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BrakesPart report

2021 Nissan Sentra Brakes Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
19%of 133 total for the year
Median mileage
17,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Nissan Sentra, 19% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car has been hacked. I know the hacker was able to get my VIN number bec he hacked my computer also (and I had to enter the information to setup autopay etc through my finance company). The hacker has been messing with the brakes which makes me afraid that it will force me into an accident. He is also messing with my RPM (I believe): there's resistance when I'm accelerating.”

NHTSA complaint #11445431, filed 2021-12

“Since having my Nissan 2021 Sentra I have for one, had to replace the battery in it twice. On a more serious note, it is now stopping the car at random and unnecessary times stating an object is in front of me. It happens once a while ago and I did not have any other signs, and it was just for a second, so I tried not to stress about it. Now it is happening more often and just this morning happened three times. Causing my car to come to a complete stop, it is very dangerous and I am not sure what I am to do about it.”

NHTSA complaint #11691787, filed 2025-10

“I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2021. Since then, I have experienced a very concerning safety issue on multiple occasions involving the automatic emergency braking system. While driving normally, with the vehicle operating without any apparent problems, the emergency braking system has suddenly activated and warning lights have appeared on the dashboard, even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, object, or other obstruction in front of me that would have required emergency braking. This has happened to me several times and is extremely frightening. …”

NHTSA complaint #11768165, filed 2026-09

“The automated break system came on while I was driving 2 times within 3 days without anything being in front, the back or on the side of the car. When this happened there was a few beeping noise and a quick red flash on the dashboard that said maintenance.This started happening the next day after getting an oil change from the Nissan dealership. My safety was at risked because when the car suddenly and unexpectedly stopped it jerked my body forward causing my neck to become sore. This can cause greater injury or worst if I was going any faster. …”

NHTSA complaint #11581894, filed 2024-04

“My ABS light randomly come on along side of traction control, front and rear collision assistance lights. Car has had electrical problems since I got it such as sometimes bright headlights won’t come on( they just stay on the dim regardless of what you do) the radio will just freeze and not work at all. Have to unhook the battery to get radio to even reset or even wait days for it to do it itself. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR. nothing but electrical problems since I’ve gotten it. And it only have 50,000 miles and all regular maintenance has been done”

NHTSA complaint #11603078, filed 2024-07

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202615%
202526%
2024615%
2023210%
202245%
20212519%
20202512%
20193817%
20184022%
20172210%
2016218%
2015185%
2014359%
20139715%
201274%
20111410%
201011%
20091018%
20082113%
20072013%
200654%
2005127%
2004105%
200374%
200293%
20012410%
2000106%
1999712%
1998712%
19971514%
1996107%
19952521%
19941515%
1993916%
1992813%
1991711%
199013%
198912%
198713%

Other parts of the 2021 Nissan Sentra

Forward collision avoidance
40 complaints
Steering
40 complaints
Electrical system
38 complaints
Other or unknown
19 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Nissan Sentra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology