Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in cruise control mode, the brakes applied independently without being depressed. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated, and the cruise control mode was deactivated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle in front suddenly braked and the contact applied the brake pedal but they failed to respond and he rear-ended the vehicle. The contact stated that all air bags had deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the emergency brake warning light had illuminated. In addition, the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not come to a complete stop and rolled forward. The contact stated that they had crashed into a vehicle in front of them. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front vehicle sensory and the bumper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal failure reoccured on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the instrument panel went black. An unknown warning light then displayed and the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. Immediately after the failure, the vehicle started driving as intended. During the failure there were no other vehicles or objects nearby. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the distance sensor however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. No further information was available. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,800.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving in a car wash drive-thru line, the brakes applied independently. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated an unknown yellow and black warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was unable to open or start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle jump started. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,765.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the parking braking independently activated. The failure occurred a second time, and the parking brake unintendedly activated. There was no warning light illuminated. On the third occasion, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the parking brake activated unintendedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, nearly causing a crash with another vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,414.
Steer rod recall effective as of 6/17/21 yet ignored by enterprise rental car company. Lost control, car hit guard rails. No cooperation from insurance nor rental company. Police got it Towed on 1/26/2022 to alpine automotive, lake Zurich illinois, enterprise holdings picked it up on 1/28/2022. No other information provided by any party on estimate of damages, nor medical coverage due to "insurance policies"
My accident was with Nissan Sentra veering out of control. I was lucky, see others who weren't in past few weeks: https://kfoxtv.com/amp/news/local/deadly-accident-in-collision-on-i-10-at-lee-trevino https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/02/03/maryville-man-dies-after-car-lands-little-river/ https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/maryville-man-killed-in-single-vehicle-crash/article_aa06d64b-879e-5544-b0f0-4146ff9fc63b.html https://www.mymoinfo.com/arnold-woman-seriously-injured-in-141-accident/ https://www.13newsnow.com/amp/article/news/local/peninsulanow/deadly-vehicle-crash-fire-york-county-virginia/291-4ec8fe5a-fd6d-4058-ac6a-cbb007c04f76 https://www.kwch.com/2022/02/02/accidents-reported-across-state/ https://www.wibw.com/2022/02/03/vehicle-hits-wichita-police-car-that-stopped-assist-motorist/ …
On 2 July 2022, I was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 in a rented 2021 Nissan Sentra. While DRIVING the brakes unexpectedly LOCKED and did NOT release, affecting the steering, and causing the vehicle to spin out in a circle across major highway lanes crashing head on into a guardrail on the left side of the interstate. This is a MAJOR SAFETY concern as when an individual is DRIVING a vehicle, they need to be able to control NOT ONLY the direction of the vehicle, but when that vehicle brakes. When the brakes LOCKED while DRIVING, so did the steering, causing there to be NO CONTROL of a vehicle traveling down a major Florida interstate. Had there been impact by another vehicle while the 2021 NissanSentra brake malfunction caused it to spin out across major highway lanes, such would have been fatal to both me & the unexpected driver also traveling southbound on I95. …
The automated break system came on while I was driving 2 times within 3 days without anything being in front, the back or on the side of the car. When this happened there was a few beeping noise and a quick red flash on the dashboard that said maintenance.This started happening the next day after getting an oil change from the Nissan dealership. My safety was at risked because when the car suddenly and unexpectedly stopped it jerked my body forward causing my neck to become sore. This can cause greater injury or worst if I was going any faster. If someone was behind me it could cause them to crash into me which would be doing the opposite of the purpose of the safety feature. I took the car in to the dealership and nothing could be done because there wasn't a code and it didn't happen in the presence of the mechanic. …
AEB system is initiating emergency braking at random times. Both on surface street, and the freeway on ramp. With and without weather, and without any obstacles or cars in the way. The vehicle comes it a complete stop when this happens and puts the driver in significant danger. At this point the dealer observed warning code on the dashboard, but it did not engage. Message relating to that the AEB may deploy. When it does happen Emergency Brake is on the dashboard. After it happens vehicle can resume driving. Various indicines happened last year. We took it to Ken Garff Nissan (11155 So. Jordan Gateway in South Jordan, Ut. 84095. They could not find the problem or get the problem reproduced. They recommended turning off the safety features when driving. We have done that for a year. …
Brake complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Nissan Sentra, 19% of the model year's 132 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Nissan Sentra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, though it has 3 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 2021 Nissan Sentra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 80% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.