2019 Nissan Sentra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Nissan Sentra has a complaint index of 85, the 4th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported electrical system problems (39% of complaints), followed by transmission and brake issues, plus two recalls covering brake lights and back-up camera software.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Sentra years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 222
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 27 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2019 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System87 (39%)
- Transmission & Powertrain54 (24%)
- Other49 (22%)
- Brakes42 (19%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras36 (16%)
- Engine29 (13%)
- Airbags14 (6%)
- Structure & Body8 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
- Seat Belts4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake lights fail to illuminate due to a contaminated brake light switch, sometimes leading police to pull the car over.
- Front airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes even though side airbags fire, with the dashboard showing 'refer to owner's manual.'
- Automatic emergency braking or brake sensors give no warning before a rear-end or frontal collision.
- Taillights and instrument panel lights stop working intermittently, with a warning light referring drivers to the manual.
- Vehicle fails to stop when the brake pedal is depressed at low speed, resulting in a rear-end collision with no dashboard warning.
2019 Nissan Sentra recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V135000Mar 3, 2021Electrical System807,376 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Risk: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
- NHTSA 19V654000Sep 12, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,228,830 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2019 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 Sentra has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst among 21 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sentra years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Nissan Sentra?
- Owners most often reported electrical system issues (39% of complaints, median mileage 36,000), followed by transmission and powertrain problems (24%) and brake issues (19%).
- Does the 2019 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a contaminated brake light switch that can prevent brake lights from working, and one for back-up camera settings software affecting several Nissan models.
- Did airbags fail to deploy in the 2019 Sentra?
- NHTSA complaints include several reports of front airbags not deploying in crashes, with the airbags problem area linked to 9 crashes out of 14 complaints.
- How does the 2019 Sentra compare to other Sentra years?
- The 2019 Sentra's complaint index of 85 is higher than most other years; only 2013 (100), 2015 (95), and 2014 (90) rank worse, while 2023 and 2024 are the Best-rated years.