CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON DASHBOARD AND REMAIN ON. *BF THREE REPAIRS WERE DONE ON VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT THEREFORE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REFUNDED. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V511000 *TC
2001 Nissan Sentra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sentra years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Sentra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 116.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sentra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
121 reports with mileage · 115 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
93 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED.*AK *TC
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MORE THEY COULD DO, WITHOUT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. *JB
IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE CAR HAS HAD THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GO OFF 7 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED 3 SENSORS (1 AT MY EXPENSE FOR ~$300), THEN THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR THAT TOTALLY DIED. AFTER THAT IT WAS THE EXAHUST SYSTEM AND THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OTHE PART. NOW FOR THE SEVENTH TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR T…
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IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE CAR HAS HAD THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GO OFF 7 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED 3 SENSORS (1 AT MY EXPENSE FOR ~$300), THEN THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR THAT TOTALLY DIED. AFTER THAT IT WAS THE EXAHUST SYSTEM AND THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OTHE PART. NOW FOR THE SEVENTH TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT IS THE O2 SENSOR (OBD II CODE P0160). THIS SENSORS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST UP TO 100000 MILES AND THE DEALER IS ASKING ME TO PAY ANOTHER $300 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ECM MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
TOOK 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TO PENZOIL TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHEN THE SERVICE MAN ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE OIL STICK OUT TO VERIFY THE NEW OIL LEVEL, THE MOLDED PLASTIC HANDLE OF THE STICK BROKE, LEAVING THE METAL STICK OUT OF REACH, DOWN THE LONG METAL TUBE THAT LEADS TO THE ENGINE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, PART OF THE MOLDED PLASTIC…
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TOOK 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TO PENZOIL TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHEN THE SERVICE MAN ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE OIL STICK OUT TO VERIFY THE NEW OIL LEVEL, THE MOLDED PLASTIC HANDLE OF THE STICK BROKE, LEAVING THE METAL STICK OUT OF REACH, DOWN THE LONG METAL TUBE THAT LEADS TO THE ENGINE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, PART OF THE MOLDED PLASTIC WAS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE STICK, MAKING RETRIEVAL BY MAGNET AN IMPOSSIBILITY.*AK
1&2) DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTS TO SHUDDER AND BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MPH, STILL SHUDDERING BUT NOT AS MUCH. STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. OTHER CARS VEER AROUND ME. TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. DOESN'T START. WAIT 5 MINUTES IN…
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1&2) DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTS TO SHUDDER AND BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MPH, STILL SHUDDERING BUT NOT AS MUCH. STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. OTHER CARS VEER AROUND ME. TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. DOESN'T START. WAIT 5 MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (IT WAS RAINING AND HAILING AT THE TIME) AND TRY TO START AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STARTS BUT IDLES VERY HEAVILY. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. I TRIED TO DRIVE A FEW MORE BLOCKS, AND THE CAR ALMOST ENDED UP DYING IN AN INTERSECTION. AT THAT POINT I PULLED OVER RIGHT AFTER ROLLING SLOWLY OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WOULD STILL START BUT I DIDN'T TRUST IT TO DRIVE IT. 3) THE MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THE FAILURE IS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND COSTS $488.19 PLUS A HALF HOUR OF LABOR FOR INSTALLATION!!! THE NEW PART ALSO NEEDS TO BE SYNCHED UP WITH THE CAR'S COMPUTER BECAUSE ITS DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD PART SINCE NISSAN KNOWS THAT THE OLD PART IS NO GOOD. SEEMS TO ME THEY SHOULD HAVE INITIATED A RECALL IF THIS IS REALLY THE CASE. IF YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT ANY OF THIS IS FALSE, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE KNOWING THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS MECHANIC KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT OR NOT SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE USED HIM. THANKS. *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH SPUTTERING THREE TIMES BUT IT DID NOT STALL. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE COIL ASSEMBLY FAILED. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVEN RECALLS AND FOUR OF THEM HAVE BEEN ENGINE RELATED. UPON PICKING U…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH SPUTTERING THREE TIMES BUT IT DID NOT STALL. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE COIL ASSEMBLY FAILED. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVEN RECALLS AND FOUR OF THEM HAVE BEEN ENGINE RELATED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND FOUND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE. *NM *NM
WHILE I WAS HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, THE DIPSTICK BROKE. NISSAN TELLS ME THAT THIS WILL COST $366 TO FIX!!! AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE GUY AT TRONCOLLI NISSAN IN ATLANTA SAYS THAT ITS BASICALLY "TOUGH LUCK" BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE PAID THE INSANE PRICES OF A DEALERSHIP OIL CHANGE.…
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WHILE I WAS HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, THE DIPSTICK BROKE. NISSAN TELLS ME THAT THIS WILL COST $366 TO FIX!!! AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE GUY AT TRONCOLLI NISSAN IN ATLANTA SAYS THAT ITS BASICALLY "TOUGH LUCK" BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE PAID THE INSANE PRICES OF A DEALERSHIP OIL CHANGE. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM, AND IF THEY FIX THEM BEFORE THEY BREAK IT WILL BE ONLY A SMALL COST. *AK
THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC DIPSTICK IN MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA BROKE OFF TODAY AND THE DIPSTICK ITSELF SLID DOWN INTO THE ENGINE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, THIS IS COMMON WITH MANY OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. I NOW NEED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT DIPSTICK AND WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO RETRIEVE MINE (EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOW BROKEN). H…
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THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC DIPSTICK IN MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA BROKE OFF TODAY AND THE DIPSTICK ITSELF SLID DOWN INTO THE ENGINE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, THIS IS COMMON WITH MANY OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. I NOW NEED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT DIPSTICK AND WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO RETRIEVE MINE (EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOW BROKEN). HOWEVER, SOME DEALERSHIPS ARE TRYING TO CHARGE OVER $100 TO RETRIEVE THE DIPSTICK. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO, MY POWER WINDOWS ARE STARTING TO STICK AND NOT GO UP AND DOWN. MY CAR IS BARELY 3 YRS OLD; THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS TOO. *AK
Official recalls
703V511000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Dec 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
03V477000 · Electrical System:ignition:module
Nov 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
01V376000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Dec 12, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE MISSING TAMPERPROOF CAPS THAT PREVENT HORIZONTAL HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TAMPERPROOF CAP OVER THE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT SCREW FOR BOTH HEADLAMPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
01V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
Nov 16, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 1.8 LITER ENGINE. THE ENGINE COULD STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT COMING ON OR REDUCED ENGINE POWER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
01V277000 · Wheels
Aug 29, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COOLING HOLES IN THE STEEL WHEEL MAY HAVE BURRS ON THEIR EDGES AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURING. THESE BURRS CAN CAUSE CRACKS AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. CRACKS CAN PROPAGATE BETWEEN ADJACENT COOLING HOLES. IF ENOUGH CRACKS DEVELOP BETWEEN THE COOLING HOLES, THE WHEEL COULD FAIL AND SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING HUB WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL IF CRACKS ARE DISCOVERED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001, ASKING OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE WHEELS. ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN IN EARLY DECEMBER, AT WHICH TIME NISSAN WILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT WHEELS, REQUESTING OWNERS TO RETURN TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE WHEELS REPLACED. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
01V174000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 23, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR MORE OF THE THREE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH EACH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE BODY ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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