Model year record

2001 Nissan Sentra recalls & problems

The 2001 Nissan Sentra has 8 safety recalls and 236 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (98 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints236filed by owners

Crashes · fires20 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints

2001 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 13, 2006

Headlights

Recall 06E023000292,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Engine and engine coolingDec 10, 2003

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 03V51100070 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 03V455000630,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemNov 14, 2003

Ignition › Module

Recall 03V477000276,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingDec 12, 2001

Headlights

Recall 01V37600081,393 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingNov 16, 2001

Engine › Gasoline

Recall 01V357000103,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

WheelsAug 29, 2001

Wheels

Recall 01V277000115,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionMay 23, 2001

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 01V174000101,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2001 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sentra

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Sentra

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Sentra

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Sentra

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	98	4	1	1	54,230 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Wiring › Front underhood	48	0	1	0	65,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	22	6	0	2	30,000 mi
TiresTread/belt	18	0	0	0	40,041 mi
Engine	16	0	0	0	109,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front	15	3	0	3	17,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	12	2	0	0	36,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	11	7	0	10	76,730 mi
Power trainClutch assembly; Automatic transmission	11	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim	10	4	0	2	45,102 mi
StructureBody › Bumpers; Body	9	5	0	2	78,185 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Column locking › Anti-theft device	8	2	0	0	34,656 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
Well thankfully it did not happened while driving i stopped it one day to replace the engine (a lil more info i am a mobile mechanic registered with the state of CA) with some year make and model and sub model i finish replacing and next thing later i have no spark i did my diagnostics check wiring fuses relays sensors and still no spark i qent to carfax and notice it as 2 recalls related to my no spark issue regading ckp sensor and cmp sensors and the other recall about a internal problem with ecm i tried calling dealership they know its a incomplete repair but seems like they dont want fix or do something about it now i do need my car to go and repair my customers vehicles and my car dont…
Jul 12, 2026
Electrical system
I have '01 Nissan Sentra. Over the years I kept having my car auto shut off while driving. My recent incident occurs on 2/17/22 while driving on a freeway at 70mph that left me stranded. I had it towed to the nearest auto mechanics. While the engines shuts down, the Service Engine Soon light came on followed by the Battery Icon and Oil Lamp Icon. In the past I had most if not all my catalytic converters and O2 sensors replaced but the problem persisted. Some mechanics stated it was electrical but offered no solution. I did had an oil changed and battery tested a week earlier but no issue was found. My most recent mechanic checked it out and told me it's not the battery nor the alternator,…
Feb 17, 2022
Structure › Body
I was driving on interstate and car stopped while driving almost causing me to not be able to get out of way of traffic
Sep 16, 2021
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN REMAINED LIT. MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, CHECKED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES, AND INDICATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NO CRANK TO START CONDITION, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 01V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED WAS THE SAME AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE DEALER WAS NOT…
Aug 1, 2002
Engine
WHEN I AM AT A STOP FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR VIBRATES THEN SHUTS OFF.
Oct 4, 2017 · 6,100 miles
Engine
GAS PEDAL STICKS AT IDLE THAT HAVE TO PRESS HARD TO GET MOVING G AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD ONCE THE PEDAL IS UNSTUCK. HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS WAITING FOR GREEN SIGNAL OR STOP SIGNS.
Sep 19, 2017 · 88,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. *CN
Feb 21, 2017 · 164,000 miles
Engine
THE CAR IS JERKING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ONE AND THE PLACE WHERE I TOOK IT SHOW A RECALL OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR ISSUE. I PUT IN MY VIN ON YOUR SITE AND IT SAID THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT YES ITS SHOWING UP. WHAT IS NEED TO BE DONE TO GET THIS CORRECTED BY NISSAN? *TR
Dec 26, 2016

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.