2021 Nissan Sentra: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Nissan Sentra? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 122 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2021 Nissan Sentra Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2021 Nissan Sentra trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2021 Nissan Sentra Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Nissan Sentra has 122 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Sentra
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 122
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 33
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 29 / 39
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Nissan Sentra Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Steering Defects
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Steering Defects, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Nissan Sentra?
The 2021 Nissan Sentra shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Nissan Sentra
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical system functionality, including infotainment and sensors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect forward collision avoidance system operation before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical system functionality, including infotainment and sensors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect forward collision avoidance system operation before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Nissan Sentra, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Nissan Sentra are concentrated in electrical faults, steering defects, and forward collision avoidance systems. Crash-related complaints account for 14 of the 122 total reports, but the data is limited to a single model year and consumer-submitted reports.
- Electrical faults and steering defects each account for 38 complaints, the highest counts.
- Forward collision avoidance (AEB) issues are reported in 34 complaints.
- Brake system problems appear in 23 complaints.
- Electrical Faults
- Steering Defects
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
All 2021 Nissan Sentra Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Sentra. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 38 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 38 | 11 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 34 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 23 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The infotainment/radio system in my 2021 Nissan Sentra intermittently reboots and produces static. When this happens, the backup camera freezes or shuts off completely. This has occurred while I was actively reversing, causing a sudden loss of rear visibility. The screen either g…
Some time while driving on empty roads Fuel Economy warning light beeping and automatically emergency brake . It happened on me more than 5 times.
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 ba…
AEB system is initiating emergency braking at random times. Both on surface street, and the freeway on ramp. With and without weather, and without any obstacles or cars in the way. The vehicle comes it a complete stop when this happens and puts the driver in significant danger.…
Rattling noise coming from the belt assembly. Tensioner pulley is shaky and alternator had a piece brake off causing metal shavings to fly around.
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 …
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 ch…
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 …
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 lig…
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 …
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 i…
Passenger side power windows and driver side rear window on occasion will stop working.
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 wher…
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 …
The competent that continues to fail is the emergency response breaks. They continue to stop at random times creating a very unsafe environment while I drive daily. I do have this on video and my car is available for inspection at any time. I just recently finally got the emergen…
Rear windows and passenger window are malfunctioning. They stay open and will not close. Takes many attempts, and push start car on and off attempts. Takes hours for them to work again. Currently not using rear windows. To be on the safe side.
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 pr…
The door lock actuators in my 2021 Nissan Sentra have malfunctioned, causing my doors to unexpectedly lock or unlock. Three of the four doors are affected, including the front driver's side door and both back doors. This is a serious safety concern that can potentially lock me in…
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, p…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Nissan Sentra.
2021 Nissan Sentra Recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Sentra. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Nissan Sentra Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 122 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Nissan Sentra shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Sentra?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (38 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (38 complaints). #3: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (34 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Nissan Sentra?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Nissan Sentra?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Nissan Sentra, NHTSA complaints include 14 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 122 total complaints. 8 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Nissan Sentra. A major recall area is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Sentra?▾
The 2021 Nissan Sentra shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Nissan Sentra based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.