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2011 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

116 reports with mileage · 26 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports6 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

34 reports
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107,000 miles · Jul 13, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the resi…

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The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that several days later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that a heavy voltage overload had caused a hole in the ECM. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that an unknown recall with a similar failure was performed in 2012. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #11749986

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE CAR CHARGER REFUSES TO ADHERE TO A CAR CHARGER THAT CAME AS AN ACCESSORY WITH A CELL PHONE PACKAGE.BUT MY PHONE CAR CHARGER WORKS FOR ANY OTHER RANDOM C- CHARGER THAT MY CELL PHONES USES

NHTSA ODI #11344231

93,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM READING I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY VDC OFF LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND MY CAR WILL START JERKING AND HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING, I THEN HAVE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW, THIS LUCKILY HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME IN THE CITY AS AFTER…

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LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM READING I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY VDC OFF LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND MY CAR WILL START JERKING AND HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING, I THEN HAVE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW, THIS LUCKILY HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME IN THE CITY AS AFTER IT HAPPENED I WAS TOO WORRIED TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. WITH THIS MANY ISSUES/COMPLAINTS NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE

NHTSA ODI #11316207

138,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2016, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER (APPROXIMATELY 60,000-70,000 MILES) WHEN TEMP DROPPED BELOW 55 DEGREES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, CODE READ P0101. FIND NISSAN HAS POSTED A BULLETIN ON THIS.FOLLOWED ALL GUIDELINES. HE CLEANED THE MAF SENSOR. LIGHT WENT OFF. NEXT, DAY LIGHT COMES BACK ON. G…

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PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2016, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER (APPROXIMATELY 60,000-70,000 MILES) WHEN TEMP DROPPED BELOW 55 DEGREES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, CODE READ P0101. FIND NISSAN HAS POSTED A BULLETIN ON THIS.FOLLOWED ALL GUIDELINES. HE CLEANED THE MAF SENSOR. LIGHT WENT OFF. NEXT, DAY LIGHT COMES BACK ON. GO BACK, HAVE SENSOR REPLACED. LIGHT COMES BACK ON. CHECKS FOR VACUUM LEAKS, CHANGE AIR FILTER BLOW OUT AIR BOX AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. LIGHT STILL ON. TAKE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSIS EVERY FEW MONTHS TO ENSURE ITS STILL THE SAME THING AND NOTHING ELSE. NO PROBLEM WITH CARS DRIVABILITY. FAST FORWARD TO 2019, VDC/ ABS LIGHTS COME ON. CALL NISSAN, TELL ME THEY CANT HELP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NISAN HAS POSTED BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES FOR REPAIRS VIA THEIR BULLETIN, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE $700 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. LIGHTS GO OFF. BUT THAT STARTED A NEW ISSUE. MY VDC/ABS LIGHTS WILL SPONTANEOUSLY COME ON CAUSING MY CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-30MPH (OR 2,500 RPM) CAUSING ME TO STOP DEAD IN TRAFFIC, PARK THE CAR, TAKE THE KEY OUT (IT MUST BE OUT!), WAIT A FEW SECONDS, TURN IT BACK ON. FAST FORWARD TO THIS WEEK (3/2/20) MY CAR STALLS OUT GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN TO SEMIS. EVERYTHING JUST SHUTS DOWN. I LITERALLY ALMOST DIED. CALL NISSAN AND THEY TELL ME, MY CAR ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL, OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, NOTHING WE CAN DO. GO TO NISSAN DEALER. THEY WANT TO CHARGE $150 TO DIAGNOSE. SO I WENT ELSEWHERE, GOT IT DIAGNOSED FOR FREE HAD MAF CLEANED, NEW AIR FILTER, CODES RESET. LIGHT GOES OFF. DRIVING HOME, CAR STALLS AGAIN AT 70 MPH. NO LIGHTS ON DASH. HAVE CODES READ IMMEDIATELY, NO CODES. NOTHING. WAKE UP, DRIVE TO SCHOOL, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, IMMEDIATELY STALLS ON HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY HAVE DOES READ: THREE P0101 CODES IN ROW. I LITERALLY FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.

NHTSA ODI #11316169

128,000 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES - NISSAN SENTRA 2011 - MY CAR WAS RUNNING WELL FOR ALL THESE YEARS, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, BUT ONE DAY, DIDN'T WANT TO START, IT DIDN'T MAKE NO NOISE, NOTHING. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE BATTERY RIGHT AWAY, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LOOSE AND HE ADJUSTED IT. THE CAR WANTED TO START BUT NEVER DID COMPLETELY…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES - NISSAN SENTRA 2011 - MY CAR WAS RUNNING WELL FOR ALL THESE YEARS, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, BUT ONE DAY, DIDN'T WANT TO START, IT DIDN'T MAKE NO NOISE, NOTHING. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE BATTERY RIGHT AWAY, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LOOSE AND HE ADJUSTED IT. THE CAR WANTED TO START BUT NEVER DID COMPLETELY. THE TOW GUY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE KEY WAS DEPROGRAMMED SO WE WERE HOPING IT WAS JUST THAT. SO WE TOWED THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. IT COSTED MORE THAN $2,000 DOLLARS TO GET IF FIXED. SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN SENTRA'S 2010-2011 HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THE ARTICLE SAYS: (DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR! WE TALKED TO THE NISSAN MANAGER ABOUT IT, BUT HE DIDN'T HONOR THE RECALL, SINCE MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE THIS RECALL WHEN I APPLY THE VIN#. HE GAVE US A PHONE # TO CALL: 1800 NISSAN1, SO I HOPE THEY CAN REIMBURSE THE MONEY WE PAID FOR IT. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS, REPORT IT, SO THEY CAN SEE THERE IS MORE VEHICLES AFFECTED THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11310711

79,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY INTERSTATE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I PUT FOOT ON GAS. I WAS ALONE AND IT WAS DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I WAS SO SCARED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SAW A VDC LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I CHECKED THE DASHBOARD AND SAW THE VDC BUTTON …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY INTERSTATE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I PUT FOOT ON GAS. I WAS ALONE AND IT WAS DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I WAS SO SCARED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SAW A VDC LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I CHECKED THE DASHBOARD AND SAW THE VDC BUTTON AND TRIED PRESSING IT AND NOTHING HELPED. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER, VERY UPSET, I LOOKED ONLINE ON MY PHONE AND SOMEONE RECOMMENDED TO TURN CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTART IT. THAT SEEMED TO HELP SO I WENT ON MY WAY. I SEE MANY OTHERS SAYING THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. MAYBE THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO AND POSSIBLY A RECALL ON IT.2018

NHTSA ODI #11308397

72,000 miles · Sep 2, 2019
Electrical System

"TAKATA RECALL", CAR HAS DAYS WHERE IT WON'T START DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM MODULE. I BOUGHT THE CAR LIKE THAT AND WHEN IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND WE SWITCHED OUT THE BATTERY, HOWEVER A MONTH LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL THAT MAY EFFECT THE ECM ON SO…

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"TAKATA RECALL", CAR HAS DAYS WHERE IT WON'T START DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM MODULE. I BOUGHT THE CAR LIKE THAT AND WHEN IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND WE SWITCHED OUT THE BATTERY, HOWEVER A MONTH LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL THAT MAY EFFECT THE ECM ON SOME MODERN VEHICLES, HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY SAID BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE ISN'T AFFECTED. MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL STATES, SO I BELIEVE THAT MY VIN NUMBER NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ODI #11252735

116,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

ALL IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS ARE FAILING AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. $700 WAS PAID BACK ON MAY 20, 2019 TO REPLACE ALL COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ENGINE MISFIRED AGAIN THE OTHER DAY AND SAME ISSUE DIAGNOSED WITH COIL/PLUG FAILURE! THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE ADDRESSED WITHIN ENGINE AS SOMETHING…

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ALL IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS ARE FAILING AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. $700 WAS PAID BACK ON MAY 20, 2019 TO REPLACE ALL COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ENGINE MISFIRED AGAIN THE OTHER DAY AND SAME ISSUE DIAGNOSED WITH COIL/PLUG FAILURE! THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE ADDRESSED WITHIN ENGINE AS SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE COILS TO CONTINUALLY MISFIRE! MY CAR WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT THE OTHER DAY ON SUNDAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BUCK WILDLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11243450

120,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL DATABASE AND IT DID NOT COME BACK AS BEING ONE OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL: ENGINE STALLING AND HAVING TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; NO POWER TO ENGINE WHEN STEPPING ON GAS WHILE IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN OKAY ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WILL OFTEN CUT O…

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WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL DATABASE AND IT DID NOT COME BACK AS BEING ONE OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL: ENGINE STALLING AND HAVING TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; NO POWER TO ENGINE WHEN STEPPING ON GAS WHILE IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN OKAY ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WILL OFTEN CUT OUT WHEN DRIVING IN CITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN STARTING BACK FROM A START OR ROLLING START. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WITH NO PREDICTABILITY OTHER THAN HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11240882

114,491 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Electrical System

FAN IS RUNNING INSIDE CAR BLOWING OUT HOT AIR DESPITE THE DIAL BEING TURNED TO OFF. NOW WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, THERE'S A STRONG BURNING SMELL EMITTING FROM THE INSIDE OF CAR. WHEN THE FAN TURNED ON FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AGAIN TODAY WHEN THE BURNING SMELL STARTED…

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FAN IS RUNNING INSIDE CAR BLOWING OUT HOT AIR DESPITE THE DIAL BEING TURNED TO OFF. NOW WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, THERE'S A STRONG BURNING SMELL EMITTING FROM THE INSIDE OF CAR. WHEN THE FAN TURNED ON FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AGAIN TODAY WHEN THE BURNING SMELL STARTED AS WELL. NOW WHEN I GO TO TURN CAR ON, IT IS HAVING ISSUES STARTING.

NHTSA ODI #11228413

Official recalls

2

11V579000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Dec 15, 2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V555000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 12, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY 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.