Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe Owners of the 2019 Nissan Sentra have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 59,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Sentra | 7 |
| 2017 Sentra | 12 |
| 2018 Sentra | 11 |
| 2019 Sentra (this page) | 19 |
| 2020 Sentra | 4 |
Of the 6 model years of Nissan Sentra we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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.
HEADLAMP, FOG LAMP, OR REAR COMBINATION LAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016-2019 SENTRA; ENGINE NO CRANK/NO START IF YOU CONFIRM The engine will not crank when pressing the push-button ignition switch and applying the brake pedal. ï· ACCESSORY and IGNITION ON modes can be turned on and off with the no start condition present. ï· The stop lamps will be inoperative with the no-start condition present. ACTION Install a new brake lamp switch and install a rubber grommet with the parts listed in PARTS INFORMATION on the last page of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FOG LAMP AND/OR HEADLAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended to add Fog Lamps and modify one step in the flow chart on page 3. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners describe a critical stop lamp switch defect covered under NHTSA Campaign 21V135000. The switch fails to activate brake lights when the brake pedal is pressed, leaving following drivers unable to see the vehicle braking. Multiple owners report being rear-ended or nearly hit because their brake lights didn't work. The defect also causes intermittent starting failures and battery drain that requires jump-starts or six to seven restart attempts.
A wiring harness thermal breakdown was documented at 26,000 miles, with burnt wires and complete battery drain. One owner experienced inadvertent ABS activation at 25 mph when the system applied brakes without input, stopping the vehicle abruptly on the road.
Most owners reported the recall parts were unavailable for extended periods, with some told to wait until Fall 2021 or later and to drive the vehicle "at their own discretion" despite knowing the brake lights might fail. Several owners experienced the brake light failure reoccur even after the recall repair was performed. One owner had a collision when the vehicle failed to brake entirely at low speed and rear-ended another car.
One owner received a new vehicle with faded headlights at four to five months; a mechanic determined the lenses had been polished before sale, causing premature degradation. The dealership denied warranty assistance, claiming the damage was natural wear.
Same Nissan Sentra lighting reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018
The stop lamp switch fails to engage brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed. This creates a serious safety hazard because other drivers cannot see the vehicle braking.
When: Varying mileages: 3,200 to 149,475 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights fail to illuminate when brake pedal is depressed; No warning lights appear on dashboard; Failure occurs intermittently in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnose failed stop lamp switch requiring replacement. Repair involves physically replacing the switch. Some owners report the failure reoccurred even after recall repair performed in October 2023.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) addresses this issue. Recall repair involves stop lamp switch replacement. Owners report parts were unavailable for extended periods. One owner was informed the recall repair was a one-time free repair with no additional assistance for recurring failures.
The vehicle fails to start intermittently or requires multiple attempts to start. The stop lamp switch malfunction drains the battery, preventing normal vehicle startup.
When: Varying mileages: under 4,000 to 94,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; requires jump-start or multiple restart attempts (6-7 attempts reported); Battery becomes drained; No warning lights illuminated; Push-to-start button feature fails to function; Brake pedal seizes when attempting to start
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in narratives. Dealers were unable to address the issue due to unavailable recall parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000 covers this failure. Owners were advised to drive at their own discretion until parts became available (target: Fall 2021). Parts remained unavailable across multiple dealerships during the recall period.
The wiring harness supplying power to the stop lamp switch experiences thermal breakdown with burnt wires. This is a manufacturing defect that can damage the electrical system.
When: Approximately 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Taillights fail to illuminate; Instrument panel warning lights activate abnormally; Headlights activate when vehicle is shut off; Battery drains completely
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed wiring harness with thermal breakdown and confirmed several burnt wires. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000 issued after this failure was reported. Parts were not available.
The vehicle loses braking ability while in operation, creating immediate collision risk. In one case, the vehicle failed to stop and rear-ended another vehicle.
When: Approximately 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to stop when brake pedal is depressed; No warning lights illuminated before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was towed to salvage yard. Damage assessment ongoing through insurance company at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000 related. Manufacturer had not been notified at time of complaint.
The automatic braking system engages without driver input while the vehicle is moving at normal speed, causing sudden deceleration.
When: Approximately 69,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic braking system applies inadvertently while driving at 25 MPH; Vehicle stops abruptly without driver command; ABS malfunction indicator light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced stop lamp switch with temporary switch as interim measure. Vehicle was not fully repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 21V135000. Recall parts were initially unavailable. Dealer contacted owner to inform final remedy was available.
Brake warning light illuminates while driving at various speeds without an actual brake system failure or clear diagnostic cause.
When: Approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminates during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced a sensor at residence; failure persisted. No further diagnosis completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner related failure to NHTSA Campaign 21V135000 but confirmed VIN was not included in the recall.
Headlights lose brightness and clarity shortly after purchase. One owner's mechanic determined the headlight lenses had been polished and detailed before sale, and the polish wore away after 4-5 months, exposing the underlying condition.
When: 4 to 5 months after purchase (new vehicle, zero miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights fade and lose clarity; Reduced visibility at night; Owner reports blurry headlights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership declined to help, claiming damage was natural wear and wanted to charge owner to restore headlights. Independent mechanic determined lenses had been polished before sale.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty assistance offered. Dealership claimed damage was natural cause.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 26,000 and 69,300 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 69,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.