2000 Nissan Sentra

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 171 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 171

Of the 2000 reports, 20 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling72 reports · 42% of complaints
Owner complaints171Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling72
  2. Electrical system29
  3. Air bags16
  4. Equipment11
  5. Suspension11
  6. Other or unspecified11
  7. Hydraulic10
  8. Service brakes10

Recalls and investigations

  1. Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006

    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."

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Engine and engine coolingDec 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.

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

    Campaign 03V511000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Engine and engine coolingNov 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 03V455000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Electrical system, ignition, moduleNov 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 03V477000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasolineNov 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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 01V357000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. WheelsAug 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.

    SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 01V277000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 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.

    THE BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 01V174000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

16 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Jul 12, 2014, crash

    I WAS SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT WHEN A SUBURBAN WAS SPEEDING AND WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION. HE HIT ME FROM THE BACK WHICH CASED A 4 CAR WRECK. MY TRUNK WAS LITERALLY PUSHED TO MY FRONT SEAT. THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS UNDER THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HIT MY SHOULDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALONG WITH MY NECK AND SHOULDERS. THIS WRECK MADE ME DISABLED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT WASN'T MUCH LEFT OF THE CAR AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT. THE AIR BAGS MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD HAVE SAVED ME FROM THAT HORRIBLE IMPACT. I AM NOW DISABLED FOR LIFE AND MY DOCTOR MENTIONED THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE TAKING THE FORCE OF THE INJURIES. *TR

  2. Air bags, Jan 26, 2012, crash

    I WAS ON A FOUR LANE PUBLIC HIGHWAY AND WAS BOXED INTO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES TO AVOID TRAFFIC. ANOTHER CAR SPED UP AND BOXED ME INTO THE RIGHT LANE. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND DECREASED MY SPEED FROM 45 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. I CRASHED INTO A COMPLETELY STOPPED JEEP CHEROKEE. MY NISSAN SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONTAL DAMAGE AND WOULD LATER BE TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR I RAN INTO WAS A JEEP SO THE BUMPER RAN THROUGH MY ENGINE AND UPWARD. HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER THIS ACTION WOULD HAVE CONTINUED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED MYSELF FROM INJURY WAS THE FACT THAT I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I SUSTAINED THE TYPICAL WHIPLASH AND SORE BACK BUT THANKFULLY WASN'T SEVERELY INJURED IN THE CRASH. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT AS WELL AS TESTIMONY FROM A LOCAL OFFICER WHO INSPECTED THE CRASH THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

  3. Air bags, Jan 11, 2008, crash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, ARMS, AND FINGERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.

  4. Air bags, Jun 3, 2005, crash

    CONSUMER WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND HER VEHICLE WAS DRAGGED 100 FEET AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE DEALER DISASSEMBLED THE DASH TO REPLACE A SENSOR WHICH WAS ON RECALL. *SC *JB

  5. Air bags, Apr 13, 2005, crash

    WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED INTO THE CONSUMER'S LANE AND CRASHED HEAD ON WITH IT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, AND REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HIS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED O BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

  6. Air bags, Oct 12, 2004, crash

    MY SISTER'S CAR IS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA GXE. THE AIR BAG OF THIS CAR IS NOT INFLATE WHEN HER CAR INVOLVED IN THE FRONT END CRASH WHEN SHE TRAVEL AT 40 MPH. I HAVE SOME PICTURES SHOWING HER CAR AFTER ACCIDENT THAT AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED TO LOOK AT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM OR NOT. THANKS, THENHAN. *NM

  7. Air bags, Apr 23, 2004

    MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON FOR OVER A WEEK. THE DEALER TOLD ME BY PHONE TO PULL OVER IF IT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER THE CAR WAS CHECKED, IT TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A " NEW MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR". IT WAS A SATURDAY SO THE SERVICE WRITER COULDN'T REACH NISSAN MOTOR CORP TO SEE IF I HAD TO PAY. I DID CALL NISSAN MOTOR CORP MYSELF BECAUSE THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME TUESDAY THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I HAVE TO PAY. THE REP AT NISSAN MOTOR CORP SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND NTHING WAS SOLVED. SINCE I HAD A COUPON, I DID SAVE OVER $200 BUT STILL HAD TO PAY $534.07 ON A 2000 CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTY FEATURE THAT NISSAN SHOULD NOT OF MADE ME PAY FOR. I DIDN'T PURCHASE THE CAR FROM THIS DEALER.*AK

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 16, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE IDLE PULLEY HAD CAME OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

  9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Feb 28, 2003

    THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS AND ABS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.*JB

  10. Air bags, Aug 15, 2002, crash

    WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

  11. Air bags, Aug 5, 2002, crash

    WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WITHOUT WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

  12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Feb 12, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, WHEELS LOCK UP, ON ONE OCCASION IT CAUSED A REAR END COLLSION, AND DAMAGED VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER REAR END COLLISION. *TT

  13. Air bags, Dec 26, 2001, crash

    I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION ON DECEMBER 14, 2000 IN WHICH NEITHER MY DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE SQUARELY HIT THE REAR OF A PICKUP TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR. DEPITE THIS, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

  14. Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2001, crash

    ENGINE STARTED RACING WHILE GOING 3MPH. CAR JUMPED CURB AND WENT INTO A CEMENT PILLAR AT A STRIP MALL. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

  15. Air bags, Mar 21, 2001, crash

    CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CHAIN REACTION WITH FIVE VEHICLES, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER FROM BEHIND AND SHE WAS FOURTH CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *JB

  16. Air bags, Dec 21, 2000, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH COULD NOT SEE DUE TO SNOW. VEHICLE HIT A SNOW BANK, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK