My brakes go to the floor randomly, seems to be from park to reverse so far. Have to pump them back up. The sentra has been at the dealership on 3 different occasions. As reported to this agency back in august 2014, I contacted Nissan corp. Who did nothing. The second visit to the dealership (october 2014) they replaced the rear master cylinders which seemed to work up until now , took…
2014 Nissan Sentra brakes problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
6crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 27 brakes complaints filed for the 2014 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Nissan Sentra in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Sentra has a pattern of brake system failures that dealers often cannot replicate or fix permanently, including pedal loss and inadequate stopping power. Multiple owners report near-miss or actual collisions after brake failure, making this a serious safety concern worth investigating pre-purchase with a brake specialist.
Owners describe a range of brake failures on the 2014 Sentra that span the entire system. The most serious: brake pedal goes to the floorboard with no stopping power. This happens randomly—sometimes in reverse, sometimes at traffic lights—and owners report it at speeds from 2 to 45 mph. At least five owners have been in collisions as a result: one hit another truck at 37 mph, another crashed into a cement wall, a third was rear-ended and pushed into oncoming traffic, and another hit a utility pole backing down a driveway. Dealers visit consistently fail to replicate the fault.
Other owners report the opposite problem: brakes that lock up solid after 20-30 minutes of driving, then release themselves hours later after parking. Some describe weak braking force that requires the pedal nearly to the floor to stop. One owner's rear drum brake assembly disintegrated internally without cause; Nissan denied the warranty claim.
Front-end shaking during braking and pulsation in the pedal appear in several complaints. One owner had the front pads and rear wheel cylinders rebuilt by the dealer, but the pulsation returned three days later. Multiple independent mechanics have replaced master cylinders—some owners twice—without solving the pedal-to-floor issue. Nissan has refused buybacks and told at least one owner that an internal service notice exists but technicians only investigate if the customer complains.
Same Nissan Sentra brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal travels to floor with loss of braking
Brake pedal goes to the floorboard with little or no braking response. Occurs randomly, often when shifting into reverse or during light braking. Some owners report having to pump the pedal repeatedly to restore pressure.
When: Random; some incidents at low speeds (2-40 mph), others occurring while parked or in reverse. One reported at 46,000 miles; others between 2,900 and 60,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal travels to floor without braking response; Brakes do not engage when pedal depressed; Requires multiple pumps of brake pedal to restore pressure; Loss of stopping ability at traffic lights and in parking situations; Vacuum appears to bleed off after vehicle sits
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement attempted multiple times by independent mechanics and dealers with no permanent fix. Dealers bleed brakes but failure recurs. One owner replaced master cylinder twice with same problem continuing. Towing costs incurred when brake failure occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Corp refused buyback on at least one vehicle. Dealers initially unable to duplicate failure on multiple visits. One technician mentioned internal notice existed but only addressed if customer brought it in. Manufacturer declined assistance on multiple complaints.
Brake pulsation under foot during braking
Pulsating sensation in brake pedal during braking. Occurs intermittently, initially not happening every time but becoming more frequent over months of ownership.
When: Started October 2014 on vehicle purchased April 2014. More frequent especially with slow brake application.
Symptoms owners cite: Pulsation under foot when applying brakes; Jarring pulsing at end of braking; Intermittent initially, becomes more frequent; Occurs especially with slow brake application
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed front pads coming apart internally causing warped rotors; both rear wheel cylinders coming apart internally. Parts replaced but pulsation returned within 3 days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined to repurchase vehicle after initial repair failed. Technician noted internal notice existed for this model but only if customer reported it.
Front end shaking during braking
Vehicle front end shakes violently during braking, described as feeling like tires are falling off. Dealership initially claimed this is normal.
When: One week after purchase of new vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Front end shakes real bad during braking; Feels like tires are falling off; Vehicle shakes and hesitates back and forward when slowing to stop
Repairs/costs cited: First dealership (Tri Cities Nissan) said it was normal. Second dealership (Bristol office) determined it was not normal. One owner's vehicle eventually failed to brake entirely, resulting in collision at 37 mph.
Brake system failure at speed with collision
Complete brake system failure while driving at highway speeds, forcing owner to collide with other vehicles or obstacles. Pedal unresponsive despite multiple attempts to brake.
When: One incident at 5,000 miles; another at 2,900 miles; incidents at 37 mph, 40 mph, 45 mph speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake system fails to respond when pedal depressed; Brake pedal depressed to floor without effect; Vehicle unable to slow or stop; Loud grinding noise when attempting to brake; Multiple pump attempts required before any braking occurs
Repairs/costs cited: One owner hit rear of truck at 37 mph; one owner crashed into cement wall at 45 mph; one owner was rear-ended and pushed into oncoming traffic at 40 mph after swerving; one owner crashed into utility pole while backing down hill; one owner hit vehicle in front at light. Dealers unable to replicate failure on subsequent inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturers offered no assistance when contacted. Dealers unable to duplicate failure could not diagnose or repair.
Weak braking power and slow stopping response
Insufficient braking force to stop vehicle in normal driving. Requires significantly more pedal effort than expected or brake pedal depression near or to floor to achieve adequate stopping.
When: Early in ownership; one at 10,066 miles; one at 25 mph approach to stop sign; issues noted within first 4 months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Weak stopping power for light vehicle weight; Underwhelming braking power; Requires excessive pedal pressure to stop; Inconsistent braking response; Slow vehicle response to brake pedal; Brake pedal slow to come back up after pressing
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced brake pads, calipers, and rotors but problem persisted. Bleeds performed but low pressure recurs. Issues persist despite maintenance.
Brake drums/components disintegrating internally
Rear drum brake assembly came completely apart internally while vehicle was operating. Grinding noise heard at 5 mph with no brakes applied.
When: Less than 1 year old vehicle. Grinding sound occurred at 5 mph during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise at 5 mph with no brake application; Rear drum brakes completely came apart; Passenger side rear drum close to same failure; No known cause for internal disintegration
Repairs/costs cited: Independent shop found complete failure of driver side rear drum; passenger side close to same condition. Nissan dealer denied warranty coverage, claiming vehicle was driven with emergency brake on (though MPG unchanged).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealer claimed this is not a defect and stated no prior claims of this issue. Denied warranty coverage. Hypothesized emergency brake was left on.
ABS and brake warning lights with braking issues
Engine, traction control, and ABS warning lights illuminate coinciding with brake system failure. Vehicle slow to respond and stop when brakes applied.
When: At 46,000 miles while driving 35-65 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine warning light illuminated; Traction control warning light illuminated; ABS warning light illuminated; Slow brake response; Brake pedal depressed to floorboard; Vehicle slow to stop; Vehicle stalls while driving
Repairs/costs cited: First repair: oxygen sensor, rotors, brake pads replaced. Failure recurred. Second repair: brakes needed replacement. Failure persisted. Vehicle began stalling during operation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted and complaint filed.
All four brakes locking up after warm-up period
All four brakes lock up simultaneously after 20-30 minutes of normal driving in traffic. Brakes release and function normally after 2-4 hours of parking.
When: Seven occasions over one month. Occurred after 20-30 minutes of warm-up.
Symptoms owners cite: All four brakes lock up simultaneously; Occurs during normal traffic operation; Brakes self-correct after 2-4 hours of vehicle being parked; No warning before lockup
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer charged $150 diagnostic fee but was unable to determine cause.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Nissan sentra. While driving 40 MPH, he brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floor without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to west side Nissan (1729 cassat ave, jacksonville, fl 32210), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not…
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Nissan Sentra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2014 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 5,000 and 51,500 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 51,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Nissan/Sentra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.