The radio will randomly come on for a second when the car is off. I have went out to get something out of the trunk & this has happened & I have also went out to leave & when I walk outside the radio in the car is playing when the car has not been driven since the prior day. I am concerned about this issue draining the car battery. This is random & has happened more than a dozen times.
2019 Nissan Sentra electrical problems
moderate 55 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 55 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 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
Of the 20 model years of Nissan Sentra we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 55.
Owners have filed 55 electrical 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2019 Sentra has widespread electrical issues: random AEB engagement, brake-switch start failures tied to an unresolved recall, parasitic battery drain, and a persistent radio that turns on when parked and drains the battery. Expect repeated dealer visits and potential stranding.
The 2019 Sentra's electrical system exhibits chronic, unresolved problems across multiple subsystems. Most alarming: the automatic emergency braking system engages abruptly with no obstacle present, throwing drivers forward and disabling in traffic—one owner was fortunate no vehicle followed. The front radar sensor throws false "obstruction" warnings and disables cruise control within miles of driving, and dealerships claim the fix didn't work.
Brake-switch failure prevents push-button starts despite fully charged batteries, stranding owners and matching NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Campaign PM971) closely enough that affected owners request it be applied to their vehicles—yet some VINs remain unflagged. The factory radio randomly activates when parked with the engine off, draining batteries to the point owners replace them every few months. Dashboard displays freeze intermittently, instrument clusters go black while driving, and climate screens blank out. Keyless-entry fobs are oversensitive; door locks fail. Rear cameras stop working. Most service attempts accomplish nothing: dealerships report inability to reproduce failures, missing parts, or false claims of completion. Owners describe repeated visits, software updates that don't stick, and battery replacements that don't end the drain. One owner noted 26 prior NHTSA complaints about radio failure alone with no recall. Nissan extended electrical warranties reportedly aren't honored.
Same Nissan Sentra electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system unwanted activation
AEB engages abruptly without warning or obstacle present, applying full braking force and creating safety hazard. Owners report being thrown forward, emergency stops in traffic, and disabling of features like cruise control. Some complaint of related sensor light remaining illuminated.
When: Occurs unexpectedly during normal driving; some report persistent issues from purchase onwards
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden hard braking with no vehicles or obstacles in front; Front crash warning light or 'Front Radar Unavailable Due to Obstruction' message appears; AEB system disables intermittently; Warning beeps before braking; Cruise control disabled
Codes mentioned: Front crash warning light, Front radar sensor obstruction message
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement reportedly costs ~$750 per sensor; one owner notes parts unavailable at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners report dealer diagnostic fees ($150) but no effective repair; one case linked to potential radar sensor defect
Brake lamp switch failure preventing vehicle start
Brake switch defect prevents push-button ignition from responding when brake pedal is pressed. Matches NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Campaign PM971) for 2016–2019 Sentra models. Owners stranded when unable to start vehicle despite charged battery and functioning key fob.
When: Intermittent; some owners report from day of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not register when pressed; Engine will not start despite fully charged battery; Key fob functions but push-button start fails; May also disable brake lights
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Recall 21V135 (Campaign PM971)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake switch replacement required; one owner reports unrelated brake booster replaced multiple times without resolving issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall PM971 exists but some owners report VINs not flagged as requiring repair; dealership claimed no open recalls despite symptoms matching recall description
Radio turning on when vehicle is off
Factory radio activates unprompted when car is parked and powered off, sometimes playing music for extended periods. Creates parasitic battery drain. Happens randomly and repeatedly. One owner documented 26+ NHTSA complaints for radio failures on this model with no recall issued.
When: Occurs during parking; may happen multiple times per day or week
Symptoms owners cite: Radio plays with engine off and car parked; Happens at random intervals; Does not correlate with temperature, time, or driving patterns; Battery drain from repeated activation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reported unable to identify cause; radio may require complete replacement (one quote $400)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite multiple complaints; Nissan extended warranty offered in one case but reportedly not honored
Parasitic battery drain when vehicle parked
Battery becomes depleted while vehicle is parked for hours or days with all electrical systems turned off. Owners repeatedly jump-start or replace battery. Issue recurs even after battery replacement. Some specifically tied to keyless entry fob lock activating drain; issue does not occur when door locked manually.
When: Occurs during parking, particularly when fob-locked; drain completes in 4+ hours
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dead after parking 4-8 hours; Recurs after battery replacement; Car will not start after fob lock; Charging battery during driving restores function temporarily
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator tested good; parasitic draw test showed nothing at time of test, suggesting intermittent draw
Instrument cluster display freezing/glitching
Dashboard clock, climate control screen, or instrument display freezes or goes blank during driving. Affects readouts for temperature, speed, radio, AC controls, and steering wheel controls (cruise control, horn). System reboots only after vehicle is powered off and restarted. One owner reports this persisting for 2 years despite multiple dealer visits.
When: Occurs intermittently during driving or at rest; unrelated to temperature, speed, or time of day
Symptoms owners cite: Clock freezes while other displays function normally; AC/climate display blank or non-functional; Steering wheel controls (cruise, horn) stop responding; Radio display freezes; Screen returns to normal only after ignition off/restart
Repairs/costs cited: One owner requested AV control or display unit replacement but not performed; Nissan extended warranty issued but reportedly not honored
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended electrical warranty offered in one case; however, warranty reportedly not honored by company
Rear camera and sensor malfunction
Rear backup camera no longer displays reverse image; rear proximity sensors non-functional. Creates safety hazard during parking and reversing. Dealership investigation stated fault was not related to brake lamp switch recall and has no known cause or fix.
When: Occurred after approximately one year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rear camera image does not appear in reverse; Rear sensors do not detect objects; No warning lights or prior symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to determine cause; no repair provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated could investigate both stop lamp switch and camera in same visit, but after review found no causal link
Vehicle stalling during driving
Engine cuts out while operating at various speeds or during turns. May restart immediately or require extended time. Accompanied by illumination of multiple warning lights and abnormal clicking noises. Multiple dealer visits, battery replacement, and software updates do not permanently resolve issue.
When: Occurs intermittently; recurs even after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at red lights, during turns, or at highway speeds; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated; Abnormal clicking noise from engine; Lights flicker intermittently; Brake malfunction warning light illuminates
Codes mentioned: P0101, P0315
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced; software update attempted; sensor repair performed (one owner paid for crankshaft sensor cleaning/replacement)
No low-fuel warning light / fuel gauge inaccuracy
Fuel level indicator does not alert driver when fuel is critically low. Vehicle runs out of fuel during driving, causing engine shutdown in traffic or on roadways. Owners stranded in dangerous positions, requiring police or towing assistance. Mechanic attributed issue to faulty gas gauge.
When: Occurs during normal driving when fuel depletes
Symptoms owners cite: Low fuel warning light does not activate; Car stops without warning when out of fuel; Battery light comes on when car stalls; Dashboard shows incorrect mileage 'until empty' (e.g., 32 or 50 miles when critically low)
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic suspects faulty gas gauge but no repair documented in complaints
Brake light malfunction and start failure
Brake lights fail to function, creating safety hazard for following vehicles. Failure also prevents vehicle from starting. Clicking noise audible from engine when ignition off. Lights flicker intermittently (headlights, brake lights, warning lights).
When: At various mileages; one reported at 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights continuously flicker or fail; Headlights flicker; Engine makes clicking noise after ignition off; Vehicle fails to start after brake light malfunction; Brake malfunction warning illuminates
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting)
Repairs/costs cited: Parts unavailable; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 21V135000 exists but parts unavailable at dealership
Dashboard and electrical system blackout during driving
Dashboard, screen, and warning lights go completely dark while vehicle is in motion, accompanied by loss of acceleration response. Vehicle slows unexpectedly despite accelerator input. System resets after 2–3 minutes of driving, restoring all functionality and normal acceleration.
When: Occurs while driving on highway at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard displays go black; All warning lights extinguish; Radio display blanks; Vehicle slows and does not accelerate despite pedal pressure; Speed drops from 60 to 40 mph involuntarily; System resets after 2–3 minutes; all lights and displays return
Keyless entry fob / door lock malfunction
Keyless entry fob is overly sensitive, causing unintended door unlocking and window operation when in proximity. Door automatic locking does not function; doors must be manually locked, creating safety hazard during driving. In one case, doors unlocked and window opened while owner slept in parked car; in another, trunk opened when fob was in pocket.
