Reliable Auto DB

2020 Nissan Sentra reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Nissan Sentra has 205 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 21 per year. That is about even with the other Sentra years here. Their median is 22 complaints per year. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Tie rod, and Headlights.

2012 Nissan Sentra
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

205

Per year

21

Recalls

4

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (60 of 205), then Steering (55) and Electrical system (45). Those filings include 8 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Sentra has 222 complaints, 28 per year, and the 2021 has 131 complaints, 23 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Nissan Sentra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-09-08 · NHTSA campaign 23V628000
Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
Recall steering, linkages, tie rod 2023-08-15 · NHTSA campaign 23V581000
Summary 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. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 27, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2022-04-13 · NHTSA campaign 22V244000
Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Sentra vehicles, equipped with LED headlights. The right-hand headlight aim may be misaligned. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Dealers will replace the right-hand headlight, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R20B4.
Recall steering, linkages, tie rod 2021-06-17 · NHTSA campaign 21V461000
Summary 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. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.

Complaints by component (205 total)

Forward collision avoidance
60
Steering
55
Electrical system
45
Service brakes
25
Back-over prevention
11
Suspension
10
Engine
9
Powertrain
9
Lane departure
6
Exterior lighting
5
Speed control
5
Wheels
5
Structure
4
Visibility and wipers
4
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Seat belts
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

8

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

102020322021212022412023562024332025122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The back up camera frequently goes blank when the car is put in reverse. This is a safety hazard as I can't see what is behind me when I am backing up. Upon further research, this is common in Nissan Sentras around this…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-09-21
  • "3/4 doors will not lock/unlock using fob, or the door controllers. This increases risk of theft, car jacking, and safety as the locks do not engage while driving. Very dangerous. Windows do not roll up/down, which when…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-23
  • "The power unlock on all four doors of my car doors will no longer operate via key fob, outside lock button or interior power unlock buttons, although the doors can all be locked using those same processes. In addition,…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-08
  • "The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was off centered and the vehicle vibrated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle vibrated…"
    Steering · filed 2026-07-07
  • "I have an Nissan Sentra sv 2020 and steering rack is causing problems when I drive my car, making my whole steering wheel shake when I go 60 on the highway, it also makes noises when I try to gently press on the gas…"
    Steering · filed 2026-07-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Sentra 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 29 39 33 MPG $1950
Sentra SR 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 28 37 32 MPG $2050

Specs and fitment

8th generation (B18), 2020–present
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 (2.0L)
Tire size 205/60R16 to 215/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V461000. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. 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. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Nissan Sentra Next year 2021 Nissan Sentra See every Nissan Sentra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra reliable?

The 2020 Nissan Sentra has 205 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 21 per year. That is about even with the other Sentra years here. Their median is 22 complaints per year. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Tie rod, and Headlights.

What are common problems with a 2020 Nissan Sentra?

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (60 of 205), then Steering (55) and Electrical system (45). Those filings include 8 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Sentra has 222 complaints, 28 per year, and the 2021 has 131 complaints, 23 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021.

Has the 2020 Nissan Sentra been recalled?

The 2020 Nissan Sentra has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Nissan Sentra?

Owners have filed 205 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Nissan Sentra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Nissan Sentra is 32.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Sentra take?

0W-20 (1.8L and 2.0L)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-253 cover on the Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA campaign 17V253000.

What generation is the 2013 Nissan Sentra?

7th generation (B17) (2012-2019).