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.
Of the 2000 reports, 20 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: equipment
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Equipment, Jun 7, 2010
I HAVE A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA AND TWICE NOW THE "PLASTIC DIP STICK HANDLE" HAS BROKEN OFF WHEN A MECHANIC PULLED IT OUT TO CHANGE THE OIL... THEY COULDN'T GET IT OUT AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER... WHO CHARGES AN OUTRAGEOUS PRICE TO GET IT OUT AND REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC HANDLED DIP STICK THAT BROKE, AGAIN...... WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND PUT A PLASTIC HANDLE ON A METAL DIP STICK? HOW STUPID. THE ENGINE HEATS UP AND COOLS AND PLASTIC UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS WILL BECOME BRITTLE.. I'D RATHER USE A POT HOLDER TO PULL OUT A UNIFORM "METAL" HANDLE PART OF A SOLID METAL STICK THAN HAVE IT BREAK ALL THE TIME WITH A PLASTIC HANDLE. JUST LIKE THAT BP OIL SPILL... ENGINEERS COMPLICATE THINGS WHEN THE SOLUTION IS SO SIMPLE .... PLEASE, HAVE NISSAN RECALL THIS STUPID PLASTIC HANDLED DIP STICK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALL METAL ONE,.... I'LL SUPPLY THE POT HOLDER OR RAG TO PULL OUT THE HOT DIP STICK MADE OF METAL.... THANK YOU! *TR
Equipment, Feb 21, 2008
2000 NISSAN SENTRA- MANY CONSUMERS WITH 2000/2001 SENTRAS COMPLAINING ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS. CAR STALLING- SHUTTING OFF WHEN CAR IS SLOWING DOWN. RPM IS AT 4000 AND DROPS TO 0 IMMEDIATELY AND CAR SHUTS OFF. SO FAR, WE\'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE\'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE (CAR IS BASICALLY OPERATING IN NEUTRAL AT THIS POINT). WE HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN ON THE IGNITION AGAIN. WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NISSAN COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THEY SAID THEIR COMPUTERS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED US THE LABOR CHARGE ANYWAY EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING. NOW THE WARRANTY IS OVER AND MY PERSONAL MECHANIC JUST FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME WITH ANOTHER NISSAN OWNER. IT IS THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE WHICH NEEDS THE COMPUTER TO BE CHANGED AS WELL IN ORDER TO WORK. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY NISSAN SINCE IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT BUT THEY WON\'T BECAUSE WE DON\'T HAVE WARRANTY ANYMORE. WE CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THE CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE DRIVING THESE CARS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. IF YOU READ THE FORUMS, THERE ARE MANY NISSAN SENTRA OWNERS IN THE SAME BOAT. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Equipment, Jun 4, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE SERVICE DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHY THE VEHICLE STALLED SO HE CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT START EVEN AFTER A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ECM MODULE WAS THE PROBLEM. RECALL# 03V477000. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, THE A/C, HORN, AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. RECALL# 01V174000 . THE CONSUMER ALSO LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. *SC THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Structure, Wheels, Equipment, Oct 12, 2003
VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BUT NONE OF THEM WERE SUCCESSFUL. *AK NOISE CAME FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL WHEELS PER A SAFETY CAMPAIGN. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR PAD BUT THAT DIDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER SECURED IT. THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER SPECIAL ORDER A NEW RADIO. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE FROM THE MAIN SWITCH. *PH *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2003
