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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Nissan Sentra brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Nissan Sentra have filed 14 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
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Sentra | 11 |
| 2016 Sentra | 10 |
| 2017 Sentra | 9 |
| 2018 Sentra | 14 |
| 2019 Sentra (this page) | 14 |
| 2020 Sentra | 14 |
| 2021 Sentra | 9 |
| 2022 Sentra | 3 |
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The primary brake complaint across this cluster centers on the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system misfiring repeatedly. Owners describe the system slamming on the brakes over road bumps, raised manhole covers, and clear highway stretches with no traffic—speeds range from 15 to 70 mph. The radar sensor appears to misread benign road features as collision threats, producing loud chimes, flashing warnings, and full anti-skid brake engagement that can cause whiplash. Multiple owners note they cannot permanently disable the system; it resets with each ignition cycle. Some have attempted physical disconnection.
Secondary failures involve the brake pedal itself. Several owners report needing excessive force to depress the pedal, brake lights failing to illuminate despite pedal pressure, or the pedal sinking fully to the floor with minimal braking effect. One owner's brakes felt unresponsive after dealership service, with the shop suspecting ABS failure. Another reports a seized front brake caliper. The front radar sensor also fails outright, triggering continuous "unavailable" warnings that disable AEB entirely. No permanent fix is offered by the manufacturer, and NHTSA campaigns referenced are for unrelated components like exterior lighting.
Same Nissan Sentra brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) / Forward Collision Warning false activation
AEB system engages and applies full braking without an actual collision threat. Owners report the system activates over road bumps, manhole covers, and in clear traffic conditions, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop or causing hard braking events. The radar sensor appears to misidentify stationary or non-threatening objects as vehicles.
When: Various speeds ranging 15-70 mph; occurs at different road conditions (bumps, uneven road surfaces, clear highways)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle brakes suddenly for no collision threat; Forward collision warning chimes continuously; Full anti-skid brake engagement; Audible beeping and dashboard advisory flashes; Whiplash from unexpected hard braking
Codes mentioned: Front Radar unavailable, EBS malfunction, Unavailable Front Radar warning light
Repairs/costs cited: System cannot be permanently disabled; resets with each vehicle restart. Some owners attempted to physically disconnect the radar sensor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000 referenced (Exterior Lighting), though VIN conditions vary; no recalls issued for AEB malfunction
Brake pedal hard/stiff or excessive pressure required
Brake pedal requires excessive force to depress for normal braking operation or vehicle start. Some owners report the pedal feeling unresponsive or requiring multiple presses and wiggles to engage brake lights and allow engine start.
When: At vehicle start and during normal braking; reported at 5 and 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive pressure needed to depress brake pedal; Brake pedal stiffness; Brake lights fail to illuminate when pedal depressed; Multiple presses and wiggles needed for brake lights to engage; Longer-than-normal engine start sequence
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics unable to diagnose; dealer notification made but no repair completed in some cases
Brake pedal sinks to floor / loss of pedal travel
Brake pedal depresses fully to the floor in both reverse and forward driving without providing adequate braking force. Occurs when owners attempt emergency or normal stops.
When: While reversing and in forward driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels full distance to floor; Inadequate braking force or no braking response; Loss of pedal resistance
Front brake caliper seizure
Front brake calipers seized and became non-functional, disabling braking on the front axle.
Symptoms owners cite: Front brakes not functioning; Seized calipers
Front radar sensor malfunction or obstruction
Front radar sensor for AEB system fails or becomes obstructed, disabling the emergency braking feature. Owners report continuous 'unavailable front radar' warning lights and malfunction alerts.
When: Reported as early as third month of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Front radar unavailable warning light continuously on; AEB unavailable message; Malfunction EBS alert and constant beeping
Codes mentioned: Front Radar unavailable, Front Radar obstruction, Malfunction EBS
ABS system failure
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) fails after brake service. Owner reports brakes lack normal responsiveness and don't 'push back' when engaged, despite brake pad and rotor replacement. Shop diagnosed as ABS failure.
When: After CVT service and brake work at dealership (May-June 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes don't push back when engaged; Lack of normal brake responsiveness; No warning lights illuminated initially
Repairs/costs cited: Tires, brake pads, and rotors replaced; issue persisted. Suspected ABS failure by service facility
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My insurance never covered the amount I was ensuring my car before because the recalls
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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 14 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 31,018 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/2019/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.