Complaint volume
199 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Nissan Sentra Complaints
199 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Nissan Sentra, grouped by component category.
199 Total complaints
8 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are steering, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 56 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 30,411 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to steering, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Nissan Sentra?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Nissan Sentra
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Nissan Sentra complaints?
8 Crash
0 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Nissan Sentra complaint categories?
STEERING 37
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 25
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5
ENGINE 4
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3
SERVICE BRAKES 3
199 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving down the road and the camera above on windshield above rearview mirror went out as well as the forward collision braking. Both went out at the same time. The problem was inspected by a certified mechanic shop. It puts people’s lives at risk once each sensors go out limiting the safety features. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 99% of the time neither of my back doors will lock or unlock when I either push the key fob or press the door unlock button inside the car. And for the past few days my front driver side door is doing the same thing. It’s a big safety hazard because I have a [XXX] daughter and if we get in an accident or stuck somewhere and I can’t open her door then what? I’ve had to go from the front door and reach to the back to unlock it manually and that’s not always possible to do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | back up camera not working | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The starter and electric problems. The vehicle has been serviced 5 or 6 times each with the problem the issues has not been resolved. Is there a recall in any of the said problems above. No, incident occurred, it is a repair failure. Problem has not been fixed and diver has been back and forth to the dealer over and over with same problem, the diver wants to know if there are recalls on ignition or starter problems and electrical problems. Said vehicle is not in running condition, it is at the dealers as now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rear drivers side door doesn't unlock. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ENGINE | Tensioner pulley broke | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Front collision isn't working. Warning on dash | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The back up camera stops working for awhile. Sensors work but no rear camera pops up when in Reverse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Every so often the vehicle’s AEB, FCW, LDW system malfunctions and causes the CEL( Check Engine Light ) to come on. The car also looses Traction Control and begins to sound like the tires are grinding on the pavement. This then puts the motor in a limp mode/ Safe Mode. During this time the vehicle DOES NOT Have power and reduces speed to 50MPH, the vehicle then revs at 2.5-5.5RPM trying to catch/ hold speed. The vehicle begins to shake when this happens. The power windows also don’t work after this happens. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | Brake caliper piston popped out of brake caliper | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was at a stop light in a busy area and I got a message saying critical engine malfunction warning, engine power reduced. I had to floor the car to get it to 5 mph, then when I got it in the only minimally safe area I could the emergency braking system was the only thing that stopped it. My brakes failed too. My car has only 71K miles and is not quite 5 years old. It's been meticulously maintained as well. This is NOT acceptable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Nissan has replaced the door actuators on the front left, front right, back left, and back right multiple times, but the issues persist. The malfunctioning door locks pose a serious safety risk, particularly for children who may open the doors while the vehicle is in motion. Additionally, there is the risk of doors failing to secure properly, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to vandalism or theft. This ongoing problem presents significant safety and security concerns that require immediate attention. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 months after purchasing my car off the show room floor the key fob stop locking my doors. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My cars door locks are failing prematurely. The front drivers door stopped work entirely even with a key and when I looked the issue up online I found that a number of other people are having the same issue with their 2020 Sentras as well. The door locks started failing within 2 years of owning the car. This car hasn't even hit 100,000 miles yet. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated when the vehicle was driven over a pothole and the steering wheel shook erratically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was advised to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic. In addition, the contact stated that upon an inconclusive diagnostic test, all four tires were replaced and balanced, and the tie rod was replaced however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact referenced Voluntary recall PM985; however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Nov 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rear door no longer wants to lock automatically | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | I have been having several issues with this vehicle since I bought it. I’ve had the vehicle break down on me about 3 times and need repairs or adjustments to previous repairs. The main issue right now is that the car has been in the shop for about 50 days or so for repairs on the suspension or tie rods, inner/outer. I’ve had the same issue with vibrations and shaking coming from the front end when going about 60MPH. This has been going on for about 4-5 months now since I bought the car back in June. The car has been repaired about 6 times already and still no resolution to the problem. The technician at the dealership said there isn’t anything else they can do as all the work they’ve done has been by the manufacturer’s recommendation and book. My other main concern is the car tends to pull or JOLT when driving sometimes. The car has also been needing an alignment every so often. I’m not sure if it’s because the rack and pinion is broken or needs to be replaced. The boots around them keep tearing or coming off. This is my 2nd time hearing a technician tell me about them.The motor has been replaced already at 32K miles, 2 weeks before I bought it. Lately the car also been tugging and or shifting hard. My other issue is the back up camera and the windows, along with the outside button not working to keyless entry feature. I’ve been having several issues with the back up camera lately. It’s always DULL and DIM when switching from P to R, the screen turns dark and black. The other side issues are the Button for the Windows not rolling up or down. They seem to be getting stuck. This makes it hard sometimes as my kids don’t like the A/C on as much. It gives them horse cough. When it’s hot the car has no circulation or ventilation besides turning the A/C or FAN on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | every since i got this $22,000 car, my backup camera has not worked. when i back up, the screen turns blue. first time i went to the nissan dealership they said there was a recall on the camera but because the one time it works, its at the dealership so they didn’t fix it. i bring it back a few months later to get the suspension recalled fix and tell them my back up camera doesn’t work. i have photo evidence showing everytime it doesn’t work and now they said there’s no recall it’ll cost $300 to replace. i’ve had this car for 3 months. i wouldn’t recommend anyone buy a car from nissan. