2021 Nissan Sentra Electrical Problems

The infotainment/radio system in my 2021 Nissan Sentra intermittently reboots and produces static. When this happens, the backup camera freezes or shuts off completely. This has occurred while I was actively reversing, causing a sudden loss of rear visibility. The screen either goes black or restarts, making the backup camera unavailable. This is a safety concern because the backup camera is required for safe reversing, and the failure happens without warning. The issue occurs repeatedly and is not driver-related. The problem appears to be related to the head unit malfunctioning, which disables the backup camera system.

NHTSA ID

11733950

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

The passenger front, and both back windows no longer function. This appears to be a common issue when searching the internet. There is also an issue with the keyless start, as it often does not recognize that the fob is in the vehicle, or gives a low batter warning (with a new battery). As there was already a recall on the sensor for the blind spot warnings and such, there appears to be wide spread electrical and sensor issues with this year/make/model. The windows pose a safety risk if someone is trapped in a vehicle that the doors won't open.

NHTSA ID

11720638

Incident

Feb 26, 2026

Purchased brand new with 0 miles. The system malfunction popped up and engine would not turn over after running perfectly fine a hour prior.Had to get towed to dealership and found a faulty battery luckily I still had 100 or so miles left on my warranty.Happened again last month the same exact thing except this time I had to get a jump off after several minutes the engine finally turned over.

NHTSA ID

11703182

Incident

Oct 22, 2025

I got in the car to start it and it would not start. This happened at the car wash one morning. It didn’t give me any warnings of a bad battery and the only way I started it was to have someone jump it. This has happened 4 times now. It takes several minutes for the battery to charge to start the car. I have been stranded 2 times and could not get to work on time 2 times.

NHTSA ID

11700324

Incident

Nov 18, 2025

purchased my 2021 Nissan Sentra brand new with no prior owner. Around 2023, the air conditioning system stopped working. The AC will not turn on at all the switch or control that activates the system is completely unresponsive. I brought the vehicle to a Nissan dealership, where I was quoted $300 just for a diagnostic test, with no warranty coverage or acknowledgment of a known issue. This failure appears to be linked to a potential electrical fault or defective AC component. It compromises both comfort and safety, especially in extreme temperatures. Numerous complaints online suggest this is a recurring issue among Sentra owners, yet Nissan has not issued a recall for the AC system. I am submitting this report to request an investigation into a possible manufacturing defect and to advocate for a formal recall.

NHTSA ID

11698858

Incident

May 12, 2023

Since having my Nissan 2021 Sentra I have for one, had to replace the battery in it twice. On a more serious note, it is now stopping the car at random and unnecessary times stating an object is in front of me. It happens once a while ago and I did not have any other signs, and it was just for a second, so I tried not to stress about it. Now it is happening more often and just this morning happened three times. Causing my car to come to a complete stop, it is very dangerous and I am not sure what I am to do about it.

NHTSA ID

11691787

Incident

Oct 7, 2025

Passenger side power windows and driver side rear window on occasion will stop working.

NHTSA ID

11691338

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

I and many others have noticed that the 2020+ Nissan Sentra has a very common issue with its window switch where the driver side window works, but all passenger windows get stuck refusing to roll up or down, or do so very slowly. I have had people try to come up to my window where I could not properly shut it, I have had to leave my window partially open over night, and in the rain.

NHTSA ID

11691124

Incident

May 15, 2025

The rear door locks on my vehicle fail to lock and unlock properly, especially using the power lock switches or key fob. This is not an occasional issue — it happens every single day. This is a major safety concern because the back doors often cannot be opened at all, which puts my children at risk of being trapped inside during an emergency or accident. In addition, the rear windows frequently get stuck and will not roll down. This is also a daily occurrence. It makes the problem even more dangerous because the windows cannot be used as an emergency exit if the doors fail. These issues are consistent and ongoing. Because the vehicle is used to transport children, the defective door locks and windows create a significant safety hazard that could prevent occupants from exiting the car quickly in an accident, fire, or similar emergency.

NHTSA ID

11690032

Incident

Nov 7, 2024

Rear windows and passenger window are malfunctioning. They stay open and will not close. Takes many attempts, and push start car on and off attempts. Takes hours for them to work again. Currently not using rear windows. To be on the safe side.

