The front left axle was replaced twice and the right axle replaced twice. Both have broken consistently. They were replaced by Nissan Dealer all times. My safety was put at risk by having to drive the vehicle with broken axles. There were no warning signs u til the axles started clicking and popping upon turning. The vehicle is available for inspection even though it is temporarily fixed.
Nissan Sentra steering noise problems
15 of the 5,835 owner complaints about the Nissan Sentra describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2020
- typical mileage
- 51,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20242
- 20221
- 20212
- 20205
- 20121
- 20091
- 20071
- 20011
- 19931
Often reported together
Ball joint 4Grinding brakes 2Jerking 1Adaptive cruise 1ABS 1
What owners say
Nissan had a recall 2 years ago for a tie rod issue. When I brought the car in for that recall Nissan said that the tie rods showed no sign of bending so they didn't replace them. Two years later my car is not steering correctly and making noises. I find out that Nissan has a new tie rod recall (recall R23B3, the federal safety agency #23V‑581) that requires the tie rods to be changed regardless if they show any sign of bending or damage. I bring my car in to have this completed (2 years from the first recall) and they are telling me the power steering rack has to be replaced as well as the tie rods. The issue is Nissan now knows that by not replacing the tie rods two years ago it's damaging the power sterring rack but they will not acknowledge it as they don't want to pay the additional cost for the power sterring rack. I spoke to Nissan USA consumer affairs and they are taking a hard line on this. It's dangerous as the car dealership service department was going to let me drive my car after the tie rod replacement knowing the power steering rack was also damaged until I pressed the actual technician that worked on the car and he said it's dangerous to drive. Nissan must be reponsible for replacing all the damage caused by not making it mandatory to replace the tie rods in the first recall two years ago. The cost to replace the power steering rack is $3000 and they don't want to pay for that.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V581000 (Steering) and 21V461000 (Steering). The contact stated that while in reverse(R) and turning the steering wheel, the contact observed a clicking sound coming from under the front of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light or messages displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the tie rods needed to be replaced. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,900.
Vehicle has front axle clicking sounds when turning right or left. It also makes clicking sounds when driving over bumps or entering driveways(uneven concrete surfaces). I brought it to a Nissan Dealership several times and they acknowledged the issue. However, they have not been able to resolve the issue.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. Additionally, there was a clicking sound while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 114,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
When turning the steering wheel, it make a squeaky noise
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the contact observed a popping noise emanating from the steering column while making left and right turns. The vehicle was taken to several dealers however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made clicking sounds while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a loosened tie rod. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Clicking / Popping noises when turning the steering wheel. Diagnosis bad insulator-engine mounting harness. RPM / idle issues and jerking while driving. Diagnosis reprogrammed engine control module. Problem still present and worse, than prior to reprogram. Cruise control slows vehicle on slight curve, no warning for drivers being no brake lights when it slows. New vehicle with so many problems and I do not feel safe. Unreliability and costly due to time missed at work, paying for a rental car and adding miles each trip to the dealership.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving in a parking lot and turning the steering wheel, there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the tie rod had fractured. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who stated that the failure was due to off-road driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company adjuster stated there was no damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V461000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
- Risk
- A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 27, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V‑461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V‑461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 23V581000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
- Risk
- A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right tie rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.
Recall number 21V461000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Sentra steering noise
Which Nissan Sentra years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (5 complaints), 2021 (2 complaints) and 2024 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Nissan Sentra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history