This 2021 model shows average reliability, primarily driven by 3 recalls affecting the steering system.
Key Factor:steering recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (3) than the average NISSAN vehicle (1.3). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
3 recalls for this vehicle1.3 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
Brake and steering systems are the foundation of vehicle control. Issues in these areas directly influence insurance risk assessments.
Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.
Focus Area:critical safety systems
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.3)
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Summary:
Safety & Reliability Score
66/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-24
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-5
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 NISSAN Sentra
Model Year2021
MakeNISSAN
ModelSentra
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more →
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb22
ISSUEFirst Report
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Aug23
RECALLRecall Issued
Consumer Complaint Analysis
⚠️
Most Reported Issue
24 complaints (24% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
1(1%)
🟡Medium
30(30%)
🟢Low
69(69%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 20k-40k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 35,582 miles.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 24 of 100 complaints (24% coverage)
0-20k
7 reports (29%)
20k-40k
8 reports (33%)
40k-60k
4 reports (17%)
60k-80k
4 reports (17%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
1 reports (4%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
STEERINGBACK OVER PREVENTION
Official Safety Recalls (3)
Campaign: 21V461000
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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Summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V581000
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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Summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V628000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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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."
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
1 investigation
Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 Sentra.
INV-2021-1000🟢 Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Sentra performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 32,330
Consumer Complaints
100 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Sentra.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning24%
Accident12%
Crash/Accident10%
Battery9%
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased brand new with 0 miles. The system malfunction popped up and engine would not turn over after running perfectly fine a hour prior.Had to get towed to dealership and found a faulty battery luckily I still had 100 or so miles left on my warranty.Happened again last month the same exact thing except this time I had to get a jump off after several minutes the engine finally turned over.
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I got in the car to start it and it would not start. This happened at the car wash one morning. It didn’t give me any warnings of a bad battery and the only way I started it was to have someone jump it. This has happened 4 times now. It takes several minutes for the battery to charge to start the car. I have been stranded 2 times and could not get to work on time 2 times.
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
ENGINE
While driving down the highway along with other traffic the car went into limp mode and lost power instantly almost causing an accident. Come to find out the engine bearings caused the engine to go on it without any warning signs. This car has been maintenanced and taken care of and had the same issue happen that the other nissans have had that they have the recall out for.
Steering/Suspension🔶 Medium
STEERING
Electric steering rack has play and causes violent shaking. Huge safety risk as this could have complete failure and cause accidents. Vehicle started showing symptoms at 68,000 miles and after reading separate forums, many others have experienced these same issues. No warning lights appear on the dash and no inspection by safety highway patrol. This is a serious issue especially given I do not appear to be the only person experiencing this. The steering and suspension seem to be a common issue on this call given the recall on the tie rods.
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN 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 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.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,LANE DEPARTURE
The check engine light comes on with a malfunction symbol. The car has delay acceleration, jerks, hard shifts.
Since having my Nissan 2021 Sentra I have for one, had to replace the battery in it twice. On a more serious note, it is now stopping the car at random and unnecessary times stating an object is in front of me. It happens once a while ago and I did not have any other signs, and it was just for a second, so I tried not to stress about it. Now it is happening more often and just this morning happened three times. Causing my car to come to a complete stop, it is very dangerous and I am not sure what I am to do about it.
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Passenger side power windows and driver side rear window on occasion will stop working.
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I and many others have noticed that the 2020+ Nissan Sentra has a very common issue with its window switch where the driver side window works, but all passenger windows get stuck refusing to roll up or down, or do so very slowly. I have had people try to come up to my window where I could not properly shut it, I have had to leave my window partially open over night, and in the rain.
Electrical⚠️ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The rear door locks on my vehicle fail to lock and unlock properly, especially using the power lock switches or key fob. This is not an occasional issue — it happens every single day. This is a major safety concern because the back doors often cannot be opened at all, which puts my children at risk of being trapped inside during an emergency or accident. In addition, the rear windows frequently get stuck and will not roll down. This is also a daily occurrence. It makes the problem even more dangerous because the windows cannot be used as an emergency exit if the doors fail. These issues are consistent and ongoing. Because the vehicle is used to transport children, the defective door locks and windows create a significant safety hazard that could prevent occupants from exiting the car quickly in an accident, fire, or similar emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2021 NISSAN Sentra?
Yes, the 2021 NISSAN Sentra has 3 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA.
Is the 2021 NISSAN Sentra safe to drive?
The 2021 NISSAN Sentra has 3 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.
Where can I check if my 2021 NISSAN Sentra has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local NISSAN dealer.
📊Year-over-Year Context
➡️Stable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Steering
Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm steering recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all steering recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaigns:21V46100023V581000
2
Back over prevention
Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm back over prevention recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all back over prevention recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaign:23V628000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your NISSAN dealer to verify recall completion status.
🧭What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Verify all 3 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your NISSAN dealer.
If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used
Request documentation proving all recalls were addressed before finalizing purchase.
Factor potential recall-related service time into your ownership cost estimates.