2019 Nissan Sentra Brakes Problems

I am writing to formally report a safety-related defect in my 2019 Nissan Sentra and to request reimbursement for repair costs associated with this issue. My vehicle experienced a failure of the brake light switch, which prevented the car from starting and disabled the brake lights—posing a serious safety hazard. Although I have been informed that my vehicle is not currently included in Recall Campaign PM971, the symptoms and defective part match the recall description precisely. I have verified my VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup tool, and I am concerned that the recall scope may be too narrow, excluding vehicles that are clearly affected. This defect required immediate repair to restore basic vehicle functionality and ensure safety. I have attached documentation of the repair, including the invoice and diagnostic notes, for your review. I respectfully request the following: Reimbursement for the cost of the brake light switch repair. A formal review of my vehicle’s eligibility for Recall PM971. Consideration for expanding the recall to include additional affected vehicles, including mine. I am submitting this complaint in the interest of safety and fairness—not only for myself but for other Nissan owners who may be facing the same issue without recourse. I trust that Nissan will take this matter seriously and respond with the integrity and customer care that your brand represents. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

NHTSA ID

11688621

Incident

Sep 5, 2025

Push to start is having issues. Break stiffens up and car wont start.

NHTSA ID

11687368

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

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 situations where I was stranded with my child in unsafe areas due to the car failing to start. The car’s brake system is critical to safe operation and starting function, and failure of this component puts both myself and my child at risk. I believe the recall was never performed and was falsely marked as completed or was never properly associated with my VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why this VIN is not being flagged for an active recall, despite clear matching symptoms and lack of documented repair. I also request that Nissan be required to fulfill the safety repair free of charge under the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11668768

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

The car will not register the brake activation to be able to start the vehicle. Hence, we have a broken car that now doesn’t work

NHTSA ID

11612069

Incident

Sep 1, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11604180

Incident

Jul 19, 2024

On 05/03/24; my CVT failed in my 2019 Nissan Sentra. From 05/03-06/07 Manchester City Nissan had my vehicle. As there were issues fixing my CVT that was blamed on paperwork. Upon picking up my vehicle I noticed there was a brake issue. As the brakes don't push back when needing to use them. No lights on. Replaced tires, brakes and rotors. Still an issue. Shop believes it is my ABS that is faulty/failed. If I encounter the need to brake quickly; this can result in a serious collision.

NHTSA ID

11595115

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

I am having really bad transmission issues. my car screen for GPS, Bluetooth doesnt even work... or wont even play my bluetooth music half the time... my sunroof, will not go down anymore. this is a 2019 Nissian Sentra i just GOT 5 months ago..

NHTSA ID

11582556

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

I keep having issues with AEB system. The emergency braking system that is supposed to sense cars in front of you and brake for you if you don’t brake yourself. I was doing about 70 mph no one else on road sunny day and my car starts beeping loudly and my brakes lock up for no reason. 3 times just today this happened. Oh and you can’t turn the system off so I just keep praying it doesn’t kill me one of these days on the interstate. Can’t believe this isn’t a recall probably won’t be until someone is seriously injured. My neck hurts from whiplash but can’t go to the hospital for that with the price of my insurance copay. Don’t buy a Nissan if you read this never buy a Nissan.

NHTSA ID

11581606

Incident

Apr 7, 2024

Left front vibrations and steering issues. Also start button won't engage even after repair. Trouble stating car and interferes with remote starting.

NHTSA ID

11573706

Incident

Jan 20, 2024

My vehicle is unsafe to drive as now its alerting me of Malfunction EBS. The alert is a constant beep and the EBS will start to activate when no vehicles are present to avoid a collision.

NHTSA ID

11552948

Incident

Oct 29, 2023

Brake felt like it was sticking. Dealership looked at it and changed rubber piece. 10/16/2023 accident occurred. Air bags did not deplore. Car was totalled.

NHTSA ID

11551116

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

This warning light has been present since I test drove this car in March 2023. The dealership stated if I purchased the vehicle they would fix the issue before I took delivery after purchasing the vehicle in March 2023 the warring light came on several times within hours of picking up the vehicle. I took the vehicle back to the dealer at least twice within a week or so to have them fix the issue, finally the service department at McGee took the car to Mastria Nissan. Mastria is a certified Nissan dealer. Mastria fixed the issue by re-calibrating the sensor in the front bumper that governs the Automatic Braking System (AEB). This sensor also controls the cruise control system as well. Mastria Nissan fixed the sensor on or around May 12, 2023. It is now September 2023 and this same sensor, same warning light and same error code is coming on continuously every time I drive the vehicle. That is less than 4 months of driving. I have checked around the sensor. There are no obstructions around the sensor. There is no dirt or corrosion around the sensor and it is extremely affixed to its mounting bracket. There is no logical reason for this sensor to be failing within less than 4 months of driving. This is a poor and shoddy design malfunction on Nissan’s part. This defective equipment installed on my 2019 Nissan Sentra is a serious safety concern. If this sensor stops working or malfunctions while driving, this could cause a loss of control while on the road. As this sensor governs the AED system this could cause a loss of control while on the road or worse. I could end up driving off the road uncontrolled. It could also result in a collision with another vehicle on the road. This safety issue needs to be fixed by Nissan.

NHTSA ID

11546933

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

i have reported this before with no resolution. the vehicle that financed (2019 Nissan Sentra SV) ALWAYS slows down during acceleration causing the car to jerk myself and passenger(s) forward and the car to make grinding sounds and would only allow continued driving after the car decelerated when there was NO vehicle in the front vicinity of the car. The transmission is at present in need of replacement and the Nissan manufacturer is saying I am responsible for fixing it with a cost of $2600.00 with less than 100k This should not be an expense that I have to pay when I reported this issue months ago and several owner/operators of this car are having the same as me problem!

NHTSA ID

11542454

Incident

Apr 4, 2023

Driving 20 mph at night on a road that was recently torn up for road resurfacing. Manhole covers were raised but not contacting the underside of the car. I was attempting to drive so that I did not have to run over the manhole covers and the automatic braking system beeped twice, flashed an advisory on the dash, and engaged full anti-skid brakes to bring the car to a complete stop. Thankfully, there was not a vehicle behind me, or my pregnant wife & I would have definitely been rear ended. I suspect the radar system, mounted on the lower left of the front bumper, picked up the manhole covers and mistook them as another car. There is a way to turn off this system, but it resets each time you restart the car. I am looking to permanently disable this system, either by a fuse or by physically disconnecting the radar from the car.

NHTSA ID

11535341

Incident

Jul 28, 2023

Several electrical and transmission problems. Vehicle over exerts battery. Transmission goes out of overdrive while driving . Collusion avoidance radar constantly goes into malfunction modes. Car over heats.

NHTSA ID

11533437

Incident

Jul 17, 2023

When in reverse, brake pedal goes all the way to the floor when I push the pedal to stop. Also, once in forward, brake pedal went all the way to the floor when pushing the brake pedal to stop.

NHTSA ID

11511358

Incident

Mar 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, excessive pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal for the vehicle to start. The contact stated that starting the vehicle took longer than normal due to the failure. Additionally, the brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5.

NHTSA ID

11510735

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

5 mi

The battery light comes on every time I break...I have had the brake ignition replaced twice...the battery has been replaced but the issue continues..I have had to have the car jumped several times. The brake ignition was under recall and was replaced twice but it is still giving me issues. The radio works when it wants too.

NHTSA ID

11467892

Incident

Jun 6, 2022

At the beginning of June in 2021 my car started showing signs of failing to start. This led to some problems with it driving and the automatic braking system causing problems. The dealer ship fix the piece that connects under the brakes. It was some kind of sensor. This on June 12 of 2021. March 28 2022 I had the problem my car was not starting. I took it in to the dealership they replaced my battery March 29th my check engine light came on I got to codes PO 101 and PO 315. I paid to get the sensors repaid and was told that my crankshaft should be all right if I clean it or I can replace it. I took the car in again April 20 because it was failing to start. The individual who help me in services had the same problem. They brought out their mechanic and the mechanic said no codes were shown. She explained to me that it might be an issue with the Battery that they replaced. I have taken the car to the same dealership to get everything fixed I have also worked with the same person in regards to my problems

NHTSA ID

11461574

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the granddaughter was driving approximately at 30 MPH, she was stopped by the police due to the taillights not functioning. The contact took the vehicle to a local auto parts store and had a fuse replaced. When she reached her destination and turned off the vehicle, the instrument panel warning lights and headlights activated; additionally, the battery was drained. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness had a "thermal breakdown" and confirmed that several wires were burnt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) after experiencing the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11455209

Incident

Jan 3, 2022

Mileage

26,000 mi

The contact's wife owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the stop lamp switch was replaced with a temporary switch. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the automatic braking system applied inadvertently and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the ABS malfunction indicator light (MIL) had been illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that he was contacted by the dealer and informed that the final remedy was available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11454996

Incident

Mar 3, 2022

Mileage

69,300 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she had to forcefully depress the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting).The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ID

11450141

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

Mileage

38,000 mi

My insurance never covered the amount I was ensuring my car before because the recalls

NHTSA ID

11444798

Incident

Nov 20, 2020

This is now the 3rd time my car is going in for the same problem. This is a leased 2019 vehicle. I have been Stranded because of this & Lost pay because I could not get to work. This is So unacceptable.. This car is a lemon, & I do not feel safe in this car anymore.

NHTSA ID

11436262

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

I have been telling Nissan in my town and they say that know about this AEB malfunction. My husband and I couldve died! We were on the interstate late at night going about 80 mpl when the AEB system activated by itself and slammed on the breaks. We started the spin out and the traction control came on and ABS shut off effectively locking up my tires and throwing me into a full spin which resulted in my crashing into the gaurd rail. I've never been more scared in my life. Add this to the list with the transmission issues.

NHTSA ID

11422026

Incident

Jun 21, 2021