High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2020-nissan-sentra

2020 Nissan Sentra Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

← Compare All Sentra Years
Defect Risk Score
64 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
207
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
4
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
8
8 Crashes • 0 Fires
Advertisement

2020 Nissan Sentra Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Steering System 26.6%
55 reported failures
Electrical System 18.8%
39 reported failures
Unknown Or Other 15.5%
32 reported failures
Driver Assist & Tech 14%
29 reported failures
Braking System 6.8%
14 reported failures
Powertrain & Transmission 3.9%
8 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2020 Nissan Sentra (4)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #21V461000 Component: Steering System

Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.

Safety Hazard: A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #22V244000 Component: Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Sentra vehicles, equipped with LED headlights. The right-hand headlight aim may be misaligned. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety Hazard: An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-hand headlight, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R20B4.

NHTSA Campaign #23V581000 Component: Steering System

Defect Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.

Safety Hazard: A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #23V628000 Component: Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Defect 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."

Safety Hazard: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free 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.

Advertisement
🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11773572 • Unknown Or Other 10/25/2026

"Rear camera is not working. Locking system in the back passenger door don’t work"

ODI #11768463 • Powertrain & Transmission 10/02/2026

"2020 Nissan Sentra , had been affected, Fuel system and or transmission has been affected , I also communicated this with Nissan Consumers affairs on 9/1, case number(57016532) they didn’t bother to help. I also went to the dealer twice . They also were unbothered and monotone . It’s a safety issue since the car stalls in low speeds. CVT transmissi..."

ODI #11765990 • Electrical System 09/21/2026

"The back up camera frequently goes blank when the car is put in reverse. This is a safety hazard as I can't see what is behind me when I am backing up. Upon further research, this is common in Nissan Sentras around this time but my specific car was not under the recall. There were multiple reports of faulty wiring causing the same issues. There wer..."

ODI #11752295 • Electrical System 07/23/2026

"3/4 doors will not lock/unlock using fob, or the door controllers. This increases risk of theft, car jacking, and safety as the locks do not engage while driving. Very dangerous. Windows do not roll up/down, which when paired with the doors needing to be locked/unlocked manually can cause one to become trapped, especially with passengers. Dealershi..."

ODI #11749096 • Electrical System 07/08/2026

"The power unlock on all four doors of my car doors will no longer operate via key fob, outside lock button or interior power unlock buttons, although the doors can all be locked using those same processes. In addition, the doors have all randomly locked while being inside the car with no key, locking me inside the car and requiring someone getting ..."