IllustrationCONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SUN WAS SHINING FUEL TANK MADE A SIZZLING SOUND. AS A RESULT, FUEL FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK OCCURRED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS AT 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. *LA
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
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
150–25K
3325–50K
2850–75K
1975–100K
15100–150K
11150K+
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 reports3 OF 7 RECALL NOTICES RELATED TO ENGINE SESNORS OTHERS RELATED TO WHEEL REPLACEMENT;AND FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS ENGINE LIGHT ELUMINATED PRIOR TO 3RD ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICE; DIAGNOSTIC DONE; 3 WEEKS KLATER ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED AND SMOKED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT, NEAR COLLISSION; 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TOWE…
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3 OF 7 RECALL NOTICES RELATED TO ENGINE SESNORS OTHERS RELATED TO WHEEL REPLACEMENT;AND FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS ENGINE LIGHT ELUMINATED PRIOR TO 3RD ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICE; DIAGNOSTIC DONE; 3 WEEKS KLATER ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED AND SMOKED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT, NEAR COLLISSION; 2001 NISSAN SENTRA TOWED TO DEALER; $485.00 ENGINE COIL ASSEMBLY MAINTENENACE DONE; 2 MILES OFF LOT ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN; NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS NEEDED BECAUSE THEY SAY THE ENGINE REPAIRS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR RECALL NOTICES. THEY SAY THE REPEATED PURCHASE OF TIRES ARE ALSO NOT CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL REPLACEMENT RECALL FOR WHICH THE WHEELS WERE NOT UPON THEIR INSPECTION. ISSUE IS WHEELS ARE SEPARATING AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO FAIL AND I KEEP SPENDING MONEY IN THE HOPES A 21 YEAR OLD CAN DRIVE SAFELY.*AK
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. PRIOR TO HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE MY CAR HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF (IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 40K MILES). NOW MY CAR STALLS EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO STOP. IF I HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAV…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. PRIOR TO HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE MY CAR HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF (IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 40K MILES). NOW MY CAR STALLS EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO STOP. IF I HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART MY CAR. SINCE I HAVE A CLUTCH I CAN POP THE CLUTCH TO RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE I AM STILL DRIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS NOT ON DUE TO THE RECALL BUT BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON, BUT MY CAR STALLS CONSISTENTLY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. I THOUGHT THEY WERE RELIABLE CARS. BUT AFTER HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON.
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM W/ 2001 NISSAN SENTRA GXE, NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THEM BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX TRIPS TO NISSAN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED A KNEW TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FO…
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TRANSMISSION PROBLEM W/ 2001 NISSAN SENTRA GXE, NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THEM BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX TRIPS TO NISSAN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED A KNEW TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT. WHAT CAN I DO? *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK OTHER FAILED PARTS WERE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ELECT…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK OTHER FAILED PARTS WERE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ELECTRICAL COIL, AND THE CRANK SENSOR. *SC *JB
MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA SE 2.0 LITRE IS IN THE HABIT OF "DYING" WHILE TRAVELING. IF THERE WERE NO SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO AND RESTART THE CAR A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION WOULD OCCUR. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WILL REIMBURSE ME IF THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE RECEIVES A RECALL LIKE THE 1.8 AND 2.5 LITER ENGINES DID FOR THE …
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MY 2001 NISSAN SENTRA SE 2.0 LITRE IS IN THE HABIT OF "DYING" WHILE TRAVELING. IF THERE WERE NO SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO AND RESTART THE CAR A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION WOULD OCCUR. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WILL REIMBURSE ME IF THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE RECEIVES A RECALL LIKE THE 1.8 AND 2.5 LITER ENGINES DID FOR THE SAME SCENARIO. WHAT GIVES? *JB
THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. *PH THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TWO AFTER THE INCIDENT REGARDING AN ENGINE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. …
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THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. *PH THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TWO AFTER THE INCIDENT REGARDING AN ENGINE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE WERE RELATED TO RECALL 03V455000 AND 03V477000. *JB
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V477000 CONCERNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ( EMC) MATERIAL: VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN NOT WORKING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
NEW IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED ON A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA!*AK
Official recalls
703V511000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.