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2020 Nissan Sentra Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Jun 26, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 204 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Nissan Sentra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 26, 2025
Crash reported

Vehicle had AEB System malfunctioning. The brakes did NOT work. The emergency brake barely worked. We were driving on Fathers Day to a family gathering and the system and brakes malfunctioned, yes we collided with the Curb and debris on the side of the road cause curb rash to the rims. No major damage. This would be the 3rd this has happened to my vehicle in particular. Dealers say the manufacturer doesn’t cover brake line damage or issue even due to factory fault/ defect.

NHTSA ID
11669440
Incident
Jun 16, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 24, 2025

On June 10 2025 the brake sensor malfunctioned for my 2020 Nissan Sentra This was the secound timeThe first time was about one week before..The brake peddle went down , car brakes ,brakes.I was driving speed limit of 20.There were no cars on the street or object.A yellow triangle appeared on the dash board..It scared me ,This is a safety hazard that can cause a accident.The next morning my car didn't start.There were a few symbols on the dashboard..I had it towed to the car dealer.They put a new battery.I just bought it May 04 2025.I was told no sensors were on, Mechanic didn't find anything. As of now I have bot picked up my car from the car dealer. 06/24/2025

NHTSA ID
11668938
Incident
Jun 10, 2025
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2025

Brake caliper piston popped out of brake caliper

NHTSA ID
11654881
Incident
Apr 11, 2025
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the word "Malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.

NHTSA ID
11599299
Incident
Jun 26, 2024
Mileage
41,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2024

There has been numerous battery drains, can't charge phone without draining battery. I got and error code P062F Internal Control Module EEPROM. ERROR. and a battery power supply error code

NHTSA ID
11592542
Incident
May 4, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 20, 2024

AEB system has been malfunctioning when driving applying brakes without warning.

NHTSA ID
11573015
Incident
Feb 20, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 2, 2024

On a few occasions, while driving, the forward collision warning came on causing the car to automatically brake when there were no cars in front of or around the car. Brought the car to dealer and was quoted $2057.50. After that, all 4 automatic door locks stopped working. Brought car to dealer again and was quoted $1375.00 to replace the door actuators for a grand total of $3658.78. Nissan consumer affairs was called and they said they would only cover 50% of the repairs. These items are huge safety issues and Nissan should cover the entire bill.

NHTSA ID
11569569
Incident
Oct 2, 2023
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sporadically braked. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact to replace the battery. The battery was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11535891
Incident
Jan 15, 2023
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 29, 2023

I was traveling on a multi lane road at a speed of approximately 45 mph. There were cars directly behind me. Multiple pedestrian crossings were in front of me but the pedestrians had already crossed the road and were safely on the sidewalk. However, the caution lights from the crosswalk were still illuminated from the pedestrians that had previously crossed. As I reached the pedestrian crossing, the vehicle’s front collision warning system activated and immediately applied heavy brake pressure. There was nothing I could do to override it and since there was nothing in front of my vehicle, the cars behind me were not expecting a sudden stop. The car behind me was able to stop in time but narrowly avoided a collision with the rear of my vehicle as a result.

NHTSA ID
11519596
Incident
Apr 28, 2023
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 2, 2023

Automatic Emergency Braking and Front Collision Avoidance system has caused the vehicle to brake when there is nothing in front of vehicle, or show "System Malfunction" on the dash. Dealer unable to duplicate but said it happens to most Nissan Sentra's. Found it happens more frequently when there is rain or bad weather.

NHTSA ID
11509879
Incident
Mar 2, 2023
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 23, 2022

At 5:44 on Hwy 50/Elizabeth Ave in Pueblo, CO. The automatic emergency braking system locked up with no reason for it to do so. Thankfully we were not rear ended. I have documented via photograph of this system error alert coming on several times a week while driving this vehicle. It has been to the dealership now twice for this issue and will be making yet another appt to get the car back in again.

NHTSA ID
11498722
Incident
Dec 23, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 3, 2022
Crash reported

My daughter was driving her 2020 Nissan Sentra the other day and was trying to avoid hitting a dog that ran in front of her car she crashed into a park car. Our Nissan Sentra anti brakes did not stop the car nor make a noise before hitting that parked car. No warning from our car to prevent this head on collision. There is so much damage that our insurance has deemed it a total loss. By the grace of God daughter is physically fine but mentally she is not!! As a parent I felt comfortable with my daughter driving this car at first. I have witness the anti brakes work on our 2020 Nissan Sentra before, when we would get near an object the car would automatically stop! We are now out of a car and I'm still going to owe a balance to my finance company once the insurance pay whatever they're going to pay. This is so unfair and heartbreaking that this important feature on this car failed my daughter when she needed it the most. WHY????????

NHTSA ID
11495913
Incident
Nov 30, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 12, 2022

My car on two occasions came to a stop while driving . Nothing was in front of me at all. A flashing light came on on the dashboard and my car came to a hault. This was very frightening and now I am afraid to drive the car. The dealership said nothing they can do. This issues needs to be addressed and fixed and a recall needs to be done. This is a huge safety issue!!

NHTSA ID
11478995
Incident
Jul 21, 2022
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 14, 2022

Locks on doors would not work with remote, and to get out keys to get fixed. When to Nissan 2 times for them to fix. Dark at night could not get in car safely. No warning signs Windows would not go up or down, had to get windows fixed, due to rain can hinder my vison while driving. No warnings, Nissan fixed after going back two times Back up Camera had to be replaced or fixed. Car would not start. Said it was a break lamp sensor, which was recalled on 2019 and prior Nissan Sentra's. I have a 2020 no recall yet No incident has happened yet, but could cause grave danger if not fixed! This whole car needs to be recalled!