I AM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR JIFFY LUBE INTERNATIONAL AND I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A DEFECT CONCERN REGARDING ENGINE OIL LEVEL DIPSTICK FAILURES. SINCE NOVEMBER 2002 TO PRESENT, JIFFY LUBE INTERNATIONAL HAS SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 13 (TO CURRENT COUNT-POSSIBLY MORE-CURRENTLY RESEARCHING FOR EXACT NUMBER) 2000-2001 NISSAN SENTRAS W/1.8L ENGINES RANGING FROM 23,000 - 55,000 MILES IN WHICH THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL DIPSTICK HANDLE BECAME SEPERATED FROM THE METAL INDICATOR INSIDE THE TUBE(AS DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINT#10010803 & 10023403). THIS HAPPENS ON INITIAL REMOVAL OF THE DIPSTICK PRIOR TO SERVICING. SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE EVEN 1ST TIME CUSTOMERS TO OUR SERVICE CENTERS. THERE ARE ALSO CLAIMS THAT I DO NOT HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR BECAUSE THE STORES ARE FRANCHISE OWNED AND THEY HANDLE THERE OWN CLAIMS. I DO HAVE ALL THE CUSTOMERS PERSONAL & VEHICLE INFORMATION IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT TO INVESTIGATE. THE DEALERS THAT I HAVE TALKED WITH STATE THAT THEY ARE UNWARE OF ANY CONCERNS OF THIS NATURE BUT ARE QUICK TO PROPOSE A REPAIR BILL OF $200-300.00 DOLLARES EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND CONSULT WITH NISSAN ON WHAT THERE TAKE IS ON THIS MATTER AND TO SEE IF THEY MAY ISSUE A RECALL TO WHERE JIFFY LUBE INTERNATIONAL COULD RECOUPE SOME OF THERE LOSSES, FINANCIALLY AND FROM A CUSTOMER STANDPOINT. PLEASE ADVISE IF I CAN OFFER ANYMORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. RICKY JACKSON JLI NATIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICE ADVISOR JIFFY LUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC. A SUBSIDIARY OF SHELL OIL COMPANY TEL: (713)546-4205 FAX: (713)217-3083 EMAIL: RICHARD.JACKSON@PZLQS.COM . *AK
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2003
2000 NISSAN SENTRA - ENGINE OIL STICK BROKE OFF, UNABLE TO CHECK OIL, PLASTIC HANDLE ON OIL STICK BRITTLE AFTER A FEW YEARS. COSTLY REPAIR TO DUE TO DEFECTED OIL STICK. *NLM
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Jun 18, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND DEFECTIVE PULLEY IN ENGINE. *MR THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 17000 MILES. THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD BLOW WARM AIR INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS APPEMPTED TO REPAIR THE A/C SEVERAL TIMES BUT HAS NIT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *NM
Equipment, Oct 19, 2000
AIR COND. LINES FREEZE UP AIR COND. BECOMES UNEFFECTIVE
Equipment, Oct 14, 2000
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR AFTER AN HOUR OF DRIVING WITH IT ON. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734304
Equipment, Oct 14, 2000
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR AFTER AN HOUR OF DRIVING WITH IT ON.
Equipment, May 30, 2000
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING, DESPITE ADJUSTING EVERY CONTROL POSSIBLE, THE AIR CONDITIONER CEASED WORKING. WHILE STOPPED FOR LUNCH, GAS REFILL, ETC. AND THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES, UPON START UP IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO COOL, BUT THE ATTEMPTS FAILED AND AS A RESULT BLEW OUT ONLY HOT AIR. THIS OCCURED DURING A DRIVING TRIP TO/FROM DALLAS OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, SO IT WAS NOT AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, IT WAS CONSTANT, DESPITE ALL THE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT ATTEMPTS. WHEN TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER I RETURNED, I DETAILED THE PROBLEM AND SAID, DON'T CALL ME AND TELL ME IT MUST BE INTERMITTENT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE YOU WON'T SINCE IT ONLY OCCURED ON THE LONG TRIP. SURPRISE, THAT'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME AND THEY CANNOT RUN A DYE TEST THROUGH THE COMPONENT TO SEE WHAT FAILED UNTIL A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE REPLICATES THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE IT FOR 20 MILES AND THE PROBLEM DIDN'T SURFACE, WHICH IT WOULDN'T ACCORDING TO MY EXPERIENCES. NOW, THE DEALER IS SENDING IT HOME WITH AN EMPLOYEE WHO COMMUTES 50 MILES OR SO EACH DAY TO SEE IF IT REPLICATES BEFORE THEY CAN RUN ANY OTHER DIAGNOSTIC (DYE) TEST. THE WRITE UP MANAGER WAS SURE THE MECHANIC HAD CALLED NISSAN AND THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. TOMORROW, MAY 31, I SHOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU ON THIS PROBLEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE RESULT.*AK