FaultScore

2009 Nissan Sentra brake problems

10 of the 81 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Sentra are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 9,331 miles.

F

10

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 7 70.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 30.0%

Brakes across every Nissan Sentra year

1991 10 1.8%
1993 12 2.2%
1994 21 3.8%
1995 33 6.0%
1996 11 2.0%
1997 16 2.9%
2000 12 2.2%
2001 24 4.4%
2004 11 2.0%
2005 12 2.2%
2007 21 3.8%
2008 21 3.8%
2009 10 1.8%
2011 14 2.6%
2013 97 17.7%
2014 36 6.6%
2015 18 3.3%
2016 21 3.8%
2017 22 4.0%
2018 40 7.3%
2019 38 6.9%
2020 25 4.6%
2021 24 4.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Nanticoke, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

My brake line broke in three pieces while I was driving on the highway visiting my son I almost lost my life the brakes did not work all of the fluid came out thank God I didn’t die there was no sign on the dashboard also my brakes even when I change the pads the rotors and calipers they always make noise. I change brake pads every year and that’s not right I don’t think so. I always buy the best quality even when purchased fluids always buy CVT oil and I get it from the Nissan dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11517083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nanticoke, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving on the interstate to go and visit my granddaughter from PA to New York when all of a sudden I press on the break pedal and the brakes stopped working there was no warning sign on the dashboard I was alone in the car and afraid I started to slow down there was a lot of traffic trucks and I pulled over on the side slowly and use the emergency break and thank God I’m alive today to tell you my ordeal thank God I didn’t get hurt and no one got hurt and the best part I got to see my granddaughter 9 hours later. Basically I was informed that my brake line was broke in three pieces I cannot believe it just be careful always check your brake line thank you stay safe out there!!

NHTSA complaint #11492364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 4/15/17 WHEN MY BRAKES ON MY CAR STOP WORKING WE TRIED TO STOP BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T WE EVEN TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARKING GEAR BUT IT STILL KEEP ON GOING.

NHTSA complaint #10979854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Mason, OH Crash 2 injured 1 killed

SERVICE BRAKES

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO BRAKE VIBRATION AND INSTABILITY AND HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND MY SON DIED IN THE ACCIDENT DUE TO SEVERER INJURIES

NHTSA complaint #10668220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Dallas, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES MAKE LOUD SQUEALING AND GRINDING NOISE STARTING AS LITTLE AS 8 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES EVEN WHEN PADS AND ROTORS ARE FINE. THE STEERING COLUMN POPS AND JOLTS SLIGHTLY WHEN TURNING STARTING AT 27 THOUSAND MILES. THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TAKING MODERATE TO HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS AT ANY SPEED. ONE TIRE SENSOR HAS ALREADY GONE BAD AT 20 THOUSAND MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10597829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Corinth, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

ANY TIME YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES THEY HAVE A VERY LOUD SQUEAL WHEN BACKING UP. (BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT). HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES WHILE BACKING UP TO GET SQUEAL TO STOP. HAS DONE THIS SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 TO DATE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A NISSAN DEALER, LOOK AT THE BRAKES AT LEAST 10+ TIMES AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES. ALSO WHEN YOU STEP ON BRAKES WHILE DRIVING TO COME TO A STOP THERE IS A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. AGAIN NOTHING FOUND BY NISSAN DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10594917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles SAN Antonio, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #10558384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,200 miles Trumbull CT, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I PURCHASED AN 09 SENTRA BRAND NEW SEPT 24TH 09 SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BRAKE THEY GRIND AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THEY FIXED IT AROUND 8200 MILES AND IT STARTED AGAIN 7 THOUSAND LATER. ORIGINALLY THEY SAID THE PADS WERE GLAZED AND THE ROTORS HAD HOTSPOTS! ANYWAY MAYBE ITS THE TYPE OF PADS THEY USE. IM TIRED OF IT AND JUST WANT SMOOTH BRAKING. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE BY 09 NISSAN OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME THING. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF YOU HAVE TO BRAKE FAST THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10394353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles SAN Diego, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CAR PARKED ON PARKING LOT, TURNED ON, PRESSED BRAKE TO SHIFT TO REVERSE, LET BRAKE PEDAL GO STARTING BACKWARDS MOVEMENT, PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND STUCK IN UP POSITION, HIT SEVERAL TIMES THE BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND, HIT A WALL, PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND SHORTLY AFTER BRAKE SYSTEM RESPONDED. PASSENGER WITNESSED ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE WITH NO SUCCESS. DAMAGE TO BACK CORNER OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS 2009 SENTRA, UNDER WARRANTY NOT YET A YEAR AND VERY LOW MILEAGE, REQUESTED VEHICLE TOWING TO LOCAL DEALER SINCE NOT YET A YEAR OLD. NISSAN DROVE AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND REFUSING TO DO A FULL SERVICE EVEN UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF "LEGAL ISSUES " AND ASKED I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE, WHICH I DID (FILE: [XXX]), AND ALSO CALLED LOCAL DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT. REPORTED TO INSURANCE WHO ADVISES NOT TO TOUCH OR DRIVE VEHICLE. LOOKS LIKE ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10339027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,462 miles Glasgow, KY Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY CAR ACCELERATED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WITH ME PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD. I HAD STOPPED TO GET THE MAIL IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, SO HAD MY SEAT BELT OFF. I HAVE TO ALSO OPEN THE DOOR JUST A TAD, BECAUSE THE PAPER CONTAINER IS DOWN LOWER. WHEN IT WOULDN'T STOP AND MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IT WAS GOING ACROSS WAS SLIGHTLY HILLY, THE DOOR CAME COMPLETELY OPEN AND I GOT DRAGGED AND THEN I TURNED LOOSE AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. FORTUNATELY THE FRONT RIGHT MIRROR GOT CAUGHT ON A TREE AND IT STOPPED RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF MY NEIGHBORS YARD.

NHTSA complaint #10320820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2009 Nissan Sentra problems

← Full 2009 Nissan Sentra report