NHTSA ID
11456597
Incident
Mar 12, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2022

I was driving down the highway and my Automatic emergency brakes system decided to kick in. Scared the hell out of me. nobody was hurt thank God! Luckily there was no cars around me. Or im sure i could have been seriously hurt or even killed. I took the vehicle to nissan dealership they kept my car for 3 months and supposedly they fixed the problem. But i have proof of the messages and lights on my dash telling me malfucntion. Like wth?

NHTSA ID
11449964
Incident
Oct 7, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 30, 2021

I was driving the 60mph speed limit on the highway. The car automatically braked and said an object was on the road. The cruise control was not available due to the error message that popped up. My safety and the safety of my 3 children were at risk because if there were a car behind me, they would have rear ended me, especially going for 60mph to a sudden jerking stop such as that. I was told that some nissan's distance sensors are malfunctioning this way, but my car is not added to the recall, so I will have to save up to get it corrected. I bought this car brand new last year.

NHTSA ID
11435030
Incident
Jun 14, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 2, 2021

While driving my 2020 nissan sentra, my car proceeded to brake on its own while i was depressing the accelerator. A red warning light flashed across the dash that looked like 2 cars colliding. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle, even though it was acting erratically. The braking occurred abruptly startling me and the drivers around me. Thankfully, the car did not cause a collision. The incidence scared me immensely causing my heart to palpitate and raising my blood pressure. I looked for the indicator light in my manual after I had come to a complete stop and was able to calm down after the scare. The warning was the automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection system warning light. The thing was, there were no pedestrians anywhere near my vehicle, nor were there any other vehicles or objects that could've possibly set the system off. It was clear that this system in my car was malfunction. I'm truly scared to drive my car now. I took the car to the dealer to have it looked at and fixed, however, a couple of weeks later, the same incidence occurred. This time I had my elderly mother in the car with me. She was able to witness what I had previously experienced. It scared her as well. This malfunction is going to cause unnecessary collisions that will result in harm to someone. This malfunction could easily induce an accident. It is also causing unnecessary wear and tear on vehicle due to the forceful nature of the abrupt braking. I will likely be trading this car in because the dealership cannot seem to remedy the problem. i spend a great deal of time in my car, and I cannot take the risk that this car imposes.

NHTSA ID
11431553
Incident
Jul 14, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 4, 2021

Driving 40 mph car for no reason slams on break. Flashing large Red warning across the screen.The car is Unsafe to drive. Can cause a fatal accident. Passenger and driver at risk for injury due to unaware sudden stop on road while driving. When this happened Driver has no control of car. Before the car was purchased I saw a yellow buzzing light. The seller said to leave it over night for repair. The next day I was told by the seller the car was inspected and repaired by manufacturer. The seller said the car was fixed. When I drove it off the lot, the yellow light was still coming on buzzing. Then the car malfunctioned on the road.

NHTSA ID
11423374
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 11, 2021

THE FRONT RADAR (OBSTRUCTION DETECTOR) IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY BREAK EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN FEBRUARY 2021. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INITIALLY BRUSHED ME OFF AND BLAMED SNOW, RAIN AND SOOT. I CALLED NISAN CORPORATE OFFICE AND THE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DETECTOR WAS CHANGED. HOWEVER, THREE WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWICE WITHIN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD. A SUDDEN BREAK, THE DETECTOR WARNING FLASHING AND NO OBSTRUCTION. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND I WAS NOT GOING OVER 45 MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE THIS CAN PRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I CAN BE REAR ENDED. THE CAR LITERALLY CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA ID
11407505
Incident
Apr 9, 2021
Mileage
3,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 7, 2021

THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHILE IN MOTION, EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET BETWEEN 25-40MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN SERVICE CENTER 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11406886
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Mileage
1 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 12, 2021

THE CAR BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN NOTHING IS AROUND . I WAS ON CITY STREET

NHTSA ID
11402533
Incident
Mar 5, 2021
Mileage
9,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 17, 2021

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2020. I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE MY CAR HAS ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. TWO TIMES I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE LAST TIME I WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. DURING THESE TIMES, I WAS DRIVING WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME. THE CAR SLAMS ON THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE WITH NISSAN TONIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11396652
Incident
Feb 16, 2021
Mileage
6,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 6, 2021

WHEN DRIVING IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN RANDOMLY. HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES NOW SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO EACH TIME ON A CITY STREET. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING 45 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET (HEADING SOUTHBOUND ON EL CAMINO AVE AT SAN BRUNO AVE IN SAN BRUNO CA) THE EMERGENCY FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM TURNED ON RANDOMLY, CAUSING MY CAR TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AND ALMOST CAUSING A TRAFFIC COLLISION.

NHTSA ID
11394926
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2020

WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 7 WEEKS, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE AUTOMATIC FRONT COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES IN THE ROADWAY AT THE TIME. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS TRAVELLING AT LESS THAN 25 MPH GOING UP HILL.

NHTSA ID
11365387
Incident
Oct 12, 2020
Mileage
450 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 28, 2020

SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DETECTION ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. ICON ADVISING AEB BRAKE FAILURE DETECTED LIGHT ENGAGED AND STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID
11361437
Incident
Sep 26, 2020
Mileage
5,010 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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