VehicleVerdict

2019 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 356 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Sentra year — the 2019 model ranks #6 of 45 Sentra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (69), transmission (54), and driver assistance (47), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

356

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6919%
Transmission5415%
Driver Assistance4713%
Other4613%
Brakes3811%
Lighting298%
Engine206%
Airbags144%
Speed Control123%
Fuel System62%
Body & Structure51%
Suspension41%
Seat Belts41%
Steering31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2019 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V135000LightingMarch 3, 2021 · 807,376 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.

Consequence

The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC ABOUT 35 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN TRAFFIC CAME TO STOP. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND DID NOT GRAB RIGHT AWAY I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY FRONT LEFT CORNER IN THE BACK RIGHT CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 11, 2019 · crash

“DRIVING ON FREEWAY LESS THAN 35 MPH, CAR MADE LOUD NOISE FOR 1-2 MINUTES AT SAME TIME I FELT UNDER FLOOR BOARD SOMETHING PULLING. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I REAR ENDED A CAR. THE CAR GEAR SHIFT POPPED INTO REVERSE; I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES & THEY FINALLY WORKED. I NOTICED A BIG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 17, 2019 · crash

“There was a warning sign for the front lights like something was blocking it or something I honestly don't know but I brought it to enterprise attention and they told me don't worry about it. Then later I was in a wreck my car made no warning sign nor did the air bags deploy ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 21, 2022 · crash

“There was a warning sign for the front lights like something was blocking it or something I honestly don't know but I brought it to enterprise attention and they told me don't worry about it. Then later I was in a wreck my car made no warning sign nor did the air bags deploy ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 21, 2022 · crash

“I have been telling Nissan in my town and they say that know about this AEB malfunction. My husband and I couldve died! We were on the interstate late at night going about 80 mpl when the AEB system activated by itself and slammed on the breaks. We started the spin out and the traction control came…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 21, 2021 · crash

2019 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 356 complaints put the 2019 model at #6 of 45 Sentra years. It is one of the Sentra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (69 complaints), transmission (54 complaints), driver assistance (47 complaints).

Does the 2019 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2019 Nissan Sentra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Nissan Sentra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.