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
245 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. BEFORE TOTAL SHUT DOWN STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO IN TURN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT NOT FOR CONSUMER'S VIN NUMBER. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Tires, Oct 1, 2003
WHILE DRIVING FRONT TIRES WEAR PREMATURELY. CONSUMER STATES TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR.*MR
Tires, Sep 24, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE COMING OUT OF TIRE. CURRENTLY, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2003
THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR 01 V 357 000 AFTER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT. *NLM
Equipment, Sep 2, 2003
I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE HAD THE OIL DIPSTICK BREAK OFF IN THEIR 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MINE USING SUPER GLUE AND A DOWEL ROD SAVING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. HOWEVER, ANYONE IS NOT AWARE OF THIS WILL HAVE TO DO WHAT NISSAN SUGGESTS AND THAT IS TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO USE THEIR SERVICES FOR A DEFECTIVE PART OF NISSSAN'S DESIGN. I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO OTHER PLASTIC FAILURES WHERE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE (AN O-RING ON THE GROOVE IN THE PLASTIC) CAUSES PLASTIC TO BECOME BRITTLE.*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
Structure, Jul 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING REAR BUMPER FELL TO THE GROUND ON ONE SIDE, AND STILL REMAINE DATTACHED BY PLASTIC MECHANISM ON OTHER SIDE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2003
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 01V357000. CONSUMER'S "ENGINE" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE DEALER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL AND IS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEREFORE, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO SERVICE, FREE OF CHARGE, UNDER RECALL.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A RECALL NOTICE.ALSO STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THE ENGINE MAY STOP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALSO THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT MAY COME ON.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IS TELLING THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THE SAME THING THAT THE DEALER STATED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. THE DEALER FOUND THE SENSOR CIRCUIT CAM AND CRANK SENSOR WERE BAD AND REPLACED THEM. RECALL #01V357000 *SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS CRANK POSITION SENSOR AS STATED IN RECALL 01 V 357 000 , BUT THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW IF THE THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED DUE TO VIN, AND CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS CRANK POSITION SENSOR AS STATED IN RECALL 01 V 357 000 . DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED DUE TO VIN ,AND THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED.*AK
Air bags, Jul 7, 2003, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2003
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF A RECALL RELATED TO A CRANK POSITION SENSOR BUT HTE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Structure, Jun 17, 2003, crash
FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND REAR TRUCK. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR *CB
Tires, Jun 8, 2003
DUNLOP TIRES SP20FE CAME COMPLETELY APART WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIRE FAILURE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION WHILE I WAS GOING OVER A SEVEN MILE BRIDGE. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2003
DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO CEASE TWICE WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. MEANWHILE, WENT TO NISSAN WEBSITE AND FOUND THE EXACT CAUSE. I THEN CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS INFORMED MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I THEN CALLED DEALER'S SVC MGR, WHO SAID HE WASN'T SURE. I TOLD HIM I SPOKE WITH THEIR CONSUMER DEPT AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CAR HAD A RECALL PROBLEM. HE CALLED BACK 2 HRS LATER AND SAID MY CAR WAS FIXED. I ASKED ABOUT THE $65 TOWING REFUND. HE SAID TO CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. ALL OWNERS OF 2001 NISSAN SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DANGER. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2003
THE VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING (RECALL NUMBER 01V-357000). *MR *SCC *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2003
CONSUMER REQUESTING REFUND FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPAIR. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Electrical system, May 29, 2003
HORN STOPPED WORKING, DEALER SAID BREAK IN HARNESS WAS THE CAUSE.
Seat belts, May 28, 2003
CHILD WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT AND GOT WRAPPED AROUND THE SEATBELT SO TIGHT THAT THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE CHILD OUT. *TT
Service brakes, Air, May 23, 2003
RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKS AND DOES NOT ROTATE, AT TIMES, NOT ALL OF THE TIME. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG. SAYS, "PROBABLY THE CHANGES IN THE WEATHER." STARTED IN DECEMBER, 2002, AND IS CONTINUEING TO DATE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 19, 2003
THE BRAKE WORE QUICKLY WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *JB