Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 10 | 24% | 37,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 20% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 31 | 38% | 50,000 miles |
| 2021 | 40 | 30% | 33,000 miles |
| 2020 | 55 | 27% | 50,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2017 | 14 | 6% | 42,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% | 48,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2013 | 16 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% | 76,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 6% | 21,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 20% | 56,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% | 45,000 miles |
| 2007 | 30 | 19% | 49,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% | 139,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1999 | 3 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact rented a 2024 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, the contact noticed a slight rubbing like sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH over a rumble strip later, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle, and the steering wheel suddenly failed, causing the vehicle to lose directional control. The vehicle veered to the right, crossed multiple lanes before stopping on a gravel shudder. Upon exiting and inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that both the two front wheels were towed inward at approximately a 40-degree angle. The vehicle was later towed to the rental car company. The cause of the failure was unknown. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,040. The VIN was not available.
In December 2025, the vehicle was towed to the dealer after it shut off and would not restart. No warning lights displayed, no low fuel light displayed either. Dealer attributed stall to low fuel (fuel range showed 30 miles remaining), found no diagnostic codes, attributed it to low fuel, added gas, and released the vehicle and charged a DX fee. In February 2026 (approximately two months later), the vehicle lost power again while being driven and was rear-ended while disabled. Post-collision dash photos show approximately half a tank of fuel and malfunction indicators illuminated. The dealership had notice of a shutdown event and failed to properly diagnose or investigate before returning the vehicle as safe in December. My daughter was injured as a result of the rear end accident. The vehicle was a total loss.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that after making a right turn while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle jerked to the right and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained back pain from the crash, and medical attention was later received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tie rod had fractured and needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that before the failure, the vehicle had driven over some potholes on the road. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
After 8 months of driving my car brand new I started experiencing multiple intermittent malfunctions in the dash board & infotainment system. I have documentation of DTC codes current in my ECU. These codes each dealership refused to find and instead replaced my car battery, wiping the codes & replacing my infotainment system after it completely failed. After repeated repair attempts each dealership failed to successfully repair under warranty & told me to drive the car as normal when these malfunctions continued. These electrical malfunctions were at one point affecting my alternator which I also have documentation of. The car has lost power yet the engine stays running while I am driving. My handsfree is intermittent everyday. I am now way past my warranty & extended warranty due to following dealerships advice to drive the car as normal and bring back. …
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering was difficult to maintain as the vehicle drifted and the steering wheel was stiff. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front end needed to be aligned. The vehicle was repaired, but the same and additional failures reoccurred less than a year later. The contact stated that on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel began pulling and shaking, and she observed a loud noise emanating from under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both wheel bearings, the sway bar, and the front axle were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately six months later. …
The contact's fianc e owns a 2022 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly, and the front end of the vehicle was making an abnormally loud knocking sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact became aware of that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering), which he related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
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.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Sentra years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (55), 2021 (40), 2022 (31), 2007 (30) and 2013 (16) model years. Steering complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Nissan Sentra steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-581 (tie rod assembly, Aug 15, 2023); 21V-461 (tie rod assembly, Jun 17, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Sentra steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (12 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (8).
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.