IllustrationRIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW UT SIDE WALL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED.*AK
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
150–25K
3325–50K
2850–75K
1975–100K
15100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR CITY TRAFFIC THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. *TT *SCC
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES FAILED, ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *SLC
OIL FILTER REMOVAL RESULTS IN OIL DRAINING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. LOTS OF AIR POLLUTION, SMOKE AND SMELL UPON START UP. DEALERS HAVE NO REMEDY EXCEPT TO SUGGEST USE OF LOTS OF RAGS. NISSAN UNRESPONSIVE. ACCORDING TO DEALERS, THIS IS THE ONLY MODEL SO AFFECTED.*AK
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE TO CHANGE WHEELS AND VALVES CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES LOSING AIR . CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 6OOO MILES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *YH
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CAR HAD NO POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD THAT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THEN TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT WORKING AND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS BROKEN. THE COMPUTER AND WIRING WERE MOVING ARO…
Read full complaint
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CAR HAD NO POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD THAT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THEN TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT WORKING AND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS BROKEN. THE COMPUTER AND WIRING WERE MOVING AROUND. WAITED FOR THIS PART FROM APRIL 24TH TO MAY 31ST. THIS PART WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 3RD AND WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE WOULD STILL NOT RUN. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE APRIL 22ND; PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION.*AK
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG COVER KEEPS LIFTING OFF. DEALER HAS REPLACED COVER 3 TIMES. *AK
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
HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROX. 45 MILES AND HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY....AUTO SHOP SAYS WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES FRONT OF CAR DIPS DOWN THEREFOR MISSING MY AIRBAG SENSORS...DON'T YOU ALWAYS BRAKE WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET IN WRECK? THEN WHAT GOOD ARE MY AIRBAGS?*AK
HEAD REST ON BACK OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WILL NOT STAY DOWN, MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, UNSAFE IN A REAR END COLLISION, NO SUPPORT FOR BACK. DEALER FIXED IT 6 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *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.