2020 Nissan Sentra: Car will not start and malfunction indicator comes on
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2020 Sentra report: car will not start and malfunction indicator comes on. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 48,400 miles.
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints for the 2020 Sentra in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765990 (filed 09/21/2026): “The back up camera frequently goes blank when the car is put in reverse. this is a safety hazard as i can't see what is behind me when i am backing up. upon further research, this is common in nissan sentras around this time but my specific car was not under t…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11752295 (filed 07/23/2026): “3/4 doors will not lock/unlock using fob, or the door controllers. this increases risk of theft, car jacking, and safety as the locks do not engage while driving. very dangerous. windows do not roll up/down, which when paired with the doors needing to be locke…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace the alternator (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $700 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Car will not start and malfunction indicator comes on (2020 Sentra)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2020 Sentra
Page last updated .