Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the granddaughter was driving approximately at 30 MPH, she was stopped by the police due to the taillights not functioning. The contact took the vehicle to a local auto parts store and had a fuse replaced. When she reached her destination and turned off the vehicle, the instrument panel warning lights and headlights activated; additionally, the battery was drained. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness had a "thermal breakdown" and confirmed that several wires were burnt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) after experiencing the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact was driving under 10 MPH when she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The parking brake was activated however, the vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was still being diagnosed by the Insurance company and had not been repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer had not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated shortly after she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated experienced the same failure in July for a second time. The contact stated she was able to jump-start start battery and was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated on September 23, 2022 while approaching a railroad track and depress the brake pedal to slow down the speed when another vehicle rear-ended her. The contact stated no air bags deploys. The contact stated no one was injured not sought medications. The contact was informed by the other driver he did not notice she was slowing down nor saw the brake light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact's daughter pressed the engine Auto Start/Stop button again, the vehicle restarted. The contact had AAA test that the battery, which had no failure, and it was determined that the brake light switch had failed. The cruise control later failed to operate as needed, and the message "Automatic Emergency Braking Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that he was informed by other drivers that the brake lights failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal while coming to a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently and would only restart after being jump-started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,600. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the Push-to-Start feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed stop-light switch. The contact was informed that the stoplight switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in October 2023, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the stop lamp switch was replaced with a temporary switch. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the automatic braking system applied inadvertently and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the ABS malfunction indicator light (MIL) had been illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that he was contacted by the dealer and informed that the final remedy was available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that on one occasion after turning off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately restart. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Vin tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was 11,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would experience a delayed upshift upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. Additionally, the contact stated that the stop lamps would fail to illuminate upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,400.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving, another motorist informed him that the brake lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lights). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the recall repair was a one-time free repair. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 149,475.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2019 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the lights of the 2019 Nissan Sentra, 13% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Nissan Sentra headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-135 (switch, Mar 3, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Nissan Sentra headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.