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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

What owners actually said

236 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2004
Visibility

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AND WE HAVE HAD MANY RECALLS AND THE LAST ONE ON APRIL 13, 2004 THE DEALER LEFT A PIECE OF FOAM INSULATION AND MY AIR CONDITIONER ( DOES NOT WORK) AND HEATER WORKS NOW SINCE REMOVED THE INSULATION AWAY FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NASTY WITH ME …

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I HAVE HAD MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AND WE HAVE HAD MANY RECALLS AND THE LAST ONE ON APRIL 13, 2004 THE DEALER LEFT A PIECE OF FOAM INSULATION AND MY AIR CONDITIONER ( DOES NOT WORK) AND HEATER WORKS NOW SINCE REMOVED THE INSULATION AWAY FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NASTY WITH ME WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN COVERED UNDER BULLETIN # NTB00091 AND NTB00091B. IF THERE WAS A FAULTY AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WHEN THE CAR FIRST CAME OUT THEN SOMEONE SHOULD OF BEEN TOLD. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS WAS NOT TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090637

53,261 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Air Bags

DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING COLUMN AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $385.00. *AK DRIVER HORN STOPPED WORKING CAUSED BY FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. *TS

NHTSA ODI #10087879

39,000 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED.*AK *TC

NHTSA ODI #10089798

45,850 miles · Aug 25, 2004
Tires

REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY. FOUND A LUMP STARTING IN SECOND REAR TIRE. PREVIOUSLY I HAD REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES ON 3/24/04 DUE TO LUMPS OR BUBBLES FORMING. ONE OF THESE TIRES STARTED WEARING IN AN ODD WAY AND CAUSED VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION. THESE WERE THE OEM TIRES AND AT THAT TIME HAD 37,486 MILES. SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR …

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REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY. FOUND A LUMP STARTING IN SECOND REAR TIRE. PREVIOUSLY I HAD REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES ON 3/24/04 DUE TO LUMPS OR BUBBLES FORMING. ONE OF THESE TIRES STARTED WEARING IN AN ODD WAY AND CAUSED VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION. THESE WERE THE OEM TIRES AND AT THAT TIME HAD 37,486 MILES. SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE I HAD NOTICED VIBRATION AND SKIRMYNESS WHILE DRIVING. I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND NOTICED THEY SEEMED OUT OF ROUND AND ODD SHAPED. I PLANNED TO REPLACE THEMM IN A FEW DAYS. I DID NOT THINK AT THE TIME A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. I WAS WRONG AS THE FAILURE OCCURED TWO DAYS BEFORE I PLANNED TO REPLACE THEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088576

31,500 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO VIBRATE AT 29K MILES. AS A RESULT,THE DRIVER SIDE TIRES TREAD SEPARATED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE VIBRATION HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT A TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10081679

80,500 miles · Aug 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10089300

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10088093

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10084054

30,000 miles · Aug 2, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 30000 MILES HAS SEVERE BRAKING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, REQUIRING SIGNFICANT AND COSTLY REPAIRS. APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH 2001 SENTRA.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083188

50,000 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10080508

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.