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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

142 reports
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

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2020
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

HELLO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SHE DEVELOPED SOME DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD AND I BELIEVE A FRACTURE. I AM CONCERNED THAT HER CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE AIRBAG THAT CAUSED THE DEEP C…

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HELLO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SHE DEVELOPED SOME DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD AND I BELIEVE A FRACTURE. I AM CONCERNED THAT HER CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE AIRBAG THAT CAUSED THE DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. I DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTOS RIGHT NOW OR POLICE REPORTS, BUT I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION IF REQUIRED.*DT *TP *JB THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11301501

157,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES AT FIR NOW STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHILE MAKING A TURN AND WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11291599

55,340 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA 2011 WITH AN APPROX SPEED OF 35 MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY HEARD SOME NOISE FROM THE BONNET. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR BUT STILL ABLE TO HEAR SOUND COMING FROM THE ABS MODULE. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE SUGGESTED TO CHECK FOR THE RECALL AS LIGHT FOR VDC,ABS & BRAKE TURNED ON. I CHECKED WITH…

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I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA 2011 WITH AN APPROX SPEED OF 35 MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY HEARD SOME NOISE FROM THE BONNET. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR BUT STILL ABLE TO HEAR SOUND COMING FROM THE ABS MODULE. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE SUGGESTED TO CHECK FOR THE RECALL AS LIGHT FOR VDC,ABS & BRAKE TURNED ON. I CHECKED WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID THEY DONT HAVE ANY INFORMATION WITH MY VIN# FOR ANY RECALL. I AM SURPRISED TO SEE THIS AS THE CAR DIDNT MEET ANY ACCIDENT WHEN ALL THIS HAPPEN. NISSAN AUTHORISED CENTER DID DIAGNOSTIC AFTER CHARGING $244 JUST TO COME OUT THAT ABS ACTUATOR(47660-9AA1A) NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL FURTHER COST ME ABOUT $1900. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO COVER UP THIS COST AS THIS SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE UNDER A CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11268025

56,000 miles · Sep 27, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesStructureCrashInjury

ON SUNDAY, SEPT 22 2019 AT AROUND 1:40PM WE WERE HEADED HOME FROM AN VACATION AT A CABIN RENTAL PROPERTY IN SEVIERVILLE, TN. NOT EVEN QUARTER MILE FROM OUR CABIN ON A STRAIGHT AND DOWN HILL ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I APPLIED BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP AND IN ORDER TO AVOID A SMALL …

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ON SUNDAY, SEPT 22 2019 AT AROUND 1:40PM WE WERE HEADED HOME FROM AN VACATION AT A CABIN RENTAL PROPERTY IN SEVIERVILLE, TN. NOT EVEN QUARTER MILE FROM OUR CABIN ON A STRAIGHT AND DOWN HILL ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I APPLIED BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP AND IN ORDER TO AVOID A SMALL POND ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AND THE CAR IN FRONT I HAD TO DIVERT MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS I HIT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BUSTED AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED FURTHER AT THE UP HILL. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BRAKES FAILED AND/OR THE ABS AND/OR THE ONBOARD COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. I DID SEE ABS AND VDC LIGHTS SIGN COMING ON THE DASHBOARD FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS BEFORE DISAPPEARING ON ITS OWN. ALSO SINCE THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE SIGN HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE TIRE PRESSURE SIGNS BLINKS FOR A LITTLE WHILE EVERY TIME START THE CAR AND THEN GETS STEADY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AS I STILL CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW WOULD THE CAR DO NOTHING EVEN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES SO MANY TIMES. WITH AN 2011 MODEL AND ONLY 56000 MILES ON IT I WOULD NEVER EXPECT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. SO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS WE HAVE AN TWO YEAR OLD WHO WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT & MY WIFE GOT AN MINOR INJURY TO HER LEFT ELBOW. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO NISSAN BY CALLING 800-647-7261 ON SEPT 24 2019 AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM SINCE THAN.

NHTSA ODI #11258642

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

115,000 miles · Jul 11, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

ON JUNE 18 2019 I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE BELT LINE IN MADISON, WI. WITH MY NEWBORN DAUGHTER. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED LURCHING, I HAD NO CONTROL. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING IN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES WERE HARD AND IF I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT STARTED LURCHING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULLOVER …

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ON JUNE 18 2019 I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE BELT LINE IN MADISON, WI. WITH MY NEWBORN DAUGHTER. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED LURCHING, I HAD NO CONTROL. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING IN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES WERE HARD AND IF I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT STARTED LURCHING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULLOVER AND NOTICED THE VOC LIGHT WAS ON. I PUSHED THE VOC BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF. BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I CALLED MY FATHER LARRY. HE TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR WAIT A MINUTE. TURN IT BACK ON. TO SEE IF THE VOC WOULD RESET. IT DID RESET. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES I TAKEN MY CAR INTO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR INSPECTION. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE. HOWEVER MY CAR DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL. WHY? IT AFFECTS STEERING (LACK OF) BRAKES (NON EXISTENT) GAS (CAUSES LURCHING). VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME & MY NEWBORN. NOT TO MENTION THOSE AROUND ME. MY CAR HAS 115,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11231018

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.