Recall 21V135 covers 807,376 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles with brake light switches that prevent brake lights from illuminating. Free repair once Nissan opens it.
Nissan is recalling 807,376 2016-2019 Sentra vehicles because contamination in the brake light switch can stop the circuit from closing and leave the brake lights dark. That removes a signal drivers behind you rely on, increasing crash risk, and the Nissan dealer repair will be free once Nissan opens the final remedy.
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What's wrong?
The stop lamp switch on 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles sits near the brake pedal and closes an electrical circuit when you press the pedal. It tells the rear brake lights to turn on so drivers behind you know you are slowing or stopped. It also helps the vehicle confirm that the brake pedal is pressed for starting and related controls.
On affected Sentras, silicon-based grease from nearby parts, including the HVAC area and brake booster clevis pin, can give off material that contaminates the switch contacts. Heat and tiny electrical arcs at the contact surface turn that contamination into oxidation and silicon dioxide buildup. The buildup keeps the switch from closing the circuit, so the brake lights do not illuminate when the pedal is pressed.
Owners can notice a malfunction indicator light on the dash, rear stop lamps that do not illuminate, or an engine that does not start. Those signs point to the switch circuit not reading the brake pedal correctly.
Who's affected?
Spans four Sentra model years, all tied to the same stop lamp switch.
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | Switch |
|---|---|
| 2017 Nissan Sentra | Switch |
| 2018 Nissan Sentra | Switch |
| 2019 Nissan Sentra | Switch |
| Units affected | 807,376 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that fail to illuminate leave drivers behind you without a clear stop signal, increasing the risk of a crash. Watch for a malfunction indicator light, rear stop lamps that stay dark, or an engine that will not start. Schedule service soon and drive cautiously until the switch is repaired. Repair will be free at any franchised Nissan dealer once Nissan opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask whether the free brake-light-switch and protective-grommet repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 21V135 when you call, and ask the dealer to check Nissan recall PM971.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one to you.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid heavy traffic when possible.
What happens at the repair
Until Nissan opens the final dealer repair, follow the interim instructions in the owner notice and avoid assuming the brake light switch repair can be scheduled as a completed recall remedy. Once the final repair is available, a Nissan technician will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet so contamination does not keep the brake light circuit from closing. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Nissan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this same repair. Ask Nissan customer service or the dealer what documentation they require.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 3, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 20, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 1, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V135?
Recall 21V135 covers 807,376 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles with a brake light switch that can become contaminated and stop the brake lights from illuminating. Nissan dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sentra is included in recall 21V135. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask about recall PM971. Ask whether the brake light switch repair is ready for your VIN before you plan a service visit.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V135, Nissan dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet free of charge.
What is the safety risk for this Nissan Sentra recall?
The safety risk is that the brake lights fail to illuminate when you press the brake pedal. Drivers behind you lose a key warning that your Sentra is slowing or stopping, which increases crash risk. The dealer repair corrects the brake light switch problem.
What if I bought my Nissan Sentra used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Sentra is included, then reference recall 21V135 or Nissan recall PM971 when you call a franchised Nissan dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V135000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800867-7769 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V135 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V135000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →