← 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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

22 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING ON WET ROAD CONDITION VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8005809

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AFTER FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS EASILY MANAGED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR AND CARBON BUILD-UP WAS FOUND ON THE THROTTLE AND CLEANED UP. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS MORE DRAMATIC. I WAS ACCELERATING QUICKLY (4000+ RPM) FROM A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. CA…

Read full complaint

CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AFTER FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS EASILY MANAGED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR AND CARBON BUILD-UP WAS FOUND ON THE THROTTLE AND CLEANED UP. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS MORE DRAMATIC. I WAS ACCELERATING QUICKLY (4000+ RPM) FROM A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT 4000+ RPM. BRAKING HARD DID NOT STOP THE CAR, NOR DID IT STOP THE CONTINUED ACCELERATION. HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT 4000+ RPM, UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. BROUGHT TO NISSAN SERVICE. THEY CHECKED THROTTLE PLATE AND CABLE BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM, AND CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED IN THE WEEK SINCE, BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. SHOULD THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAVE BEEN FIXED WITH OUT CHARGE? WHAT CAN I DO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ME, AND COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY IF ONE OF MY KIDS HAD BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #758859

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO REDUCE SPEED OR TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION ON TIME, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003372

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I REPORTED TO SERVICE MANAGER-ZEEK, SHEEHY NISSAN ANNAPOLIS, THAT THE CAR HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE UPON BRAKING, TO THE POINT OF JERKING TO A STOP, AND EVEN SLIDING AT LOW SPEEDS BELOW 40MPH. NO PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE SHOES, AND TURNED ROTORS. I NOTICED LATELY THAT WHEN I BRAKE, I HEAR THIS DRY SOUND COMING F…

Read full complaint

I REPORTED TO SERVICE MANAGER-ZEEK, SHEEHY NISSAN ANNAPOLIS, THAT THE CAR HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE UPON BRAKING, TO THE POINT OF JERKING TO A STOP, AND EVEN SLIDING AT LOW SPEEDS BELOW 40MPH. NO PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE SHOES, AND TURNED ROTORS. I NOTICED LATELY THAT WHEN I BRAKE, I HEAR THIS DRY SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I INTEND TO REPORT IT ALONG WITH THE ENGINE BELT SQUEAKING SOUNDS THIS WEEKEND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757296

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2002
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

HEADREST WILL NOT STAY IN DOWN POSITION, IT KEEPS RISING UP, BLOCKING CONSUMER'S VIEW ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001518

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrash

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN TURNING BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER HIT CURVE AND DROVE OVER IT. CONSUMER WAS COMPARING THE SITUATION WITH THE RECALL 01 V 174 000. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. AK

NHTSA ODI #899327

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TRAVELING AT 25-35 MPH BRAKES LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #898726

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES LOCK UP AT 20-35 MPH UNDER NORMAL BREAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSTANT WHINE FROM FRONT LEFT SIDE. FRONT LEFT ROTOR TURNED ONCE DUE TO PULSATING PEDAL. PULSATING HAS RETURNED ALONG WITH "SHIMMY" IN STEERING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. FRONT TIRES SEEM TO BE WEARING AT ACCELERATED RATE. APPT # 2 SET WITH DEALER. *…

Read full complaint

BRAKES LOCK UP AT 20-35 MPH UNDER NORMAL BREAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSTANT WHINE FROM FRONT LEFT SIDE. FRONT LEFT ROTOR TURNED ONCE DUE TO PULSATING PEDAL. PULSATING HAS RETURNED ALONG WITH "SHIMMY" IN STEERING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. FRONT TIRES SEEM TO BE WEARING AT ACCELERATED RATE. APPT # 2 SET WITH DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751482

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKES LOCKED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, RESULTING IN AN UNNECCESARY CRASH DUE TO VEHICLE SKIDING. THE DISTANCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLEANTY TO EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #751398

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES CONTINUED TO LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. DEALERSHIP FOUND ROTORS WERE WARPED AND TURNED THEM, REDUCING FAILURE RATE. AS A RESULT TIRES HAVE FLAT SPOTS AND ARE DAMAGED. DEALERSHIP/NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749672

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.