← New search

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

Other model years Selected 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

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
104,997 miles · Sep 2, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE DIPSTICK BROKE OFF IN THE TUBE ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE METAL STICK AND PLASTIC TOP TO THE STICK ARE ABOUT 3 INCHES IN THE TUBE AND ARE UNRETREIVABLE BY MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $250 TO GET THE STICK OUT AND REPLACE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201700

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2007
Equipment

MY 2002 NISSAN SENTRA GXE OIL DIP STICK BROKE WHEN I WAS PULLING IT OUT TO CHECK MY OIL LEVEL. I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10201237

100,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE OIL DIPSTICK HANDLE BROKE AND THE PASTIC ABOVE THE DIPSTICK IS WELDED TO THE METAL TUBE. THE DIPSTICK CANNOT BE REMOVED. I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT DIPSTICK ONLINE, BUT THE NISSAN TECHNICIANS SAY IT COSTS $200 IN SERVICE TO REMOVE THE TUBE AND GET THE OLD ONE OUT. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART.

NHTSA ODI #10194788

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY SUMMER, SHE HAS TO REPLACE THE OIL DIP STICK. SHE STATED THAT THE PLASTIC TOP FAILS AND AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN IS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE OIL. THE DIP STICK IS THE ONLY TYPE THAT IS MANUFACTURED FOR THIS PART. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO PURCHASE THE STI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY SUMMER, SHE HAS TO REPLACE THE OIL DIP STICK. SHE STATED THAT THE PLASTIC TOP FAILS AND AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN IS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE OIL. THE DIP STICK IS THE ONLY TYPE THAT IS MANUFACTURED FOR THIS PART. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO PURCHASE THE STICKS. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,075 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192015

79,400 miles · May 17, 2007
Tires

ON 5-4-07 I NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. MY BOYFRIEND FILLED IT WITH AIR AND I THOUGHT NOTHING FURTHER OF IT. ON 5-15-07 I PICKED HIM UP FROM WORK AND HAD A FLAT ON THE WAY OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. WE FILLED IT WITH AIR, BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT HOME BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY FLAT AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS AFTER 11 PM AND WE W…

Read full complaint

ON 5-4-07 I NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. MY BOYFRIEND FILLED IT WITH AIR AND I THOUGHT NOTHING FURTHER OF IT. ON 5-15-07 I PICKED HIM UP FROM WORK AND HAD A FLAT ON THE WAY OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. WE FILLED IT WITH AIR, BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT HOME BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY FLAT AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS AFTER 11 PM AND WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. ONCE WE ARRIVED THE TIRE HAD A CHUNK OF TREAD MISSING, EXPOSING METAL BARBS, ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE BOY FRIEND CHANGED IT THE NEXT DAY SO WE COULD TAKE IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE. THEY INFORMED US THAT 3 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE BAD, THE OTHER 2 WOULD END UP HAVING TREAD TORN IN THE SAME WA, DUE TO MECHANICAL ERROR IN MANUFACTURING OF THE TIRE. ALTHOUGH THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY PER MILEAGE, WE STILL HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10191045

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2007
Equipment

OEM 6-DISC IN DASH CD CHANGER SHOWS ERR2, AND DOES NOT PLAY CDS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ON 4-9-07 THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $79 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH, AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN IN DASH CD CHANGER. ALSO, THAT NISSAN SEEMED TO BE…

Read full complaint

OEM 6-DISC IN DASH CD CHANGER SHOWS ERR2, AND DOES NOT PLAY CDS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ON 4-9-07 THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $79 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH, AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN IN DASH CD CHANGER. ALSO, THAT NISSAN SEEMED TO BE IGNORING OR DENYING THE PROBLEM. AK

NHTSA ODI #10187671

163,000 miles · Feb 8, 2007
Air Bags

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WASTHE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. EACH TIME AFTER HAVING THE REPLACEMENT MADE A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER HE COULD SEE THE CORNERS OF THE AIR BAG LIFTING UP AG…

Read full complaint

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WASTHE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. EACH TIME AFTER HAVING THE REPLACEMENT MADE A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER HE COULD SEE THE CORNERS OF THE AIR BAG LIFTING UP AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAG WAS ACTUALLY REPLACED OR WHETHER THE ORIGINAL WAS REPAIRED POORLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG KEPT COMING UP IN THE SAME PLACE. AK UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182019

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 …

Read full complaint

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

73,000 miles · Oct 31, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE STALLING PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHI…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE STALLING PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE CRANK CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10172268

65,100 miles · Aug 18, 2006
Electrical System

I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. WE FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CALLED SAYING THE HORN WORKS, THE FUSE IS FINE AND THE RELAY WORKS, BUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FUSE AND THE RELAY, IT'S LOSING POWER; LIKELY A SHORT IN THE WIRE. BUT THEY SAID IT IS WIRED IN SUCH A CONVOLUT…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. WE FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CALLED SAYING THE HORN WORKS, THE FUSE IS FINE AND THE RELAY WORKS, BUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FUSE AND THE RELAY, IT'S LOSING POWER; LIKELY A SHORT IN THE WIRE. BUT THEY SAID IT IS WIRED IN SUCH A CONVOLUTED WAY THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER 2 HOURS TO FIND THE RIGHT WIRE AND FIX. I FOUND THIS IN AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD: "JUST CURIOUS IF ANY OTHERS HAVE ISSUES WITH THEIR 00-06 SENTRA HORNS...MEANING YOU HIT YOUR HORN OR KEY FOB AND NO SOUND FROM THE HORN? I HAD MY 2001 SE FIXED AROUND 60,XXX...FOUND OUT FROM NISSAN THAT THE WIRES ARE A BIT SHORT RUNNING TO THE HORN SPEAKER...I THINK THE WIRING GOES UNDER THE RADIATOR. IT GETS STRESSED AND RUBS SOMEWHERE AND DUE TO CORROSION OR TOTAL BREAKAGE THE HORN THEN NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE PART I'M PISSED ABOUT IS THAT NOW AT 68K THE PROBLEM IS ONCE AGAIN BACK. I KNOW ACCORDING TO MY FATHER WHO USE TO WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO PRIVATE GARAGES AROUND THE U.S. THAT THIS IN FACT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE SENTRA'S, BUT ACCORDING TO NISSAN DOES NOT REQUIRE AN NTSB. SAFETY FEATURE IN MY OPINION. NISSAN SAYS I'LL HAVE TO BRING IT IN AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS. I THINK I CALL THE REGIONAL MANAGER. TWICE I'VE HAD SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME AND I HAVE NO HORN. ''NISSAN SAID CHECK THE FUSE...THEIR TYPICAL RESPONSE. AFTER TALKING AT LENGTH TO THE NISSAN DEALER THAT LAST FIXED THIS ISSUE THEY FINALLY GAVE UP AND SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SAME ISSUE WAS BACK." AFTER THIS, I CALLED MY LOCAL NISSAN REPAIR SHOP (517 393-5700) AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. AFTER TELLING HIM THE PROBLEM, HE PUT ME ON HOLD AND CHECKED THEIR RECORDS. HE INDICATED TO ME THAT YES, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OF NISSAN, BUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING NISSAN NOR THEY COULD DO RE: FIXING THE HORN WHICH IS CAUSED BY AN ADMITTEDLY POORLY DESIGNED HORN WIRING SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165976

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.