← 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

Steering complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
24,312 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE. SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED, SHE HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 18, 2007, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NO LEAK WAS FOUND. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2007,…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE. SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED, SHE HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 18, 2007, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NO LEAK WAS FOUND. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT WHEEL ALIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,312 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,613. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10203800

56,200 miles · Jun 11, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

HELLO, I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3.5 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME IT'S HAD AT LEAST 4-5 RECALLS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK IT IN FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CASE HOLDER RECALL IN EARLY MARCH. THIS RECALL WAS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ABOUT TWO MONTHS L…

Read full complaint

HELLO, I OWN A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3.5 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME IT'S HAD AT LEAST 4-5 RECALLS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK IT IN FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CASE HOLDER RECALL IN EARLY MARCH. THIS RECALL WAS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, I WAS ON THE ROAD SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I THOUGH THAT MAYBE I HAD IT IN GEAR AND I JUST RELEASED THE CLUTCH ON ACCIDENT, BUT IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON THAT TRIP. NOW I CONSTANSTLY HAVE THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN SITTING IN IDLE. IT HAS HAPPENED DURING TURNS IN WHICH IT MADE IT VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AS THE POWER STEERING IS CUT OFF. I DID TAKE THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD AIR FLOW METER. I DECLINED TO HAVE IT FIXED AS I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND REQUESTED THEY FIX MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER THEY DECLINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075221

45,000 miles · Oct 2, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10042193

17,500 miles · May 6, 2003
SteeringSuspension

THE STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE WHILE MAKING A TURN WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CURB. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASION BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10017841

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

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. …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10013575

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ENGINE CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING .*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016575

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
SteeringCrash

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH APPLIED BRAKES ON A WET CONDITION ROAD LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFAXCTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891319

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
SteeringCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND WAS IN PROCESS OF PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE , CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890844

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.