MotorDeets

2021 Nissan Sentra: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2021 Nissan Sentra: 3 recalls, 132 owner complaints and up to 33 mpg combined.

3vehicle recalls
132owner complaints
14mention a crash
33best combined mpg
2021 Nissan Sentra
Photo: Henry Payne · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Steering Vehicle recall #21V461000 · 2021 · 138,736 vehicles

What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod May be bent.

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

The 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.

Steering Vehicle recall #23V581000 · 2023 · 236,238 vehicles

What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod May bend.

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

The 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…

Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V628000 · 2023 · 153,376 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

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

The 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…

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Steering40
Forward collision avoidance39
Electrical38
Brakes24
Other / unknown19
Engine7
Exterior lights6
Speed control / throttle6

What owners describe

The 2021 Nissan Sentra has 132 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 37 Sentra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 158). Complaints peaked in 2023 (42 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 23,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (206 complaints, 4 recalls), 2022 (81 complaints, 2 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.0 L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive293933Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Nissan Sentra.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2021 Nissan Sentra manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2021 Nissan Sentra manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2021 Nissan Sentra manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2021 Nissan Sentra manual

Heads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure

FAQ

Does the 2021 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Sentra problems?

Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (40), forward collision avoidance (39), electrical (38).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Sentra get?

EPA ratings run up to 33 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2021 Nissan Sentra repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Sentra years

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