DecodedCars2021 Nissan Sentra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- 182.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,053 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 20% better than the average 2021 midsize car (27.4 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints132 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 31 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,053 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (29 city / 39 highway), 20% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Sentra — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Sentra →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2021 Sentra configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 182.7 in | 71.7 in | 57.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 63 in | 3,053 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 33 | +20% | $2,050 | 268 |
| Sentra SR | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | +17% | $2,100 | 283 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 3★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.9% |
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Sentra (this car) | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2021 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 8, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V628000 · 153,376 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Aug 15, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V581000 · 236,238 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
- Risk
- A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 27, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Jun 17, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V461000 · 138,736 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
- Risk
- A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right tie rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.
Not every 2021 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Nissan Sentra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 38 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 37 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 29 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 23,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Sentra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sentra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2025 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 31 |
| 2024 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 41 |
| 2023 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2022 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 81 |
| 2020 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 207 |
| 2019 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 223 |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 185 |
| 2017 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 231 |
| 2016 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 270 |
| 2015 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 352 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →