What 202 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Nissan Sentra Sr Turbo

I purchased a 2019 Nissan Sentra SR (VIN: [XXX] ) as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Star Nissan in Bayside, NY on [XXX]. Since the day of purchase, I have experienced repeated failures when trying to start the vehicle using the push-button ignition. Specifically, when pressing the brake pedal to start the car, nothing happens — the brake does not register, and the engine will not start. This issue directly matches the symptoms outlined in NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Nissan Campaign PM971), which addresses a known brake lamp switch defect in 2016–2019 Nissan Sentra models. I was not the original owner and was never notified of this recall. The selling dealership, who had custody of the car when the recall was issued, did not confirm or perform the required repair before reselling the vehicle to me. Nissan Consumer Affairs now claims there are “no open recalls” on my VIN, but the part in question — the brake switch — has never been replaced, and my Nissan service history confirms that it was not repaired. Instead, unrelated components like the brake booster were replaced multiple times, which did not resolve the issue. This defect has created multiple unsafe situations where I was stranded with my child in unsafe areas due to the car failing to start. The car’s brake system is critical to safe operation and starting function, and failure of this component puts both myself and my child at risk. I believe the recall was never performed and was falsely marked as completed or was never properly associated with my VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why this VIN is not being flagged for an active recall, despite clear matching symptoms and lack of documented repair. I also request that Nissan be required to fulfill the safety repair free of charge under the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11668768

The drivers side door lock is defective. The automatic locking does not work. This is unsafe since the doors need to be locked manually which puts people at right of opening the door while driving. There are currently no recalls or warnings in regards to this malfunction. Also, the electrical and sound in the front radio screen is also defective. I did take it to Nissan and they said it would need to be completely replaced. This service would cost $400. Because of this defect, you cannot talk to emergency services if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11659419

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and repaired with a software update. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647561

Car is constantly turning on inside even if the car is turned off, the radio will play all night. Sometimes in comes on and then it turns off. When car is turned on and I am driving all of a sudden screen and dashboard will go out all black and then all of a sudden turns on. This has been happening since I purchased the vehicle which was about 2 years ago, I did take back to question it and it was stated to me that sometimes vehicles do that because the vehicle has just been turned off. Now to add to that I am getting a key system error on dashboard when driving the car and electrically speaking the doors are now not locking but everything mechanically is intact and working.

NHTSA ODI 11641045

When i bought the car, it started making a grunting sound every time I would accelerate the car and start driving. Now the car stalls while I'm on drive. It had turned off on me a few times while driving and quickly turn back on, and other times it would turn off when I would make a turn I took my car to my mechanic and they weren't sure what is wrong with it. They say it might be an electrical issue or the transmission, they also said that my axles are bad on my car. I only have a year with the car which I bought from enterprise car sales and it had 115k miles. Still too little for it to have that many problems.

NHTSA ODI 11626127

Bought a used car from a dealership, in April 2023. Battery is being drained when parked. I have been stranded several times, due to the battery failure. First time happened 6 months after purchase. Now battery needs to be replaced frequently, about every 2 months

NHTSA ODI 11624229

On 10/28/2024 I was driving on a highway at 60 mph with light traffic. All of a sudden the radio display panel went blank and all the warning lights on dashboard lit up. The car started to slow down and did not gain speed even when gas pedal is pressed. Car speed went down to 40 mph. I put on hazard lights and looking for safe spot to park the car. I drove for 2 to 3 minutes and then dashboard warnings lights went out, radio came back and the car gained speed again. It drove normal again. This car has other issues as well such USB ports do not function.

NHTSA ODI 11621184

The radio system of car the Nissan connect turns on and off when the car is parked and off it does drain my car battery to the point I have to replace it all the time this issues happened the camera works off and on the CarPlay and android auto sometimes work but it doesn’t which is a safety concern when trying to answer calls through the car and messages but it won’t let me do that due to those issues

NHTSA ODI 11619364

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11612375

The car will not register the brake activation to be able to start the vehicle. Hence, we have a broken car that now doesn’t work

NHTSA ODI 11612069

Transmission has been slipping and now car won’t go into gear at all, door handles have broken on both front doors.

NHTSA ODI 11582827

I am having really bad transmission issues. my car screen for GPS, Bluetooth doesnt even work... or wont even play my bluetooth music half the time... my sunroof, will not go down anymore. this is a 2019 Nissian Sentra i just GOT 5 months ago..

NHTSA ODI 11582556

Left front vibrations and steering issues. Also start button won't engage even after repair. Trouble stating car and interferes with remote starting.

NHTSA ODI 11573706

This happened to me a total of 3 times. Low fuel light does not come on. First time I had 32 miles until empty no low fuel light came on, car stopped battery light came on. Tried to jump the car and it did not start. Put in some premium gas and it started. Second time same thing happened car slowly stopped and battery light came on. Tried to jump the car did not start, put gas in but this time it didn't start, had to get the car towed. Battery was tested and fine. Mechanic said he believes it is the gas gage being incorrect. Third time this happened today, February 3,2024 50 miles until empty pulled out into the middle of the road and my car stopped. I was in the middle of the road with cars beeping at me. I could not move my car. Battery light came on. Police came and put some gas in the car and it started. This is a dangerous thing happening and thankfully I am okay and it could have been alot worse. Please have this issue looked into and fixed. I will be bringing my car into the dealer Monday for this issue to be resolved hopefully.

NHTSA ODI 11569712

Radio turns on intermittently when the car is not on. Drains battery. Has caused the car to not start several times and left my daughter on the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI 11569262

Parasitic draw on the battery. Drains a period of 8hrs. Have had the battery tested and alternator tested both are good. Had a parasitic draw test done and shows nothing at the time of the test.

NHTSA ODI 11568183

CVT. The safety issue is losing power when driving. Almost stalls. My safety in jeopardy when you have traffic including semi trucks coming from behind.

NHTSA ODI 11555869

On October 14, 2023, while driving with no vehicle in front of the 2019 Nissan Sentra, the Automatic Emergency Braking engaged, stopping the car forcefully. There were 3 warning beeps of a potential collision immediately prior to the braking, however, as stated, no vehicle was in front of this vehicle, and no other obstruction was in front of the vehicle. On October 16, 2023, while driving with no vehicle in front of the 2019 Nissan Sentra, there were 3 beeps warning of a potential collision. During this occasion, the braking did not engage and only the warning was given.

NHTSA ODI 11550778

Nine statements: 1. The radio in the car is failing. It comes on and immediately turns off. 2. The radio showed the rear image and sensors upon reverse. Now neither of those works. It could cause a rear impact upon parking or a person quickly crossing behind the car. 3. The problem has been reported to the dealer, documented, and confirmed by the Nissan Dealer on [XXX] at Nissan Servicing Dept - 1919 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710. The attendant who I worked with was Daniel Ramroop and confirmed situation @ 1pm EST. 4. No, the vehicle was not in an accident so there is no police, insurance, or other representative report. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure 6. About a year and brought it in for checking last week when I received the recall notice to bring the car in for curing the recall. The service department said that if electrical issues related to the stop lamp switch recall caused the failure, that they could look at both the same time. 7. In their review, they stated that it was not caused by the stop lamp and do not have an explanation for why the radio failed. 8. I have attached the work order and the review of the rear camera, radio, and rear sensors 9. There were 26 NHTSA complaints as of March 2023 exist for the Nissan’s electrical issues concerning the radio but no recall or known repair is associated with the radio. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11548915

Several electrical and transmission problems. Vehicle over exerts battery. Transmission goes out of overdrive while driving . Collusion avoidance radar constantly goes into malfunction modes. Car over heats.

NHTSA ODI 11533437

I have a 2019 Nissan Sentra with only 17,000 miles. The seatbelt indicator light stays on even while wearing the seatbelt. There is no warning chime just the light. However, if there is a passenger the seatbelt indicator light will go off. My concern is for the passenger's safety. I'm concerned if everything will work like it should especially if there happens to be an accident and the airbags deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11525282

I have trouble starting car, will not detect brake being pressed before starting and brake lights won't work

NHTSA ODI 11522214

I own a 2019 Nissan Sentra that was bought as a preowned car in 2020. About a year after purchasing the car I was stranded for the first time when after parking for about 8 hours my car did not start. After getting the car jump started the battery tested in good working order. Since then if my car is locked using the key fob for a few hours (4 or more) the car will not start more than 70% of the time. If the car is manually locked, even for 2 weeks, the problem does not occur, and there is no issue getting the car started. The safety risk is being stranded. The car battery is being drained while the car is parked, and locked, but charges back when driving. all electrical components that can be turned off are turned off (radio, air conditioner, lights).

NHTSA ODI 11517738

The vehicle’s battery rapidly drains while the vehicle is off, in a manner of hours or even a couple of days.

NHTSA ODI 11512584

I went to work and while driving I noticed a light come on. When I looked it up it said safety light and to clean my cameras for possible dirt. I got to work and turned car off. When I went to leave for a meeting 1 hour later the car would not start. All the lights were working and the radio came on. I tried to start it again and the break got hard and it still wouldn’t start. I tried to jumpstart it and it tried to come on but made a noise and wouldn’t come on. I waited a while tried jumping it again and it started. The safety light went off and never came back on. I had my battery replaced in September 2022 so I left to go get it checked and it was good I also checked alternator and it was good. I went home and left a few times with no problem then the next morning it happened again. I had to jump it to start and took it to an auto shop. They couldn’t find anything in the diagnostic test but replaced starter to see if that was it. I drove home and 2 hours later tried to leave and the car wouldn’t start. I went back the next day to the shop and they couldn’t find anything and changed battery to key fobe. The car started for the rest of the day. I went to work the next morning with no problem then when I tried to leave for lunch it wouldn’t start. I went back to shop throwing a fit and they kindly refunded me back my money and told me to go to a Nissan dealership because of a recall they looked up that could be the problem and it should be repaired for free.

NHTSA ODI 11509942