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
171 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 14, 2003
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. TO GET THE CAR MOVING WE HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL HARD WHICH CAUSES A FASTER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2003
THE ELECTRICAL DASHBOARD WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL UNIFIED SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 2, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN LURCHING AND NO RESPONSE FROM ACCELERATOR WHEN DEPRESSED. *MR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD,THE TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOSS OF SPEED. THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE WITH DIFFICULTY STEERING AND WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND OR PARK, NEITHER RESPONDED. *SCC *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2003
NOISY ENGINE, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MAKES A CLUNKY NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2003
THE VEHICLES WORN BRAKE PADS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
Steering, Tires, Apr 8, 2003, crash
THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON A SNOWY STREET, HIT A CURB AND WAS REAR ENDED. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2003
WENT OUT TO CHECK MY OIL AND THE PLASTIC PULLER ON THE OIL DIP STICK BROKE OFF AS I REMOVED IT AND THE REMAINING PART OF THE STICK FELL INTO THE DIP STICK SHAFT AND BECAME LODGED. MY NISSAN DEALER QUOTED ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REMOVE THE DIP STICK.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 10, 2002
HAD STOPPED VEHICLE, FOOT ON BRAKE, READY TO REVERSE TO PARALLED PARK, AND VEHICLE STARTED RACING FASTER AND FASTER. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND WAS REVVING UP TO MAX RPM. FORTUNATELY I WAS AT END OF STREET, NOTHING AND NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN IT LURCHED, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE DIDN'T STOP IT. HAD TO SHUT MOTOR OFF. DT
Power train, Oct 8, 2002
VEHICLE SHIFTS FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL INADVERTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Power train, Oct 7, 2002
WHEN DRIVING THIS AUTOMATIC CAR IN THE CITY (AT 20 - 40 MPH), IT SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. ACCELERATION IS LOST. REENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY MANUALLY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO SECOND GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ONLY EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS AND CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED BY O'NEILL OR STATE LINE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS, AND ONCE WHEN A THIRD PERSON WAS IN THE CAR. NISSAN SAYS IT WILL NOT FIX WHAT IT CANNOT DIAGNOSE, SO IT HAS NO PROPOSED REMEDY FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2002
MFR# P1159 & NHTSA# 01 V 357 000/CRANK POSITION SENSOR: CONSUMER STATES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A MANUFACTURER RECALL WAS ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING A "CRANK POSITION SENOR". CONSUMER STATES THAT NO RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVERD UNTIL AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCUR. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER . NLM
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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2002
VEHICLE SMOKES RIGHT AFTER A OIL CHANGE IS DONE, THIS IS DUE TO THE OIL FILTER PLUG BEING RIGHT ABOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONSUMER CAN ACTUALLY HEAR THE OIL POPPING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AFTER THE OIL CHANGE IS DONE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2002
MY DEALER FAILED TO TELL ME THAT A NEEDED REPAIR WAS, ACTUALLY, PART OF A FORMAL RECALL. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AFTER I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED. WHEN MY CAR EXHIBITED THE EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL, 01V357000.I CALLED HERITAGE NISSAN. THEY TOLD ME THAT, SINCE I DIDN?T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I DESCRIBED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT ANY OTHER MECHANIC/SHOP COULD PROBABLY SEE ME SOONER AND THAT I MAY AS WELL FIND SOMEONE LOCAL TO MY HOME. IN THE END, I PAID $231.68 FOR WHAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER FINDING OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ONLINE, I WROTE NISSAN NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS (LETTER DATED JUNE 24, 2002). TO DATE, THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED TO MY LETTER. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THESE MATERIALS TO YOU, IF NEEDED.*AK
Wheels, Aug 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. RECALL REPAIRS ON THE STEEL WHEELS WERE DONE ON JANUARY 10, 2002. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. *AK *SCC
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
Wheels, Jul 9, 2002
CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT RECALL OVI-277 WOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED IF CRACKS WERE EVIDENT IN THE WHEELS, IF NOT THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL DEC, THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED. *MJ
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION, WHICH FORCED HIM TO CROSS OVER 2 LANES TO THE CURB, DAMAGING THE PASSENGERS SIDE, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION WAS A PENDING RECALL (01V2770000) IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED.*JB DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENSOR ACCORDING TO RECALL. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK CAR STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR HAD VERY LITTLE PICK UP AND WAS NO LONGER REGISTERING RPM'S. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE IDLER PULLEY HAD FAILED.*AK