NHTSA ID

11686975

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

The door lock actuators in my 2021 Nissan Sentra have malfunctioned, causing my doors to unexpectedly lock or unlock. Three of the four doors are affected, including the front driver's side door and both back doors. This is a serious safety concern that can potentially lock me inside the car. This can make it difficult to leave the vehicle during an emergency. It has also put my vehicle at risk for theft. No warning lights or messages have occurred indicating there is a problem. There are no recalls for my vehicle due to this problem. I took my car into the local Nissan dealership in Kansas City, and they gave me a price quote of $884.05 to fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11673443

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

Automatic emergency brake engaged while driving when there was not a car directly in front of me. There were no obstructions on the road and cars in the lanes next to me were not merging into my lane.

NHTSA ID

11641476

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his aunt entered the vehicle and attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted or made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,094.

NHTSA ID

11638343

Incident

Dec 24, 2024

Mileage

75,094 mi

While driving all lights come on dash and flash on and off and says system malfunction while doing 50mph. Suddenly car shuts off while driving with my toddler I then have to push my car off the highway without getting hit This has happen 5 times now

NHTSA ID

11590858

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Only the drivers window works. The passenger and 2 rear windows won't go up or down.

NHTSA ID

11590384

Incident

May 23, 2024

All power windows stop working except drivers window. None of the window buttons on any of the doors will work when it's cold outside. They start working again in warm weather. Seems like window lock is getting stuck. Sometimes pressing it repeatedly will cause the windows to start working but will stop working again.

NHTSA ID

11574984

Incident

Dec 20, 2023

While driving, car brakes by itself. There were no cars in front or behind. Red light flash on dashboard and then snatched brakes by itself. Another time, someone came close behind me and my car stopped by itself again nearly causing the driver to run into the back of me. Sensor light come on. Doesn't recognize my key. It's been reset but same problem.

NHTSA ID

11567102

Incident

Jan 21, 2024

When the sun is out and there is no clouds obscuring the sunlight my vehicle has night time lights running, dimming the interior of my car making it difficult to see the speed and other dashboard requirements while perfectly bright and sunny outside and 0800AM as well as 1500PM. This has been going on for two months and I took it in to two dealerships. One told me check your manual and the other went further and told me "by Nissan standards it is functioning normally." This doesn't make sense to me as the sun is out, it isn't dark or dim and yet when on automatic lighting my Night lights, not my normal running lights,,are on and causing me unable to see what's on my dash. Also whe. The sun is hitting the front of my car my Nissas blinks the collision indicator showing it won't do it as something is obstructing it but this happens when the sun is directly pointing in certain areas of the sky. More so early morning and late evening just as the sun is rising and falling.

NHTSA ID

11563312

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

The passenger window and back windows will not roll up or down. The only window that works is the drivers window. This car was bought 2 months ago and stopped working last week.

NHTSA ID

11558422

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

I was traveling at about 40mph when my vehicle, with no traffic in sight, had the automatic emergency brake go off and reduced my speed to 32mph. My safety concern is what if this happens on the freeway or even while raining. if there was a car behind me what if it caused them to get road rage. ***dashcam video available***

NHTSA ID

11555856

Incident

Nov 17, 2023

The only window that is working properly in my car is the driver window. The other 3 sometimes work and sometimes will not roll down at all. On occasion it goes down but does not come back up or doesn't go back up but half way then stops. I have taken to the dealership twice and still it has not been fixed. Cannot really use the windows at this point as I may not be able to get them back up so definitely cannot leave car unattended in any parking lot or down in certain weather situations.

NHTSA ID

11552577

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

Front passenger and all rear windows intermittent will not operate.

NHTSA ID

11551800

Incident

Jan 25, 2022

The AEB system will activate sporadically in traffic and open road (I.e interstate) this can cause a serious crash if the car locks it up running 70 mph and tries to emergency stop It has been to the dealer for this issue with no resolve No prior warning when this happens and has been continuously more frequent since 30k miles

NHTSA ID

11539938

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

1. My brakes locked up on my and the warning light came on saying I hit something 2.the only windows that works is the drivers identified 3.my warning lights came on and it started smelling inside the car I shut the car off and the warning light went off so I thought it was OK finished driving home and became sick opened the hood and my battery had smoke pouring out of each side my sinuses were burning, my throat was on fire i was sick the rest of the night i called poison control and they told me what to do

NHTSA ID

11531207

Incident

Jul 8, 2023

Car emergency stops with no reason. Dangerous. Will cause accident. Needs recalled.

NHTSA ID

11528795

Incident

Jun 23, 2023