When: Occurs intermittently when in proximity to vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Doors unlock without owner input; Windows operate without intentional activation; Trunk opens without activation; Automatic door locking fails
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Seatbelt indicator light malfunction
Seatbelt warning light remains illuminated even when seatbelt is properly worn and fastened. Light extinguishes only when passenger is present. Owner concerned this indicates system failure that could affect airbag deployment in accident.
When: Persistent condition
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt indicator light stays on despite belt fastened; No warning chime accompanies light; Light goes off when passenger occupies seat; Concern that airbag system may also be non-functional
TPMS (tire pressure) sensor light malfunction
Tire pressure monitoring system warning light remains on despite all tires inflated to manufacturer specifications. Light persists through continued driving and correlates with activation of malfunction and emergency braking system warning lights.
When: Persistent condition during driving
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS light on despite correct tire pressure; Malfunction light illuminates while driving; Emergency braking system warning activates concurrently
Abnormal engine revving at start
Vehicle revs excessively when starting, as if accelerator is depressed, without driver input. Radio and automatic headlight timer also malfunction concurrently.
When: Occurs at vehicle start
Symptoms owners cite: RPM spike on startup without throttle input; Radio cuts off and restarts; Automatic lights take 15+ seconds to shut off intermittently after parking
Climate control display malfunction
AC/heat display screen randomly shuts off. Physical controls still function, but display is blank. Temperature output does not match dial setting—vehicle blows cold when set to heat or vice versa, creating inconsistent interior climate control.
When: Occurs intermittently during vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Display screen for climate control shuts off; Controls functional but display blank; Temperature output opposite to setting; Display resets only after vehicle power cycle
Key system error / 'Key System Error' message on display
Dashboard displays 'Key System Error' warning during driving. Electrical door locks become non-functional (doors do not lock automatically), though mechanical components intact. Issue persists alongside other electrical malfunctions.
When: Occurs during driving
Symptoms owners cite: 'Key System Error' message on dashboard; Electrical door locks non-functional; Manual door locks still work mechanically
Battery terminal corrosion and electrical flickering
Battery positive terminal becomes corroded, causing lights inside and outside vehicle to flicker on and off repeatedly.
When: Occurs intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Battery positive terminal corrodes; Interior lights flicker; Exterior lights flicker
Front radar sensor obstruction warning / malfunction
Front radar sensor repeatedly displays 'Radar Sensor Obstructed' or 'Front Radar Unavailable' warning after driving only 4 miles. Warning disables cruise control and AEB system. Issue persists despite multiple dealership visits and claimed repairs. Dealership claims repair was completed but problem recurs.
When: Occurs consistently after approximately 4 miles of driving
Symptoms owners cite: 'Front Radar Unavailable' or 'Radar Obstructed' message displays; Crash icon appears on dashboard; Cruise control disabled; AEB system disabled; Beeping warning sounds; Sensor light on regardless of obstructions present
Codes mentioned: Front radar sensor obstruction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims repair performed but issue recurs; parts reported unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership alleged to have 'fixed' issue but did not resolve; parts unavailable; one owner reported dealership falsely claimed parts unavailable elsewhere but were waiting
SRS airbag light stuck on
SRS airbag warning light remains illuminated continuously and cannot be reset. Occurs alongside radio malfunction (turning on/off when car is off).
When: Persistent condition from inception
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag warning light on continuously; Light does not respond to any reset attempts
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
My battery positive terminal keeps getting corroded and the lights turn on and off from inside and outside like if their turning on and off
I purchase 2019 Nissan sentra on 11/6/2019 with 15 miles at Nissan of muskogee. Since purchase the automatic emergency braking (aeb) system deactivates and shows a warning on the dashboard 'front radar unavailable due to obstruction.' a crash icon also on dashboard at all times. No cruise control. The car is out of balance. The sensor comes on at all time wether or not there are other vehicle…
2019 NISSAN SENTRA Automatic Emergency Braking system suddenly brakes w/o warning while cars are present or not, sensor light comes on and car will stall or abruptly/automatically stop itself. Malfunction light comes on states malfunction look in owners manual. While driving car automatically stopped at a light or in traffic and would not move forward the malfunction light came on. This has been…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2019 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 55 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 12,000 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 34,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 46,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.