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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

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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.

20 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

93 reports
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42,110 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE HANDLE OF MY OIL DIPSTICK ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA GXE BROKE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $500 INORDER TO GET THE HANDLE OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SHOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.*AK I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DIPSTICK OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10075351

56,200 miles · Jun 11, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

HELLO, I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3.5 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME IT'S HAD AT LEAST 4-5 RECALLS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK IT IN FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CASE HOLDER RECALL IN EARLY MARCH. THIS RECALL WAS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ABOUT TWO MONTHS L…

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HELLO, I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3.5 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME IT'S HAD AT LEAST 4-5 RECALLS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK IT IN FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CASE HOLDER RECALL IN EARLY MARCH. THIS RECALL WAS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, I WAS ON THE ROAD SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I THOUGH THAT MAYBE I HAD IT IN GEAR AND I JUST RELEASED THE CLUTCH ON ACCIDENT, BUT IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON THAT TRIP. NOW I CONSTANSTLY HAVE THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN SITTING IN IDLE. IT HAS HAPPENED DURING TURNS IN WHICH IT MADE IT VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AS THE POWER STEERING IS CUT OFF. I DID TAKE THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD AIR FLOW METER. I DECLINED TO HAVE IT FIXED AS I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND REQUESTED THEY FIX MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER THEY DECLINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075221

32,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT HAS COME ON. I NOTICED FROM THE NISSAN WEB SITE THAT THERE ARE THREE RECALLS THAT MAY RESULT IN THE LIGHT COMING ON. MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THE VIN RANGE LISTED ON NISSAN WEB SITE. SO, I CONTACTED ONE OF THE NISSAN DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD HAVE MY CAR INSPE…

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I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT HAS COME ON. I NOTICED FROM THE NISSAN WEB SITE THAT THERE ARE THREE RECALLS THAT MAY RESULT IN THE LIGHT COMING ON. MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THE VIN RANGE LISTED ON NISSAN WEB SITE. SO, I CONTACTED ONE OF THE NISSAN DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED FOR $81 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE WARRANTY ANY MORE. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE IF THE CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST AND MAY HAVE A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. I AM SURE NISSAN (OR NISSAN DEALERS) CAN MAKE HUGE MONEY BY JUST DIAGNOSING DEFECTIVE NISSAN VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075159

80,000 miles · May 4, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingWheels

3 OF 7 RECALL NOTICES RELATED TO ENGINE SESNORS OTHERS RELATED TO WHEEL REPLACEMENT;AND FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS ENGINE LIGHT ELUMINATED PRIOR TO 3RD ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICE; DIAGNOSTIC DONE; 3 WEEKS KLATER ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED AND SMOKED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT, NEAR COLLISSION; 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TOWE…

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3 OF 7 RECALL NOTICES RELATED TO ENGINE SESNORS OTHERS RELATED TO WHEEL REPLACEMENT;AND FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS ENGINE LIGHT ELUMINATED PRIOR TO 3RD ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICE; DIAGNOSTIC DONE; 3 WEEKS KLATER ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED AND SMOKED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT, NEAR COLLISSION; 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TOWED TO DEALER; $485.00 ENGINE COIL ASSEMBLY MAINTENENACE DONE; 2 MILES OFF LOT ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN; NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS NEEDED BECAUSE THEY SAY THE ENGINE REPAIRS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICES. THEY SAY THE REPEATED PURCHASE OF TIRES ARE ALSO NOT CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL REPLACEMENT RECALL FOR WHICH THE WHEELS WERE NOT UPON THEIR INSPECTION. ISSUE IS WHEELS ARE SEPARATING AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO FAIL AND I KEEP SPENDING MONEY IN THE HOPES A 21 YEAR OLD CAN DRIVE SAFELY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068277

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. PRIOR TO HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE MY CAR HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF (IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 40K MILES). NOW MY CAR STALLS EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO STOP. IF I HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAV…

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I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. PRIOR TO HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE MY CAR HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF (IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 40K MILES). NOW MY CAR STALLS EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO STOP. IF I HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART MY CAR. SINCE I HAVE A CLUTCH I CAN POP THE CLUTCH TO RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE I AM STILL DRIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS NOT ON DUE TO THE RECALL BUT BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON, BUT MY CAR STALLS CONSISTENTLY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. I THOUGHT THEY WERE RELIABLE CARS. BUT AFTER HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON.

NHTSA ODI #10066537

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK OTHER FAILED PARTS WERE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ELECT…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK OTHER FAILED PARTS WERE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ELECTRICAL COIL, AND THE CRANK SENSOR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059295

71,615 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA SE 2.0 LITRE IS IN THE HABIT OF "DYING" WHILE TRAVELING. IF THERE WERE NO SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO AND RESTART THE CAR A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION WOULD OCCUR. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WILL REIMBURSE ME IF THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE RECEIVES A RECALL LIKE THE 1.8 AND 2.5 LITER ENGINES DID FOR THE …

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MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA SE 2.0 LITRE IS IN THE HABIT OF "DYING" WHILE TRAVELING. IF THERE WERE NO SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO AND RESTART THE CAR A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION WOULD OCCUR. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WILL REIMBURSE ME IF THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE RECEIVES A RECALL LIKE THE 1.8 AND 2.5 LITER ENGINES DID FOR THE SAME SCENARIO. WHAT GIVES? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064594

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. *PH THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TWO AFTER THE INCIDENT REGARDING AN ENGINE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. …

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THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. *PH THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TWO AFTER THE INCIDENT REGARDING AN ENGINE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10066721

40,899 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE WERE RELATED TO RECALL 03V455000 AND 03V477000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059721

66,950 miles · Feb 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL DIPSTICK HANDLE CRACKS OFF LEAVING DIPSTICK STUCK IN ENGINE. THE HANDLE IS PLASTIC IN A HOT AREA BEING THE ENGINE AND HAS A WEAK POINT ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SEE DISCUSSION BOARD HTTP://WWW.BROOMEMAN.COM/MT/ARCHIVES/001156.HTML. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10060057

Official recalls

7

03V511000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.