Nissan Sentra 2020–2025
8th generation (B18)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026810 complaints, 139 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 139
- Median of reported failures
- 25,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Forward collision avoidance (18.1%)
- Recalls
- 12
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 34% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Nissan Sentra 2020–2025 · 139 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 60 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 34% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 1,500
- 25%
- 6,000
- Median
- 25,000
- 75%
- 43,177
- 90%
- 75,094
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 60 | 43.2% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 36 | 25.9% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 22 | 15.8% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 11 | 7.9% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 6 | 4.3% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 3 | 2.2% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 1 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 810 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020–2025 Nissan Sentra, and 139 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
34% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (18.1% of complaints, typically around 6,000 miles), the steering (17.5% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles), the electrical system (15.4% of complaints, typically around 28,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2020–2025 Nissan Sentra last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2020–2025 Nissan Sentra were filed by 25,000 miles and 90% by 75,000 miles — figures drawn from 139 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
Before you buy a 2020–2025 Sentra: the 3-minute check
Generated from 139 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for forward collision avoidance repair records. This area fails at a median of 6,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for brakes repair records. This area fails at a median of 6,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check general on 2020–2025 cars. No widely documented systemic powertrain defect as of MY2025; the CVT and engine complaint rates fall sharply relative to the B17, and this generation is a deliberate reset of the Sentra's CVT reputation.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 34% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, forward collision avoidance and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Forward collision avoidance in particular shows a median failure mileage of 6,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Nissan Sentra 2020–2025
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Forward collision avoidance147 reports6,0001,500–19,000Forward collision avoidance: 147 reports, median 6,000 miles, middle half 1,500 to 19,000 miles.
- Brakes59 reports6,0003,000–21,000Brakes: 59 reports, median 6,000 miles, middle half 3,000 to 21,000 miles.
- Electrical system125 reports28,0005,000–47,000Electrical system: 125 reports, median 28,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 47,000 miles.
- Steering142 reports40,00025,000–57,000Steering: 142 reports, median 40,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 57,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 147 | 18.1% | 6,000 | 1,500–19,000 |
| Steering | 142 | 17.5% | 40,000 | 25,000–57,000 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 15.4% | 28,000 | 5,000–47,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 96 | 11.9% | — | — |
| Brakes | 59 | 7.3% | 6,000 | 3,000–21,000 |
| Engine | 33 | 4.1% | — | — |
| Transmission and driveline | 32 | 4.0% | — | — |
| Suspension | 29 | 3.6% | — | — |
| Wheels | 25 | 3.1% | — | — |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 23 | 2.8% | — | — |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Nissan Sentra 2020–2025 · 139 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 85% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
85% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Forward collision avoidance — median 6,000 mi
- Steering — median 40,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 28,000 mi
- Brakes — median 6,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
96% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Forward collision avoidance — median 6,000 mi
- Steering — median 40,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 28,000 mi
- Brakes — median 6,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
99% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Forward collision avoidance — median 6,000 mi
- Steering — median 40,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 28,000 mi
- Brakes — median 6,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 25,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Forward collision avoidance accounts for 18.1% of complaints (147 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 6,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,500 and 19,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 17.5% of complaints (142 reports, 40 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 40,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 57,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 15.4% of complaints (125 reports, 14 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 28,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,000 and 47,000 miles.
The brakes account for 7.3% of complaints (59 reports, 13 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 6,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 3,000 and 21,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2020 model year drew the most — 320 complaints — while 2023 drew the fewest at 34. The median year sits at 99.
That makes 2020 an outlier: roughly 3.2 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (2), visibility equipment (2), the steering (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 810 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 68 (8.4%)
- Fires
- 3
- Injury reports
- 42
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
General 2020–2025
No widely documented systemic powertrain defect as of MY2025; the CVT and engine complaint rates fall sharply relative to the B17, and this generation is a deliberate reset of the Sentra's CVT reputation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 320 | 77 |
| 2021 | 214 | 27 |
| 2022 | 141 | 16 |
| 2023 | 34 | 4 |
| 2024 | 58 | 10 |
| 2025 | 43 | 5 |
Recalls (12) — is your car included?
Aug 2026 · 2025 · Power TrainAn unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power.
What can happen. An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a driveshaft that is not fully engaged can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 30, 2026.
Mar 2026 · 2025 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
What can happen. A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.
Jan 2026 · 2025 · VisibilityReduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
What can happen. Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA58. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 21, 2025.
May 2025 · 2025 · SeatsAn unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
What can happen. An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA45.
Nov 2024 · 2020–2022 · SteeringA bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
What can happen. A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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
Aug 2024 · 2024 · VisibilityAn owner who cannot see their VIN clearly may not recognize their vehicle is involved in a safety recall, and…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The windshield may have air bubbles on the front lower driver's side, which can obscure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
What can happen. An owner who cannot see their VIN clearly may not recognize their vehicle is involved in a safety recall, and may not have the recall remedy performed, which could increase the risk of injury, fire, or a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA38.
Jun 2024 · 2024 · Power TrainAn unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, or may have a loose or missing retaining clip, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power.
What can happen. An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA37.
Apr 2024 · 2023–2024 · Air BagsAn air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
What can happen. An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD104, and PMA34.
Oct 2023 · 2020–2021 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the…
The defect. 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."
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Jul 2023 · 2022 · StructureCorrosion of the electrical components could result in failure of various electrical systems, such as loss of…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Sentra vehicles. The driver's side cowl area may have a missing or improper seal, which can allow water to leak inside the vehicle and corrode electrical components.
What can happen. Corrosion of the electrical components could result in failure of various electrical systems, such as loss of wiper motor function or exterior lighting, inoperative air bags, or the ability to shift into gear without applying the brake pedal. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short-circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reseal the driver's side cowl. If moisture or corrosion is found, the main harness and engine room harness will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Jun 2022 · 2020 · Exterior LightingAn improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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."
What can happen. An improperly aimed headlight may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Aug 2021 · 2020–2021 · SteeringA bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
What can happen. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
What owners reported
After returning on 12/12/20 a Sentra purchased on 12/8/20 - i swapped out with another Sentra. Reason for return - aeb pedestrian light kept going on every morning despite varying weather conditions (warm vs. Cold). Received this car (gun metallic color) and on 12/13/20 - same thing happened! Will be contacting the…
2020 · 150 miles · Forward collision avoidance
After purchasing the 2020 Nissan Sentra. I noticed the LED headlights were not bright at projecting on the road correctly. Compared to traditional bulbs and other sedans of year 2020 models. I complained to Nissan was told that it was a recall for the left headlight due to misalignment. After they replaced it, they…
2020 · 1,500 miles · Exterior lighting
Purchased car in october 2020. Car started braking involuntary while driving 10-25 MPH. No objects were in front of the car. This has happened 4 times. This happened on my last vehicle and Nissan had a major recall to change the sensors/camera. At this time there is no fix. I have taken my car in 5 times regarding the…
2020 · 1,500 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
The front radar (obstruction detector) is not working properly. The car will randomly break even when there is no obstruction in front of the car. This happened 3 times in february 2021. Each time i took the car to the dealership. They initially brushed me off and blamed snow, rain and soot. I called nisan corporate…
2020 · 3,000 miles · Brakes
Built from 139 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page