…"complaint #2124467
  11. #11

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Malfunction Brakes from glares on the road (especially in the rain) And now has a Malfunction warning."complaint #2001590
    • "My ABS has messed up multiple times often after traction control is lost I have been lucky enough to not be injured YET this is my daily driver and im self employed and am currently paying almost 1k a month for this car so im forced to drive it even with the…"complaint #2142875
  12. #12

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact noticed a vibration while depressing on the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to continue to drive to her destination; however, the failure persisted. The contact…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1769374
  13. #13

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "As we were driving on the highway we noticed a sound in the engine very rubbery. The car started to jerk and we were able to move the car to the side of the road. We were not able to easily drive the car anymore and had to get it towed. The engine and brake li…"complaint #1843537
    • "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. "complaint #2023049
  14. #14

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle first developed a issue the following day I got it. The first issue was "Engine Malfunction, Power Reduced, Service Now". So I took it to the service center at Mossy Nissan in El Cajon, CA where they service the vehicle, but I continued to get that e…"complaint #1779896
    • "There has been numerous battery drains, can't charge phone without draining battery. I got and error code P062F Internal Control Module EEPROM. ERROR. and a battery power supply error code "complaint #1996951
  15. #15

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Nissan has replaced the door actuators on the front left, front right, back left, and back right multiple times, but the issues persist. The malfunctioning door locks pose a serious safety risk, particularly for children who may open the doors while the vehicl…"complaint #2063803
    • "I was trapped in my vehicle when my door would not open. I attempted to unlock the door with the key fab, manually, and from reaching through the window and trying from the outside. Despite the lock mechanism showing that the door was unlocked, the door woul…"complaint #2108176
  16. #16

    engine internal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering with an abnormal rattling sound coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted; h…"~28,879 mi, complaint #2112323
  17. #17

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "car died wont start until jumped has done it 3 times "complaint #1894508
    • " I was at a stop light in a busy area and I got a message saying critical engine malfunction warning, engine power reduced. I had to floor the car to get it to 5 mph, then when I got it in the only minimally safe area I could the emergency braking system was…"complaint #2068184
  18. #18

    starter

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY PUSH BUTTON START IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON BUT CAR DOESN'T START. I HAVE TO PUSH THE START BUTTON AGAIN TO GET THE CAR TO START. A COUPLE OF TIMES LAST WEEK THE CAR TURNED OVER ONC…"complaint #1926307
    • "The starter and electric problems. The vehicle has been serviced 5 or 6 times each with the problem the issues has not been resolved. Is there a recall in any of the said problems above. No, incident occurred, it is a repair failure. Problem has not been fixe…"complaint #2097891
  19. #19

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the con…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1990239
  20. #20

    transmission cvt

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "1) The front passenger door will not open. This is a recurring problem and I have experienced it four times already. 2) CVT Malfunction warning is persistent. CVT resets when the engine is turned off and comes back on after about 10 to 15 minutes after the e…"complaint #1854352
    • "On Sept 25 23 I was driving and the engine light came on the car stalled in traffic and would not move when I tried to go forward the car would not move. I called my insurance roadside service they had to tow the car to the dealer. The dealer said the cause o…"complaint #1996991
  21. #21

    adas blind spot

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS SWITCHING LANES AND THE CAR BLIND SPOT SENSOR USUALLY TELLS ME WHEN SOMEONE IS IN MY BLIND SPOT BUT WHEN I WAS SWITCHING LANES TODAY IT FAILED TO TELL ME, THEREFORE RESULTING IN ME GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR"~4,000 mi, complaint #1662265
  22. #22

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CRASH WARNING LIGHT, BLIND SIDE LIGHT, AND LANE DEPARTURE NOT WORKING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND SYSTEMS NO LONGER OPERATING.. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO GET CAMERA RECALIBRATION. WORKED FOR 2 DRIVING TRIPS, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON FOLLOWING MORNING."~4,200 mi, complaint #1673771
  23. #23

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On July 16 2021, I took my car to the dealer for an oil change and for a recall on a bent tie rod. They told me my tie rod was fine and did nothing. On November 15, I took my car back because my wheel was vibrating. They said my hub bearing assembly is loose s…"complaint #1782078
  24. #24

    brake hydraulics

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My car on two occasions came to a stop while driving . Nothing was in front of me at all. A flashing light came on on the dashboard and my car came to a hault. This was very frightening and now I am afraid to drive the car. The dealership said nothing they can…"complaint #1832944
  25. #25

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Brake caliper piston popped out of brake caliper"complaint #2083306
  26. #26

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The cruise control stopped working and there is a collision/crash malfunction."complaint #1960434
  27. #27

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Catastrophic failure today. Car was towed with special tow truck to dealer after hours. Will know more tomorrow. While driving Passenger right front tire: upper tie rod broke, lower control arm broke, trans-axel broke, smoke came out of hood. Right before t…"complaint #1931729
  28. #28

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle is burning oil too fast. First 2 oil changes seems normal but after the next few oil change seem to last a shorter time. Know it’s only lasting 6 weeks.keep getting service know message even though it just went threw service a few days ago Getting chec…"complaint #1964056
  29. #29

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My vehicle is a 2020 Nissan Sentra SV | Vin # [XXX] | I have about 7,200 Miles on my vehicle. It is making a weird noise within the front end or sides of the vehicle. I've reported it to the Nissan Dealership by the name of Joeten Motors here in the Northern M…"complaint #1835963
  30. #30

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "seatbelt is not matching and staying on as I am driving these vehicle"complaint #2205799
  31. #31

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On June 10 2025 the brake sensor malfunctioned for my 2020 Nissan Sentra This was the secound timeThe first time was about one week before..The brake peddle went down , car brakes ,brakes.I was driving speed limit of 20.There were no cars on the street or obje…"complaint #2103485
  32. #32

    transmission automatic

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Recently I discovered that it's impossible for the home mechanic to check the transmission fluid level for the Nissan Sentra 2020 (and newer). No, I'm not talking about the removal of the transmission dipstick. What I am talking about is the fact that Nissan…"complaint #1971222
  33. #33

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I had brought my car up to the dealership for an oil change, and they said there was a recall on the tie rods. They said they checked them out, but never gave me paperwork for it. And I’ve looked it up and it said no recall have been serviced on. A week or two…"complaint #1775946

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for NISSAN SENTRA directly.