Photo: Gold Pony / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 Nissan Sentra: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Sentra years.
132 owner complaints, most about steering. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Sentra?The 2021 Nissan Sentra has 132 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and forward collision avoidance. Owners most often flag premature component failure: specific mentions of faulty egr valves (2021 model), repeated failure of the brake pedal switch/sensor (2019 model), and failing starters.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Nissan Sentra vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sentra years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Sentra?
Across the 31 Sentra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2023) to 638 (2013). With 132 complaints, the 2021 Sentra sits below the model's median of 167.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Sentra
steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Campaign 21V461000Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Campaign 23V581000Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V628000Nissan 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 owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by transmission history.
- RecurrentPremature Component Failure
Specific mentions of faulty EGR valves (2021 model), repeated failure of the brake pedal switch/sensor (2019 model), and failing starters.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sentra. See the full Sentra owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sentra listings typically run $11,385–$18,397.
Other Sentra model years
Compare every Sentra year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sentra against its rivals
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