2001 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 245 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 21 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 14 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
Exterior lighting, headlightsDec 12, 2001
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.
THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.
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.
Campaign 01V376000 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: electrical system
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2005
HORN STOPPED WORKING, WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2005
INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING, CAR ROUGH IDLE, CAR NOT STARTING, CAR SPURTING WHILE DRIVING, CAR NOT GOING INTO OVERDRIVE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE, BEEN TO TWO DEALERS, AND 1 MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT IT IS IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM MY RESEARCH, DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE EITHER NOT BEING REPORTED BY A BAD SENSOR OR THE ECM IS NOT STORING THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES. *NM
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2004
NISSAN SENTRA 2001 HAD A RECALL TO REMOVE THE FOAM COVERING THE ECM. I HAD THIS DONE JUNE 2004..THE PROBLEM WITH THE FOAM WAS AS IT CURED , IF THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE LINING, CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR COULD CAUSE THE ECM TO MALFUNCTION. WELL I HAD THE FOAM REMOVED BUT I FEEL THE CORROSION WAS PROBABLY ALREADY OCCURRING SO IN 6 MONTHS THE ECM WENT BAD. NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE ECM. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2004
WE HAVE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS, VIDEO CASSETTE PLAYER, RADIO CONTROLS ON THE STEEING WHEEL, VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK, A RATTLING IN THE FRONT WHEEL AREA. A MONTH AGO, THE ELECTRON FUSE BLEW IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START, WHEN THE FUSE IS REPLACED IT BLOWS AGAIN. WE WERE TOLD THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS HAS GONE BAD - THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT! WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM GOING BAD - "IT JUST WENT BAD". THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE OCTOBER 5, 2004 - WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS, NISSAN SENT THE WRONG PART TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THE CORRECT PART WE ARE TOLD IS ON BACKORDER INDEFINATELY - NISSAN HAS NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. A SUPERVISOR FROM NISSAN HAS FAILED TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 38 MONTHS OLD (EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT). HOW CAN A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD HAVE A PART, THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN WITHOUT, BE ON BACKORDER INDEFINATELY? AND, HOW CAN A MAJOR WIRING PART GO BAD SO SOON AND NISSAN NOT BE LIABLE FOR IT? *AK
Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 30, 2004
FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOSS POWER. BELTS CAME APART GOING APPROXIMATED 65 MPH. TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. FOUND BELTS MISSING FROM PULLEYS. DEALERSHIP INSTALLED DRIVE BELTS AND PERFORMS SEVERAL RECALL SERVICES RELATED TO 03V455000 & 03V4777000. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. BATTERY DISCHARGES OVERNIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. ERRATIC IDLE/STALLS OVER TIME. AUGUST 2004 CAR STALLS ON FREEWAY DRIVING 65 MPH. CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP THAT REPORTS LOSS OF SPARK ON CYL 2, BUT FAILS TO FIND PROBLEM. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO FINDS ECM FAILURE. REQUIRES 800.00 TO FIX. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2004
RECALL FOR CRANKSHAFT KIT AND RECENT SHUT DOWN OF ENGINE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AT THE DEALER FOR A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT I THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST HE RUNS CAME UP AS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR THEN THE CONSUMER WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTICS FEE. THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN AND THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TEST INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT, IT REALLY WAS NOT THE SENSOR BUT THE WIRING AROUND THE CRANKSHAFT. THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS COMPLETELY DISHONEST AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE DEALER. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2004
2001 NISSAN SENTRA SE - HORN HAS BEEN DEAD FOR MONTHS - WIRING ASSEMBLY NEAR RADIATOR IS SHORTED MAY 14, CAR DIED DURING OPERATION AND STARTED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY - MOSTLY NOT - WIRING DEFECT TO ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WARNING. *AK
Electrical system, May 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK OTHER FAILED PARTS WERE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ELECTRICAL COIL, AND THE CRANK SENSOR. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE WERE RELATED TO RECALL 03V455000 AND 03V477000. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V477000 CONCERNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ( EMC) MATERIAL: VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN NOT WORKING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2004
NEW IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED ON A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA!*AK
Electrical system, Visibility, Mar 15, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE MOTOR STALLED. THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING AN ASSORTMENT OF ELECTRICAL DEFECTS, INCLUDING POWER WINDOWS. *AK
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Aug 27, 2003
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. . I HAVE HAD TO BRING IT IN FOUR TIMES FOR AN INOPERATIVE HORN. I WOULD DISCOVER THAT HORN WAS NOT WORKING, I'D BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD FUNCTION, THEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WOULD PASS AND AGAIN IT WOULD BE INOPERATIVE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE HARNESS, AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING FOR 2 STRAIGHT MONTHS. THIS MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL, BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TWICE FOR A BROKEN IGNITION WIRE. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS RELEASED TO ME AND TWO DAYS LATER I HAD IT TOWED IN BECAUSE IT WAS DEAD. I HAVE HAD BREAK ISSUES, MY BREAKS WERE APPARENTLY WARPED AND NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.THE LATEST THING TO GO WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE MIDDLE LANE, DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I HAD NO WHERE TO GO AND WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I AM NOW TOLD THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN MY CAR WILL BE FIXED, NOR ARE THEY WILLING TO PROVIDE ME WITH ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. AM I JUST SUPPOSED TO ACCEPTT THAT ALL OF THIS GOES WRONG WITH MY 2001 CAR? I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I WOULD HAVE SAFE AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. THIS HAS YET TO HAPPEN. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE PLAGUED ME SINCE THE BEGINNING AND ITS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I AM AT KELLY NISSAN WITH A MAJOR ISSUE AN AVERAGE OF ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS CAR IS SAFE TO OPERATE. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER?*AK
Electrical system, May 29, 2003
HORN STOPPED WORKING, DEALER SAID BREAK IN HARNESS WAS THE CAUSE.
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2003
THE HORN ASSEMBLY FAILED.*JB
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2003
THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE HORN NOT TO WORK.*JB
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2003
MY VEHICLE BROKE DOWN THIS MORNING, THE PROBLEM IS AN ACTIVE RECALL THAT NISSAN IS NOW PERFORMING ON MY VEHICLE. THE BREAKDOWN AND DIAGNOSTIC CHECKOUT OF THE MY VEHICLE REPLICATES THE SAME VEHICLE, YEAR AND PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS REPAIRING EXCEPT THEY SAY THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETLEY. AND ALSO THERE WERE NO BRAKES THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 4, 2002
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CAR HAD NO POWER. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD THAT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THEN TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT WORKING AND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS BROKEN. THE COMPUTER AND WIRING WERE MOVING AROUND. WAITED FOR THIS PART FROM APRIL 24TH TO MAY 31ST. THIS PART WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 3RD AND WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE WOULD STILL NOT RUN. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE APRIL 22ND; PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Jan 31, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LEAVING CONSUMER WITHOUT A VISION OF THE ROAD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK