Last updated: 2026-10-10

Nissan Sentra

Nissan Sentra Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 78/100

Skip the 2020 model year. Owners filed far more complaints per car sold than for any other year, led by front tie rods that bend or break and emergency braking that fires with nothing ahead. The 2023 model year is the one to buy.

Verdict

Avoid
2020 71/100
Buy
2023 80/100
Model average
78/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Nissan Sentra Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Nissan Sentra average of 78/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202071/100Good4193Steering (52)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

71
GoodReliability score: 71 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Nissan Sentra

Front tie rods bend or break, with violent wheel vibration, clicking in reverse, and some cars that stopped responding to the wheel. Emergency braking also stops cars on empty roads, and door lock actuators fail soon after the warranty ends. Federal records list four recalls for this year.

4 recalls193 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Steering (52), Electrical System (33), Unknown Or Other (29), Forward Collision Avoidance (26), Service Brakes (14), Power Train (7)

View full 2020reliability report →

What Are Common Nissan Sentra Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

177 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2020

2019: The radio turns on by itself with the car off, sometimes playing all night.

STEERING

127 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2021, 2022

2020: Front tie rods bend or break.

POWER TRAIN

113 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: The CVT fails outright, with reported failures between 98,000 and 167,000 miles.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

101 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2018, 2019

2020: Failing door locks make up most of these reports.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

57 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2018, 2021

2020: Automatic emergency braking activates with nothing in the road.

SERVICE BRAKES

54 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2018

2020: Most of these reports also describe phantom automatic braking: the car brakes hard at 25 to 60 mph with no obstacle ahead.

Best Nissan Sentra Year to Buy Instead

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent

2023 Nissan Sentra

The 2023 model year rates excellent, with one recall and only 14 owner complaints, about 1.3 per 10,000 sold. The 2020 year runs at 20.4 per 10,000, with steering and braking faults. The 2023 cars have been on the road long enough to count, though one report of a fractured tie rod is worth knowing about.

Score: 80/100 (Excellent)1 recalls14 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Nissan Sentra has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Nissan Sentra Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nissan Sentra year is the worst?
The 2020 model year is the worst. Owners filed about 20.4 complaints per 10,000 sold, well above any other year. Steering, electrical, and forward collision braking problems lead the reports, and it carries more recalls than any other year.
Which Nissan Sentra years have transmission problems?
The data does not split CVT failures out by year. Power train is the top complaint area for 2018, at 43 complaints, and second for 2019, at 50. CVT failures show up across the model's run, so inspect the transmission on any year.
Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra a good buy?
It is a cautious maybe. The 2019 year is not flagged to avoid, but it is among the lowest rated and has the most complaints of any year, 212. Electrical and power train problems lead those reports. The 2023 model is a safer choice.
Which Nissan Sentra year should I buy instead of 2020?
Buy a 2023. It rates excellent, has one recall, and has far fewer complaints per car sold than 2020. It avoids the pile of tie-rod and emergency braking reports tied to the 2020 year.
Are the newest Nissan Sentra years safe to buy?
They look fine so far, but the record is short. The 2026 model has no complaints because it is new, not because it is proven. The 2024 and 2025 years are still collecting reports, with steering leading for 2024.

How we score every Nissan Sentra model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

See incorrect data? Report an issue