NHTSA has received 132 owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Sentra, or 22.8 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.57, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #43 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Nissan models its rate is 19% lower; against other Compact cars it is about the same.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-06-26 and 2026-09-30. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
132Complaints
22.8Complaints per year on the road
0.57Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
10.6%Share involving a crash or fire
20Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 30.3 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 16.9 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 28 complaints, 54% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (28.8% of complaints), followed by Steering (24.2%) and Brakes (14.4%). Electrical complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 14 reports (10.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 32 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the third year (34% of incidents). In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — up 25%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.57
vs. other Nissan models0.81
vs. other 2021 models0.59
vs. other Compact cars1.04
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (28)0.46
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.
Unspecified or other · 2025-06-02 · ODI 11664355 · Crash
There is a current open recall Campain ID R23B3 on the tie rods requiring replacement, however there is no current remedy per Nissan.
Steering · 2024-06-20 · ODI 11595561 · Crash
I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2021. Since then, I have experienced a very concerning safety issue on multiple occasions involving the automatic emergency braking system.
Brakes · 2026-09-30 · ODI 11768165
My vehicle previously had the tie rod issue repaired under the original recall\. However, the same problem has now returned\.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-09-09 · ODI 11763094
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.
Unspecified or other · 2026-08-30 · ODI 11760768
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 23V628000 · 2023-09-08
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."
Risk: 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Campaign 23V581000 · 2023-08-15
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
Risk: 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Campaign 21V461000 · 2021-06-17
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
Risk: 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.
