NHTSA has received 130 owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Sentra, or 22.9 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.54, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #43 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 21% 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 2026-08-30. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
130Complaints
22.9Complaints per year on the road
0.54Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
10.8%Share involving a crash or fire
25Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 30.6 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 17.3 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 (29.2% of complaints), followed by Steering (24.6%) and Brakes (13.8%). Electrical complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “windows”, “window works”, “drivers window”, “battery” and “roll”. 14 reports (10.8%) 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 (35% of incidents). In the last 12 months 25 new complaints were filed, versus 13 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 54% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.54
vs. other Nissan models0.79
vs. other 2021 models0.6
vs. other Compact cars1.0
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.
Interior & equipment · 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
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.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-30 · ODI 11760768
My 2021 Nissan Sentra has experienced multiple false Automatic Emergency Braking (phantom braking) events where the vehicle suddenly applies the brakes despite there being no vehicle, pedestrian, or obstacle in its path.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-07-18 · ODI 11751232
The scope of repair required fixing a recalled tie rod that suffered a catastrophic failure, which directly caused the vehicle’s ADAS, Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB), and collision detection systems to crash.
Steering · 2026-07-15 · ODI 11750579
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
130 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, or about 22.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 29.2% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 25 new complaints were filed, versus 13 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2021 Nissan Sentra compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 130 owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Sentra, or 22.9 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.54, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #43 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 21% lower; against other Compact cars it is about the same.