Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
It was 108 degree outside at 4:30 pm in the zip code of 89052. At a sloped intersection on a major street I stopped for the light. When the light turned green I tried to accelerate the car, it failed to accelerate, the break did not function, and the steering was difficult. The car stalled. The car started rolling downhill. I was able to turn the car to the next street ~20 yards down the intersection. The street had no slope and no other cars at the time. The car eventually stopped. But that was a dangerous incident and it could be much worse.
We bought a new 2013 Nissan Sentra for our daughter. It is about 1 1/2 years old with about 17,000 miles on it. She was on her way home from school, in stop and go traffic, and had just accelerated when she attempted to stop again. She said she tried to stop but the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no resistance. Then she tried pumping them and they locked up and the car wouldn't stop. So, she rear ended the car in front of her and both of the airbags deployed. No one was in the car with her and there was nothing in the passenger seat. The officer at the scene didn't think the airbags should have deployed in his experience working accidents. There was hardly any visible damage to the cars involved. Most of the cost to repair it was from the airbags. I contacted Nissan because I learned that the NHTSA was investigating these cars for brake problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The stated that when driving at 25 to 30 MPH when the brake pedal was engaged, the vehicle failed to come to a stop and caused the contact to crash into the vehicle in front. No injuries were reported. The contact stated that police department provided case number 020-9-018-0182. The stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection and the mechanic was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,400.
Brakes failed to function when attempting to stop while going 35 MPH on a dry, straight roadway. The pedal had some tension behind it but didn't feel right, kind of spongy and it went all the way to the floor. Several pumps of the break did not result in significant braking so I spun the steering wheel to the right to try to avoid the car that was stopping, but could not clear it and my car has been totaled and I am in pain. Airbags also failed to deploy, and I'd have thought a 35 MPH crash should have been sufficient to trigger the inertia sensor.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While the contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard when it was depressed. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and there was no warning indicator. The driver sustained minor cuts that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. Both vehicles were towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,853.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving at an unknown speed and attempting to engage the brakes, the brake pedal sank to the floor. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The seat belt failed to retract. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises and contusions that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 22,000.
This is the third (3) time it happen, no breakes going down my steep driveway. I live in a neighaborhood with many hills and it has come to my attention the brakes do not function properly going down a steep hill. My speed was no more than 4mph when brake failure.
I went to stop at a traffic light and I was unable to deploy the brakes. The car started to roll forward, I then tried slamming on the brakes, but the car accelerated through the intersection and I ended up crashing the car.
Ever since the vehicle was purchased I have experienced issues with the brakes, every time I come to a stop and press the brake after a few seconds the car starts moving and the brake pedal looses pressure and I have to push my foot further than normal, eventually my foot touches the floor of the vehicle and I can't push the brake any further, so I have to tap the gas and then re-engage the brake again. This is very dangerous if you are going downhill and come to a stop. I have taken my car numerous times, that it's getting to the point that its become an inconvenience to actually own the car, to the service department of the Nissan I purchased (Nissan of bergenfield in new jersey) and they have said nothing is wrong with the car, they looked at the brakes and even applied more pressure on the lines but still the issue persists. …
About a few hours after I signed the paperwork and drove off of the lot with my certified pre-owned vehicle, I heard a grinding sound (rear brakes). I took it back to the dealer that day and they claimed that there was probably debri due to the snow and sand on the roads. I didn't hear the sound again until March, when I took it to the service center at the dealership for an oil change. I had them check the brakes and they told me it was something ball bearings, or something like that. Bottom line, it didn't solve the problem. I took the car back to the dealership in May, with the same issue and they replaced the brake "kit." they told me that I shouldn't have anymore problems. I, in fact, did have the same problem again. June 1st I took the car to the dealership again for a brake issue, they took the rear system apart including the wheels, etc. …
NHTSA investigations
Excessive Brake Pedal Travel
On May 20, 2014, ODI opened PE14-014 based on eight complaints alleging incidents of excessive brake pedal travel in model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Nissan Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Note passenger cars (Figure 1) and information in Early Warning Reporting field reports indicating issues with master cylinder internal seals.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Nissan identified a condition…
Brake complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Nissan Sentra, 15% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Sentra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Nissan Sentra, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Sentra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.