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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

Suspension complaints

15 reports
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17 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Air BagsExterior LightingStructureCrashInjury

WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON PA ST RD 31, AT 45MPH, AROUND 6PM, NOVEMBER 10. 2014, A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU DARTED OUT FROM A SIDE STREET WITHOUT YIELDING IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. AS THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN DARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MINE, THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO STOP TO PREVENT CRASH. SWERVED RIG…

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WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON PA ST RD 31, AT 45MPH, AROUND 6PM, NOVEMBER 10. 2014, A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU DARTED OUT FROM A SIDE STREET WITHOUT YIELDING IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. AS THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN DARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MINE, THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO STOP TO PREVENT CRASH. SWERVED RIGHT TO TRY TO AVOID COLLISION BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID CONTACT. CONTACT WAS MADE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. THERE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659005

50,000 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. A NHTSA RECALL # 01V174000 WAS FOUND ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE, FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM. THE VIN # FELL WITHIN THE VIN NUMBERS FOR THE RECALL, BUT …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. A NHTSA RECALL # 01V174000 WAS FOUND ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE, FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM. THE VIN # FELL WITHIN THE VIN NUMBERS FOR THE RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL REPAIR, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10176039

17,500 miles · May 6, 2003
SteeringSuspension

THE STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE WHILE MAKING A TURN WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CURB. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASION BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10017841

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2001 SENTRA. STEERING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTER. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. CRUNCHING NOISE FROM SHOCKS/STRUTS WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR WHEN EXITING DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD (UNEVEN PAVEMENT). WORSE WHEN COLD. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. BRAKES MAKE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. WORSE WHEN COLD. …

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MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2001 SENTRA. STEERING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTER. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. CRUNCHING NOISE FROM SHOCKS/STRUTS WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR WHEN EXITING DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD (UNEVEN PAVEMENT). WORSE WHEN COLD. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. BRAKES MAKE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. WORSE WHEN COLD. CAR HAS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE - TIGHT/DIFFICULT STEERING AND NOISY SUSPENSION. DRIVES LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD CHEVY INSTEAD OF A 2 YEAR OLD JAPANESE CAR. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY HONDA!!!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10013575

30 miles · Feb 12, 2003
Suspension

REAR STRUT NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE ATTEMPTS. FIRST SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 2001 DEALER REPLACED RIGHT REAR STRUT. NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. IN, 2003 NOISE GET LOUDER GOING OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH ROAD. DEALER REPLACED REAR STRUT MOUNT 2/6/2003. THIS WAS INEFFECTIVE AS NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. UNSURE OF VE…

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REAR STRUT NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE ATTEMPTS. FIRST SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 2001 DEALER REPLACED RIGHT REAR STRUT. NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. IN, 2003 NOISE GET LOUDER GOING OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH ROAD. DEALER REPLACED REAR STRUT MOUNT 2/6/2003. THIS WAS INEFFECTIVE AS NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. UNSURE OF VEHICLE SAFETY AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI #10005762

37,275 miles · Jan 13, 2003
SuspensionWheelsCrashInjury

11/28/2002 ABOARD CAMP PENDLETON DRIVING APPROX. 25MPH, RIGHT FRONT OEM ALLOY RIM BLEW OFF "UNIFORMATIVELY" 1 INCH OUTWARD FROM CENTER OF RIM, LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINT CAME APART, VEHICLE SMASHED DOWN IN ROAD. (I HAVE A VIDEO TAPE OF ACCIDENT TO SHOW MY CAR FELL IN THE ROAD, WITH NO OUTSIDE FORCE CAUSING ACCIDENT LIKE MANUFAC…

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11/28/2002 ABOARD CAMP PENDLETON DRIVING APPROX. 25MPH, RIGHT FRONT OEM ALLOY RIM BLEW OFF "UNIFORMATIVELY" 1 INCH OUTWARD FROM CENTER OF RIM, LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINT CAME APART, VEHICLE SMASHED DOWN IN ROAD. (I HAVE A VIDEO TAPE OF ACCIDENT TO SHOW MY CAR FELL IN THE ROAD, WITH NO OUTSIDE FORCE CAUSING ACCIDENT LIKE MANUFACTURE CLAIMS)

NHTSA ODI #10000993

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionWheels

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH ENGINE POWER.*JB CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL ACCIDENT OR CRASH. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8008967

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2002
Suspension

DRIVER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL ON LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003725

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
SuspensionWheels

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON REPLACING ALL ATTACHMENT BOLTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION, DEALER DID NOT HONOR RECALL, STATING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JG

NHTSA ODI #564175

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2002
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

HEADREST WILL NOT STAY IN DOWN POSITION, IT KEEPS RISING UP, BLOCKING CONSUMER'S VIEW ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001518

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.