Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Nissan Sentra Nismo problems
Owners filed 202 complaints about the 2019 Nissan Sentra Nismo with NHTSA between Dec 2018 and Jun 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (57).
Complaints
202
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system57
- Power train49
- Service brakes35
- Forward collision avoidance31
- Exterior lighting26
- Engine19
- Air bags14
- Vehicle speed control12
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Structure4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Seat belts4
- Suspension3
- Steering3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
22
24
38
34
43
30
10
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 10 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
57 reports1 crash
“I purchased a 2019 Nissan Sentra SR (VIN: [XXX] ) as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Star Nissan in Bayside, NY on [XXX]. Since the day of purchase, I have experienced repeated failures when trying to start the vehicle using the push-button ignition. Specifically, when pressing the brake pedal to start the car, nothing happens — the brake does not register, and the engine will not start. This issue directly matches the symptoms outlined in NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Nissan Campaign PM971), which addresses a known brake lamp switch defect in 2016–2019 Nissan Sentra models. I was not the original owner and was never notified of this recall. The selling dealership, who had custody of the car when the recall was issued, did not confirm or perform the required repair before reselling the vehicle to me. Nissan Consumer Affairs now claims there are “no open recalls” on my VIN, but the part in question — the brake switch — has never been replaced, and my Nissan service history confirms that it was not repaired. Instead, unrelated components like the brake booster were replaced multiple times, which did not resolve the issue. This defect has created multiple unsafe…”
Power train
49 reports1 crash
“Transmission actively failing. Transmission flush was done at dealership and car began jerking when accelerating and shifting gears. When the transmission flush was done, they did a multipoint inspection and said everything was clear. No lights have come on.”
Service brakes
35 reports6 crashes
“Having issues with my brake switch. I’ll press on the brakes but it won’t appear as if i’m pressing it which makes it hard for me to start my car. I have to wiggle the brake and press it numerous times for the brake lights to engage.”
Forward collision avoidance
31 reports4 crashes
“Transmission is slipping when trying to go up hills. Also crash detection sensor malfunction and these items need recalled. Especially the transmission when I see I'm not the only complaint.”
Exterior lighting
26 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while pressing the START/STOP button, the brake pedal seized, and the vehicle failed to start as needed. The contact continuously pressed the START/STOP button while depressing the brake pedal, and the vehicle eventually started. The contact stated that the stop lamp switch had previously been replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the stop lamp switch needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Engine
19 reports
“I got this car from Rocky Mount dealership in 2020, I mentioned less than 30 days it drove funny, then less than 6 months the car had recall, which with everything going on in the pandemic it took a while to get the piece for the recall…again which i reported that the car drove funny less than 5 days of my purchase. Nothing… When the car was service for the recall, i mentioned it drove funny but no lights were on and nothing could be determined due to the recall fixed. Fast forward to now 4 years later the car shakes, jerks, slow to accelerate and the RPM is jumpy. As well as when you switch gears as I’m looking at 3-5k to get this fixed.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.