← 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
43,500 miles · Jun 21, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 SENTRA GXE NOT DRIVEABLE; ENGINE REVS AND LURCHES ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. FIRST TIME I WAS AT HOME, HAD THE CAR TOWED AND REPLACED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. $835 AND LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER, CAR DID EXACT SAME THING ONLY AT A STOPLIGHT THIS TIME. CAR DIED AND BEGAN REVVING AND LURCHING AS SOON AS I RE-STARTED ENGI…

Read full complaint

2001 SENTRA GXE NOT DRIVEABLE; ENGINE REVS AND LURCHES ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. FIRST TIME I WAS AT HOME, HAD THE CAR TOWED AND REPLACED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. $835 AND LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER, CAR DID EXACT SAME THING ONLY AT A STOPLIGHT THIS TIME. CAR DIED AND BEGAN REVVING AND LURCHING AS SOON AS I RE-STARTED ENGINE. TOWED TO ORIGINAL MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW AT DEALER WAITING TO BE LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ODI #10126090

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2005
Electrical System

MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE HIGGHWAY AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON.I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER .THEY SAID I HAD 4 RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND THEY REPAIRED 3 OF THE 4 RECALLS. LATER THAT DAY THEY SAID THEY HAD TO GO BACK IN MY ENGINE BECAUSE THE TIMING WILL NOT SET AND THE CAR IS STIILL SHUUTING DOWN. THE CAR IS S…

Read full complaint

MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE HIGGHWAY AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON.I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER .THEY SAID I HAD 4 RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND THEY REPAIRED 3 OF THE 4 RECALLS. LATER THAT DAY THEY SAID THEY HAD TO GO BACK IN MY ENGINE BECAUSE THE TIMING WILL NOT SET AND THE CAR IS STIILL SHUUTING DOWN. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP .THE 4 RECALLS WERE SUSP BOLT,ECM FOAM, HEADLAMP AND CRANK SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #10125431

45,677 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V455000 CONCERNING CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WELD. HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL FOR 03V477000 ECM MATERIAL WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL FOR THE ECM. *AK ON 3/31/04 THE ENGINE SENSOR REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, …

Read full complaint

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V455000 CONCERNING CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WELD. HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL FOR 03V477000 ECM MATERIAL WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL FOR THE ECM. *AK ON 3/31/04 THE ENGINE SENSOR REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, ON 12/03/04 THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE TECH REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR, THERMOSTAT AND FAN BELTS. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TT *NM

NHTSA ODI #10117268

58,000 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Electrical System

1. HORN STOPPED WORKING. DIAGNOSTICS HAVE ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS LIKELY DUE TO THE WAY IT IS ROUTED AROUND THE VEHICLE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. RADIATOR AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO GET TO THE SHORT, REQUIRING AN ENTIRE DAY OF DOWN-TIME PLUS…

Read full complaint

1. HORN STOPPED WORKING. DIAGNOSTICS HAVE ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS LIKELY DUE TO THE WAY IT IS ROUTED AROUND THE VEHICLE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. RADIATOR AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO GET TO THE SHORT, REQUIRING AN ENTIRE DAY OF DOWN-TIME PLUS EXTENSIVE HOURLY REPAIR BILL. 2. NON-OPERATING HORN PROHIBITS REQUIRED STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION. VEHICLE FAILS INSPECTION. 3. REPAIRS STILL HAVE TO BE MADE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116527

15,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117448

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

NISSAN SENTRA 2001, PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND BRAKES. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF 2 RECALLS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT CORROSION AND A LOOSE BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED EITHER RECALL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. …

Read full complaint

NISSAN SENTRA 2001, PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND BRAKES. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF 2 RECALLS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT CORROSION AND A LOOSE BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED EITHER RECALL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117175

