Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 his wife was driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle began to slide, hydroplane, and crash into a cement ditch drain. There were no warning lights illuminated. The passenger side seat belt failed to lock completely, and the occupant was thrown around in the vehicle. The occupant who was occupying the passenger side front seat was taken to the hospital, and it was confirmed that he sustained right elbow and air bag burns and lower intestines injuries. The air bag was deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who test-drove the vehicle prior to the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality without warning, causing the steering wheel to become stiff. The vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the axle had fractured causing the failure. the axle was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, she heard an abnormal bumping sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver, causing the contact to almost lose control of the vehicle. The contact did not recall whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and replaced the flat tire with the assistance of the towing company. Then, the contact drove to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger's side front tire and the passenger's side rear tire needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the tires were replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V461000 (Steering) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and pulling out of a parking lot on a leveled road surface, the vehicle hit a pothole, and upon attempting to make a turn, the vehicle made a popping sound and the front passenger's side wheel seized. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that while a bystander was inspecting the front passenger's side wheel, a piece of the tie rod fell onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the tie rod had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer and a second dealer, Kraft Nissan (3277 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308) were contacted. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The power steering warning light and the collision warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact had not yet been informed of the diagnostic result. The contact was informed that the parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, and the vibration was felt through the brake pedal. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had since become a recurring failure at speeds above 50 MPH. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes independently activated as if there was an object in front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from underneath the steering wheel. The contact then lost control of the vehicle momentarily during a rainstorm. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the AEB warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owned a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 30 mph, when the driver was merging into a lane when the driver heard an unidentified noise and lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags did deploy. The driver had a laceration and bruise and swelling in the left knee. The driver declined medical treatment at the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was later deemed as a totaled loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, a crackling type noise was present coming from the steering column and the wheel would not immediately turn. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
Remedy: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right tie rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Steering complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Nissan Sentra, 30% of the model year's 132 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Nissan Sentra steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-581 (tie rod assembly, Aug 15, 2023); NHTSA recall 21V-461 (tie rod assembly, Jun 17, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Nissan Sentra steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to steering 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.