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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

Wheels complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 31, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingWheelsCrashInjury

NISSAN SENTRA 2001 SE. MOTOR STOPPED ON FREEWAY AT ONCE, FAILURE WAS CRANK SENSOR. COST ME 500 PARTS TOW AND LABOR, NO DEALER AROUND OR OPEN. NEW SENSOR FAILING NOW I THINK, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON AGAIN. ECM PROBLEMS , ALSO FRONT RIM BROKE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO GO IN DITCH, NEEDS BODY REPAIR NOW. BAD VIBRATION IN STEERI…

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NISSAN SENTRA 2001 SE. MOTOR STOPPED ON FREEWAY AT ONCE, FAILURE WAS CRANK SENSOR. COST ME 500 PARTS TOW AND LABOR, NO DEALER AROUND OR OPEN. NEW SENSOR FAILING NOW I THINK, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON AGAIN. ECM PROBLEMS , ALSO FRONT RIM BROKE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO GO IN DITCH, NEEDS BODY REPAIR NOW. BAD VIBRATION IN STEERING. HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS CAR FIXED AT DEALER NO LUCK ALSO TRIED NISSAN CONSUMER AFF. THEY ALSO HAD NO LUCK GETTING CAR IN FOR SAFETY FIXES. THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS AND NEVER RETURN MY CALLS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158651

52,930 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Wheels

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARALLEL PARKING SHE HIT A CURB AND DENTED THE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE WHEEL AT HER OWN COST OF $27.86. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHY THE WHEEL WAS DENTED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ONCE, BUT DID NOT GET ANY RESPONS…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARALLEL PARKING SHE HIT A CURB AND DENTED THE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE WHEEL AT HER OWN COST OF $27.86. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHY THE WHEEL WAS DENTED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ONCE, BUT DID NOT GET ANY RESPONSE. ALL FOUR WHEELS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY NISSAN BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL USED IN THE WHEELS ARE OF A POOR QUALITY. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138699

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 · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingEquipmentCrash

MY ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPHS ON THE FREEWAY, THE VERY DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR YET ANOTHER DEFECT SENSOR. IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT CRASH AND KILL ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN, I HAVE REQUESTED IT BE CHECKED FOR A SHORT IN THE WIRING. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD …

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MY ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPHS ON THE FREEWAY, THE VERY DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR YET ANOTHER DEFECT SENSOR. IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT CRASH AND KILL ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN, I HAVE REQUESTED IT BE CHECKED FOR A SHORT IN THE WIRING. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NO. I LATER LEARNED THAR MEANT IF IT DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER, THEN THEY WOULDN'T LOOK FOR IT SPECIFICALLY. FOLLOWING THE LATEST HAZARD, I GOT IN NISSAN'S FACE. NISSAN FOUND A DEFECT OXYGEN SENSOR THIS TIME. UPON RETESTING THE VEHICLE, THE EMC (THE BRAIN OF THE VEHICLE) WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. I WAS ALSO TOLD HAD I DRIVEN THE CAR ANY LONGER, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD HAVE BLOWN TOO. WELL, THAT EXPLAINS ALL THE LOUSY GAS MILEAGE THIS PAST YEAR. SO, HERE IT IS A WEEK LATER AND MY VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE SHOP WITH A BACK ORDERED EMC WITH NO AVAILABLE STOCK DATE IN SIGHT. I AM RENTING A VEHICLE AND AM RECEIVING VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN AS TO GETTING A RENTAL VEHICLE IN THE MEANTIME. I AM QUITE CONCERNED I HAVE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SPANKING YELLOW LEMON. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THIS VEHICLE, EVEN WITH A NEW EMC, WILL PRODUCE OTHER DEFECTIVE SENSORS ONCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR FROM THE OLD ONE. THERE ARE 45 SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 5-10 HAVE BLOWN SO FAR. I AM QUITE CERTAIN OTHERS ARE CLOSE TO FAILURE TOO. I AM JUST AS CONCERNED WHEN BOTH THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AS SO MANY VEHICLES HAVE ENDURED THIS PROBLME, THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10070680

17,350 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheelsCrash

THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING UP AND A POSSIBILITY OF NO FRONT BRAKES. SCC PH

NHTSA ODI #10004793

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 · 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.