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Issues with the door.. My key can’t open the driver door with the unlock button.. Also back door has same issue .. Had it fixed on passenger door when I have warranty but issue keeps happening .. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel had an excessive amount of play. While driving over a pothole, the vehicle shook abnormally. While reversing, there was an abnormal thumping sound while turning the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle should not be driven. The mechanic determined that the steering rack was badly worn, and the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number 23V581000 (Steering). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack and tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 32,000 |
| Oct 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | [XXX] 06/29 637 1). A feature of the Auto Intelligent Headlight feature is not working on 2020 Sentras, all trims. During the daytime (rain or snow) when the windshield wipers are turned on and swish back and forth 4 times, it’s supposed to automatically turn on headlights (which also turns on tail lights so you’re not rear ended). 2). Additionally, when the headlights are in “Headlight” mode (not automatic mode), the owners manual states when the engine is turned off and the door is opened you will get both an alarm chime and a visual warning on the drivers display that lights are on and to turn them off. Just like any normal car going back for 20 years. Well it doesn’t work in 2020 Sentra. Only way I can get feature to chime or show the display warning is to toggle the headlight control switch to “Parking Lights” and back to “Headlights”!. Of course, if I can remember to do that I could remember to turn off the headlights! Auto Intelligent Headlights is explained on the Nissan website, and the 2020 Sentra Brochure States it as a standard feature on all trims. I also have a personal letter from Nissan stating 2020 Sentras have all of this feature. [XXX] Intelligent Auto Headlights | Innovation | Nissan’s Intelligent Auto Headlights: Nissan’s various technologies, including electrification, autonomous drive, connected car & service, mobility service, and energy management, are introduced. [XXX] [XXX] It doesn’t work. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs, after 2 months and being handed off to 2 customer service reps they finally sent a Corp DTS Rep to look at car. After 4 hrs examining it, he contacted the internal only “Nissan Tech Talk”, only for Nissan mechanics and you must have a dealer code to access, not for the public. Turns out, they knew that due to a new wiring system in the 2020 Sentra’s those features and a fog light auto feature don’t work! Apparently it’s a defect, I was never notified they INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | This Vehicle was bought back in Jun of this year. Since purchasing the vehicle with only 49,933 miles this Sentra has broken down 4 times, been in the shop for 1Month 2weeks consecutively. The first incident was 4.5 hrs after purchase. The Passenger side Tide Rod snapped in half on the highway causing the jam and slow down along with leaving me in fear for my life. The passenger rim was inverted facing the driver. The second time happened to be the same issue but at a different dealership. The car went to Moss Bros San Bernardino where it was bought and was there for about 25days .Later it was sent to Nissan of San Bernardino and was there for 2weeks. The same day It got picked up from Nissan it was taken back the same day. Had same Bumpy and shaking throughout the car. When the tie rod snapped in half it had destroyed the durability of the belt and pulley systems as the vehicle weight was slammed abruptly onto the passenger side of the car leaving it slanted and slid for 2-3 mins on the freeway this caused the engine to become weak which led up to the defective parts breaking over time of driving regularly. The Alternator Pulley, Serpentine Belt, Axle, and balance to become uneven. So as of 09/10 this vehicle has broke down 4-5 times. Been in the shop since. The vehicle has Powertrain warranty but as usual they denied coverage. Total cost is around $2,700 in damages due to the original recall. This Tie rod recall has destroyed the vehicle. Congratulation to me cause I still owe 22K. This hazardous, and dangerous vehicle has also been deemed unsafe by CHP as of 06/11/2024. This particularly Sentra is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode on the freeway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I was driving in town, alternator decided to quit working, car went into limp mode on a busy street and I was nearly rear-ended. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | doors do not lock. Doors on drivers' side does not lock on multiple 2020 Nissan Sentra's. Actuators are failing on the doors and causing them to not lock with remote or without remote and making it easily for someone to steal or damage vehicle. Vehicle has been inspected by Nissan and are trying to get $300 to diagnose the issue and then another $600-$1,000 to fix the issue. Requesting this be a recall item for 2020 Nissan Sentra. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The rear back up camera had a recall on my car. I took it to the dealer to have it replaced. The camera would sometimes work and sometimes not work. When it wasn’t working the screen would either remain black or royal blue showing no picture at all. When I arrived at the Wesley Chapel Nissan in Wesley Chapel Fl I explained to them that the camera does not work correctly and that I had been notified by mail that my car had a recall with the camera according to my VIN number. The dealership looked at my car and stated that the camera was working fine. They then closed the case and marked it as being repaired. The camera on my car had never been fixed. I took my car to them at a later date for an oil change and explained the camera was not working. They once again said they would look at it. They never fixed the camera just said nothing was wrong with it. A few more months had passed and the camera was not working at all. I called to ask if they’d look at it again and they told me there would be a charge. I didn’t take the car in because I didn’t feel I should have to pay a diagnostic fee for something they should have fixed prior. I brought my car to them once again for an oil change and asked them to look at it again. This time they said the camera was not working but they couldn’t do anything because the case was closed. I called Nissan motor company, they opened a case and said they would look into it and I would have to apply for financing. At this point I was livid. They ended up stating that I would have to pay for half of the repairs for something that was recalled. I called the local dealer today to see if there was anything else that could be done because they are the ones who closed the recall. They said they couldn’t help me. I am driving a 2020 Nissan Sentra. There was never any warning lamps stating the camera was failing. The screen goes to blue when put in reverse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |