The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 2 safety recalls and 142 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (34 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints142filed by owners
Crashes · fires19 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths14 · 0reported in complaints
2011 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 11V579000 · Dec 15, 2011 · 33,803 vehicles
Problem: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
Risk: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 10V555000 · Nov 12, 2010 · 13,737 vehicles
Problem: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
Risk: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY 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
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2011 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
11.6%
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
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Sentra
26mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Sentra
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Sentra
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/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*
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables; 12v/24v/48v battery
34
0
3
0
81,012 mi
Engine
30
3
3
3
75,500 mi
Air bags
20
9
0
6
65,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
19
0
0
0
91,729 mi
Unknown or other
18
1
0
3
103,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
17
1
1
1
88,604 mi
Steering
8
0
0
0
75,500 mi
Service brakes
8
2
0
1
20,000 mi
Structure Body
7
5
0
4
47,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
6
0
0
0
83,729 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
6
1
1
0
96,945 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Pedals and linkages
5
1
0
1
10,100 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 13, 2026 · 107,000 milesElectrical system The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that several days later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that a heavy voltage overload had caused a hole in the ECM. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
May 17, 2025Engine I purchased a Nissan vehicle that was represented as reliable and safe. Considering Iâm a single mother also still young enough to wanna live not be on the highway and have my car declined speed and a tractor trailer almost hit me like thatâs already happened. This is a known problem. Yeah I canât get any help However, the vehicle has ongoing transmission problems that significantly impact its drivability and safety. Upon reviewing the paperwork, I discovered the vehicle was previously with a salvage company, a fact that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. This lack of transparency is unacceptable and has caused me considerable distress and unexpected repair costs. I am…
May 16, 2025Engine To Whom It May Concern, Iâm writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with Nissan over the CVT failure in my 2011 Nissan Sentra. There are no active recalls listed for my vehicle, yet Iâm experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reportedâjerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check engine codes P1778 and P0776. I purchased this car 3â4 months ago as a single mother trying to rebuild my life. I chose this vehicle specifically because I thought it would be a dependable, affordable option to get back on my feet. Instead, Iâm now stuck with a car thatâs barely driveable, a dangerous transmission, and no support. It feels like punishment…
Oct 4, 2024Engine I was driving at low speed 20 mph , stopped at the stop sign , when I pressed acceleration the vehicle did not respond . I checked Dash and I could see all engine warnings light up. I switched off the vehicle and started again it started back with no issues and started running again. The vehicle sounds normal .there was no engine related warnings afterwards.
Jul 4, 2024Engine I was in the highway at about 60 mph and the air bag light came on also the check engine light and I heard a sound and my car lost power I was able to get to the side lane then when it stopped all the way I started the car but would not go pass 30 mph and would barely go on reverse took it to mechanic they said it was the transmission tried to charge me $ 4,700 havenât drove it since
Jul 2, 2024Air bags Getting a airbag control module open code.
Jul 6, 2023Unknown or other I am having issues with registering car due to failed emissions for the Mass Air Flow Sensor as well as the CVT light that comes on while driving. The CVT light pops on out of no where which makes the car shake and not want to move too well. To be driving on freeway and have this happen would be very dangerous if not fatal.
Mar 1, 2023 · 160,000 milesEngine The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
