I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2021. Since then, I have experienced a very concerning safety issue on multiple occasions involving the automatic emergency braking system. While driving normally, with the vehicle operating without any apparent problems, the emergency braking system has suddenly activated and warning lights have appeared on the dashboard, even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, object, or other obstruction in front of me that would have required emergency braking. This has happened to me several times and is extremely frightening. During the most recent incident, the vehicle behind me had to quickly go around my car to avoid rear-ending me after my vehicle unexpectedly braked. After researching this issue, I found numerous reports from other owners describing what appears to be the same or a very similar problem. This makes me extremely concerned that this may be a widespread safety issue with this vehicle. Fortunately, when these incidents occurred, I was traveling at approximately 40 MPH. I am very concerned about what could happen if the emergency braking system were to activate unexpectedly while traveling on the freeway at 65 MPH or higher. Unexpected braking at highway speeds could potentially result in a serious rear-end collision, injuries, or fatalities. Given the number of similar complaints from other owners, I believe this issue warrants a thorough investigation. I strongly urge Nissan and the federal safety agency to investigate these reports and determine whether a safety recall is necessary before someone is seriously injured or killed. This is not simply an inconvenience or a minor mechanical problem. Unexpected emergency braking without an obstacle in the vehicle’s path presents a serious safety concern for the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists.
2021 Nissan Sentra brakes problems
25 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 17,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 17,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Sentra brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Nissan Sentra brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2021 Nissan Sentra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the parking braking independently activated. The failure occurred a second time, and the parking brake unintendedly activated. There was no warning light illuminated. On the third occasion, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the parking brake activated unintendedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, nearly causing a crash with another vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,414.
AEB system is initiating emergency braking at random times. Both on surface street, and the freeway on ramp. With and without weather, and without any obstacles or cars in the way. The vehicle comes it a complete stop when this happens and puts the driver in significant danger. At this point the dealer observed warning code on the dashboard, but it did not engage. Message relating to that the AEB may deploy. When it does happen Emergency Brake is on the dashboard. After it happens vehicle can resume driving. Various indicines happened last year. We took it to Ken Garff Nissan (11155 So. Jordan Gateway in South Jordan, Ut. 84095. They could not find the problem or get the problem reproduced. They recommended turning off the safety features when driving. We have done that for a year. Then on 1-15-26, the safety system was on and the break engaged and brought the car to a stop on the freeway on ramp. The car is now at Ken Garff Nissan (777 So. West Temple SLC, Utah) It has been there for 2 weeks. This is the dealer that saw the code, but the system did not engage.
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.
The competent that continues to fail is the emergency response breaks. They continue to stop at random times creating a very unsafe environment while I drive daily. I do have this on video and my car is available for inspection at any time. I just recently finally got the emergency break system on video since it is so random and plan on making an appointment with my local Nissan Dealer. I did have a visit recently regarding the recall for the tire rods. My car continues to make odd sounds and I paid over $1000 to get it fixed with all new tires. These problems have began since the day I got my car. I have bought over 10 wheels due to issues with the tire rods. The video we finally were able to get was last night regarding the emergency stop systems, it does not let me add to the complaint but I can send to any email if needed as well as the local Nissan dealer did inspect and work on the car for my tires and tire rods.
Break Switch Malfunctions that leaves the car unable to start.
My ABS light randomly come on along side of traction control, front and rear collision assistance lights. Car has had electrical problems since I got it such as sometimes bright headlights won’t come on( they just stay on the dim regardless of what you do) the radio will just freeze and not work at all. Have to unhook the battery to get radio to even reset or even wait days for it to do it itself. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR. nothing but electrical problems since I’ve gotten it. And it only have 50,000 miles and all regular maintenance has been done
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the emergency brake warning light had illuminated. In addition, the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not come to a complete stop and rolled forward. The contact stated that they had crashed into a vehicle in front of them. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front vehicle sensory and the bumper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal failure reoccured on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The automated break system came on while I was driving 2 times within 3 days without anything being in front, the back or on the side of the car. When this happened there was a few beeping noise and a quick red flash on the dashboard that said maintenance.This started happening the next day after getting an oil change from the Nissan dealership. My safety was at risked because when the car suddenly and unexpectedly stopped it jerked my body forward causing my neck to become sore. This can cause greater injury or worst if I was going any faster. If someone was behind me it could cause them to crash into me which would be doing the opposite of the purpose of the safety feature. I took the car in to the dealership and nothing could be done because there wasn't a code and it didn't happen in the presence of the mechanic. It could be a sensor issue but I don't know and the mechanics seem to be just as clueless and very dismissive. I find this to be unacceptable that I must drive around with a car that can break abruptly at any given time. I do not feel safe driving this car and it should be a safety recall on this issue. I looked online and seen other people complaining about the same issue so I'm sure Nissan knows what's going on and aren't doing anything about it.
The crash imminent braking system would activate during driving when there isn't a risk. It happens at odd times when there is no cars in front of the vehicle. Also Nissan is stating there's no parts available to fix recall:R23B3
Questions about the 2021 Nissan Sentra brakes
Does the 2021 Nissan Sentra have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Nissan Sentra, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Nissan Sentra brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 17,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Nissan Sentra brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Sentra have bad brakes?
The Nissan Sentra model years with the most brakes complaints are 2013 (97 complaints), 2018 (40 complaints) and 2019 (38 complaints).
Other 2021 Nissan Sentra problems
Driver assistance 44Steering 40Electrical 38Engine 7Acceleration 6Lights 6Suspension 6Wheels 5Transmission 4Body 3Visibility 2Locks 1Seat belts 1Tires 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2021 Nissan Sentra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history