IllustrationVEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 30000 MILES HAS SEVERE BRAKING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, REQUIRING SIGNFICANT AND COSTLY REPAIRS. APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH 2001 SENTRA.*AK
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
22 reportsWHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
MY ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPHS ON THE FREEWAY, THE VERY DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR YET ANOTHER DEFECT SENSOR. IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT CRASH AND KILL ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN, I HAVE REQUESTED IT BE CHECKED FOR A SHORT IN THE WIRING. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD …
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MY ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPHS ON THE FREEWAY, THE VERY DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR YET ANOTHER DEFECT SENSOR. IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT CRASH AND KILL ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN, I HAVE REQUESTED IT BE CHECKED FOR A SHORT IN THE WIRING. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NO. I LATER LEARNED THAR MEANT IF IT DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER, THEN THEY WOULDN'T LOOK FOR IT SPECIFICALLY. FOLLOWING THE LATEST HAZARD, I GOT IN NISSAN'S FACE. NISSAN FOUND A DEFECT OXYGEN SENSOR THIS TIME. UPON RETESTING THE VEHICLE, THE EMC (THE BRAIN OF THE VEHICLE) WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. I WAS ALSO TOLD HAD I DRIVEN THE CAR ANY LONGER, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD HAVE BLOWN TOO. WELL, THAT EXPLAINS ALL THE LOUSY GAS MILEAGE THIS PAST YEAR. SO, HERE IT IS A WEEK LATER AND MY VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE SHOP WITH A BACK ORDERED EMC WITH NO AVAILABLE STOCK DATE IN SIGHT. I AM RENTING A VEHICLE AND AM RECEIVING VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN AS TO GETTING A RENTAL VEHICLE IN THE MEANTIME. I AM QUITE CONCERNED I HAVE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SPANKING YELLOW LEMON. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THIS VEHICLE, EVEN WITH A NEW EMC, WILL PRODUCE OTHER DEFECTIVE SENSORS ONCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR FROM THE OLD ONE. THERE ARE 45 SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 5-10 HAVE BLOWN SO FAR. I AM QUITE CERTAIN OTHERS ARE CLOSE TO FAILURE TOO. I AM JUST AS CONCERNED WHEN BOTH THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AS SO MANY VEHICLES HAVE ENDURED THIS PROBLME, THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED.
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. BEFORE TOTAL SHUT DOWN STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO IN TURN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHI…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. BEFORE TOTAL SHUT DOWN STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO IN TURN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT NOT FOR CONSUMER'S VIN NUMBER. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE BRAKE WORE QUICKLY WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2001 SENTRA. STEERING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTER. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. CRUNCHING NOISE FROM SHOCKS/STRUTS WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR WHEN EXITING DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD (UNEVEN PAVEMENT). WORSE WHEN COLD. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. BRAKES MAKE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. WORSE WHEN COLD. …
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MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2001 SENTRA. STEERING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTER. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. CRUNCHING NOISE FROM SHOCKS/STRUTS WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR WHEN EXITING DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD (UNEVEN PAVEMENT). WORSE WHEN COLD. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. BRAKES MAKE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. WORSE WHEN COLD. CAR HAS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE - TIGHT/DIFFICULT STEERING AND NOISY SUSPENSION. DRIVES LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD CHEVY INSTEAD OF A 2 YEAR OLD JAPANESE CAR. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY HONDA!!!*JB
THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING UP AND A POSSIBILITY OF NO FRONT BRAKES. SCC PH
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES TO THE VEHICLE WERE NOT WORKING ,CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHCILE. PH
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES, WITH THE CAR GOING INTO A SLIDE /SKID AND ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR, GOING AT A SLOW RATE. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS TOLD ON A COUPLE OF OCC. THAT IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY. THEY SAID THEY DROVE IT AND COULD N…
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I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES, WITH THE CAR GOING INTO A SLIDE /SKID AND ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR, GOING AT A SLOW RATE. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS TOLD ON A COUPLE OF OCC. THAT IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY. THEY SAID THEY DROVE IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY FOUND THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SAID IT RELATED TO THE CALIBERS ON THE BRAKES. WHAT CAN I DO FOR A COMPLAINT TO NISSAN FOR THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE SITUATION? CAN I TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THEM? DT
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES FAILED, ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *SLC
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.