65,000 miles · Mar 18, 2005
Electrical System

MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA GXE STARTED SPUTTERING IN FEB 05, ALSO AN ELECTRICAL BUZZING SOUND WOULD OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR STALLED OUT ONCE WHILE DRIVING. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE ECM WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE (HIDDEN 8YR/80,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THAT PART). THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING…

Read full complaint

MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA GXE STARTED SPUTTERING IN FEB 05, ALSO AN ELECTRICAL BUZZING SOUND WOULD OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR STALLED OUT ONCE WHILE DRIVING. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE ECM WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE (HIDDEN 8YR/80,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THAT PART). THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE STARTER/ECM SENSOR WAS REPLACED. I'M STILL NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND WORRY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114271

54,230 miles · Feb 21, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 24,2004 I HAD A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND EMC FOAM REMOVAL RECALLS DONE ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. MY VEHICLE HAS TOTALLY SHUT DOWN WITH OUT ANY NOISE OR WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER 2004. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES INVOLVED. I HAD TAKEN MY SENTRA TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC…

Read full complaint

ON JUNE 24,2004 I HAD A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND EMC FOAM REMOVAL RECALLS DONE ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. MY VEHICLE HAS TOTALLY SHUT DOWN WITH OUT ANY NOISE OR WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER 2004. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES INVOLVED. I HAD TAKEN MY SENTRA TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON JAN.31,2005 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES AND THAT IT WAS A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE SO THEY REPLACED IT. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ASAP. THE SERVICE REP THEN TOLD ME HE PUT HIS BEST TECHNICIAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE AND HE FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT POSSITION SENSOR WAS BAD AND IT WAS REPLACED, BUT WHEN I QUESTION THE REP ABOUT THE EMC CODES AGAIN HE TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE MY SENTRA WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE TO DO THIS WITH A RECALLED SENSOR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EMC AND THIS RECALLED SENSOR BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NOTHING WAS DONE BY THE NISSAN DEALER TO ASSURE ME THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10111871

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2005
Unknown Or Other

ONE YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM WENDLE @ THE Y. I FELT AS THOUGH I WAS GETTING A GOOD DEAL ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA, WHICH HAD ACCEPTABLY LOW MILEAGE. *AK I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY CAR REFINANCED WHEN THE FINANCE COMPANY CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH MY LOAN. THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS OB…

Read full complaint

ONE YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM WENDLE @ THE Y. I FELT AS THOUGH I WAS GETTING A GOOD DEAL ON MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA, WHICH HAD ACCEPTABLY LOW MILEAGE. *AK I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY CAR REFINANCED WHEN THE FINANCE COMPANY CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH MY LOAN. THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS OBVIOUS MY NISSAN'S ODOMETER HAD BEEN ROLLED BACK SOMETIME BETWEEN 11/3/03 AND 2/23/04. THE FINANCE COMPANY WAS KIND ENOUGH TO FAX THE THE CARFAX REPORT SHOWING THE SUSPECTED ODOMETER ROLLBACK. WITH EACH OIL CHANGE MY CAR HAS HAD, THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH CARFAX. YOU CAN SEE THE STEADY PROGRESSION UP TO 50,693 MILES ON 11/3/03, YET WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 2/7/04, THE CAR ONLY REGISTERED 31,675 MILES. I CONTACTED SHANE, THE GM AT WENDLE, ON FRIDAY 2/4; HE IMMEDIATELY SKIRTED AROUND THE ISSUE TRYING TO ASSURE ME THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MISTYPED IN THE CARFAX REPORT. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT YOU COULD SEE THE MILEAGE PROGRESSION AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT A MISTYPE. I AM NOW LEFT WITH A CAR THAT I NO LONGER AM HAPPY WITH DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HAS 20,000 MORE MILES THAN I THOUGH AND I CANNOT GET IT REFINANCED. WENDLE IS NOT RESPONDING IN A TIMELY MANNER AND I WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #10110094

31,038 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS AND TOWING DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. (NAR) *PH *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10066595

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.