# Nissan Sentra power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 10 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (3) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 10 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Nissan Sentra (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (3). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Nissan Sentra power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 352 | 1% | | 2016 | 1 | 270 | 0% | | 2017 | 2 | 231 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 207 | 1% | | 2021 | 2 | 133 | 2% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Nissan Sentra recalls related to the power steering warning light **[23V581000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V581000)** (2020-2022 models, reported 2023-08-15): A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** 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... **[21V461000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V461000)** (2020-2021 models, reported 2021-06-17): A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** 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. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Nissan Sentra owners report - "The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality without warning, causing the steering wheel to become stiff. The vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the axle..." -- owner of a 2021 Nissan Sentra, complaint filed 2023 - "A mechanic looked at the car and told me that I need a new power steering rack and that it isn't covered under warranty. I asked about the recall on the tie rod ends. I was told the tie rod ends have no bearing (ha,ha) on the power steering rack. I was told the power steering rack would cost $2,800 to have..." -- owner of a 2020 Nissan Sentra, complaint filed 2023 - "We were able to navigate safely into the shoulder while the power steering, dashboard, and engine were all completely off. No lights or other errors appeared. We took the car to an auto zone where they checked and cleaned the battery from corrosion. Assuming we were fine, we embarked on the three hour journey home..." -- owner of a 2017 Nissan Sentra, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Nissan Sentra power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (23V581000, 21V461000) covering 2020-2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Nissan Sentra years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2020 Sentra model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 3 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Nissan Sentra with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Nissan Sentra has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Nissan dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Nissan Sentra warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/nissan-sentra): 16 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-sentra): 44 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/nissan-sentra): 12 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/nissan-sentra): 49 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/nissan-sentra): 117 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/nissan-sentra): 17 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Nissan Sentra - [Nissan Sentra specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/nissan-sentra) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/nissan-sentra Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.