ABS/VDC CAN DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Nissan Sentra brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Nissan Sentra have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Sentra | 10 |
| 2012 Sentra | 3 |
| 2013 Sentra | 66 |
| 2014 Sentra | 27 |
| 2015 Sentra (this page) | 11 |
| 2016 Sentra | 10 |
| 2017 Sentra | 9 |
| 2018 Sentra | 14 |
| 2019 Sentra | 14 |
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Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES and CLAIMS INFORMATION sections have been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADDITIONAL SERVICE WHEN REPLACING CONTROL VALVE OR TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY SERVICE INFORMATION After a CVT assembly or control valve replacement, additional service must be completed with CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus). - The original calibration data must first be erased from the TCM and then newcalibration data written. - If the calibration data is not erased, the vehicle can experience drivability concernswhich may result in a CVT issue. Additional Service when Replacing Control Valve or Transaxle Assembly - The following procedures, starting on the next page, must be performed in thisorder. - Check off procedure as they are performed in the order listed below.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has compiled Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) information for: - Basic diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS systems - Radio frequency interference causing a "No Data" (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) condition - Sensor leaks - Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies from one vehicle to another and TPMS/LTPWS sensor registration - Air pressure changes with altitude and ambient temperatures - Aftermarket tire sealers - Aftermarket wheels - Inflating/deflating tires with TPMS/LTPWS sensors See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor transmitters (TPMS sensors) can be damaged when improperly dismounting and mounting tires. - TPMS sensors becoming damaged during mounting or dismounting tires are not covered under warranty. - To avoid such damage, ensure that the tire changer being used and the operator of the tire changer is capable of servicing run flat and low profile tires. - Operator?s manuals for such tire changers must be followed. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe catastrophic brake failures that leave them unable to stop their 2015 Sentra. The most dangerous complaint: brake pedal sinks to the floor with zero stopping power, forcing reliance on the emergency brake or resulting in crashes into other vehicles. One owner struck a parked car at low speed after the pedal went to the floor; another hit a wall in his driveway when the brakes failed during a simple shift into Drive. At 24,000 miles, an owner reported the anti-lock system failed with a brake fluid leak.
Brake noise—grinding and metal-on-metal sounds—appears frequently, even after dealers replace pads and rotors. One mechanic found pads still at 60% wear yet the shaking and noise persisted. Intermittent braking loss also shows up: pedals fail to respond without warning, forcing drivers to pump the brake or grab the emergency brake mid-traffic.
A few owners report brake vacuum assist engaging on its own, and one complains of delayed brake application that lengthens stopping distance. Repairs by dealers—master cylinder, booster, brake pads, and rear brakes—often don't stick; failures recur shortly after the work. One dealer couldn't even determine the cause of braking failure. Mileages range from 900 to 113,000 miles, suggesting the problem isn't just wear.
Same Nissan Sentra brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of braking power / pedal goes to floor
Brake pedal sinks to the floorboard or offers no resistance when depressed, resulting in complete loss of stopping ability. Owners report the vehicle fails to stop even with full pedal pressure, forcing reliance on emergency brake or resulting in collisions.
When: 900 miles, 3,500 miles, 24,000 miles, 35 mph; intermittent and recurring across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extends fully to floorboard with no stopping power; Vehicle fails to stop when brake pedal depressed to the floor; Complete loss of braking response
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement performed (recurrence); booster replacement performed (recurrence noted); rear brake pads replaced (failure recurred); no permanent fix achieved in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; dealer diagnosed master cylinder and booster issues but replacements did not resolve recurring failures
Brake pedal unresponsiveness / no response without warning
Brake pedal fails to respond when depressed, leaving the driver without braking capability. Occurs intermittently and without warning, forcing owners to use emergency brake or accept collisions.
When: 3,500 miles; intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal fails to respond without warning; Intermittent loss of braking response; Emergency brake required to stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to dealer where failure was diagnosed but cause not determined; no repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; dealer unable to determine cause of failure
Brake noise and poor braking performance at high speed
Abnormal grinding or metal-on-metal sounds from brakes accompanied by reduced stopping ability, especially at higher speeds. Vehicle shakes during hard braking from highway speeds and does not stop as expected.
When: 113,000 miles, 1,600 miles, 36,000 miles; high-speed braking situations
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal grinding noise when depressing brake pedal; Abnormal grinding sound from rear wheels; Vehicle shakes and does not stop when braking from high speeds; Recurring metal-on-metal noise
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads replaced (noise recurred); rear brakes replaced on multiple occasions (failure recurred); pads at 60% wear and rotors in good condition per mechanic inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs cited; dealership unable to find diagnostic codes
Brake pedal stiffness / hard pedal feel
Brake pedal becomes hard to depress or exhibits excessive resistance when braked, extending braking time and increasing crash risk.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Delay in brake application when going to brake; Lengthened brake time
Anti-lock brake system failure with brake fluid leak
Anti-lock brake system malfunction combined with loss of brake fluid, resulting in complete braking failure. Owners must use emergency brake to stop vehicle.
When: 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to stop when brake pedal depressed to floor; Anti-lock brake system failure; Brake fluid leak present
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at Advance Auto as anti-lock system failure and brake fluid leak; no repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer not notified
Brake vacuum assist engages independently
Braking vacuum assist system activates on its own without driver input, affecting brake modulation and control.
When: 50 mph; mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Braking vacuum assist engaged independently without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to unknown location but not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; no repair attempted
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 31,443 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2015/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.