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.
Steering, Suspension, May 6, 2003
THE STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE WHILE MAKING A TURN WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CURB. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASION BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM
Tires, Apr 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH FRONT TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE TIRES WERE DUNLOP. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.*JB DEALERSHIP REPLACED CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2003
WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL IMPACTED THE CURB. WHICH RESULTED IN THE PULLEY BOLT BREAKING. *JB
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 27, 2003
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2001 SENTRA. STEERING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTER. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. CRUNCHING NOISE FROM SHOCKS/STRUTS WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR WHEN EXITING DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD (UNEVEN PAVEMENT). WORSE WHEN COLD. DEALER CLAIMS NO PROBLEM. BRAKES MAKE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. WORSE WHEN COLD. CAR HAS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE - TIGHT/DIFFICULT STEERING AND NOISY SUSPENSION. DRIVES LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD CHEVY INSTEAD OF A 2 YEAR OLD JAPANESE CAR. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY HONDA!!!*JB
Tires, Mar 21, 2003
THE FRONT TIRES LEFT BLACK MARKS ON THE ROAD. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE DO NOT COVER A LARGE AREA ON THE ROAD THEREFORE THEY SLID (P185/65R14). *SCC *NLM
Equipment, Mar 20, 2003
I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND IN THE PROCESS THE OIL DIPSTICK HANDLE BROKE. WHEN I NOTIFIED NISSAN, I WAS INFORMED BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH NISSANS. WE TRIED TO RETRIEVE THE OIL DIPSTICK BUT TO NO AVAIL. SO I CALLED NISSAN AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND HE INFORMED ME, THE OIL PAN WOULD HAVE TO BE DROPPED AND "ONLY" A NISSAN SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD PERFORM THE JOB. THE NISSAN SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST $200.00 TO REPAIR. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED ME DURING OUR CONSERVATION, T THEY WERE DROPPING THE OIL PAN ON SEVERAL NISSAN'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM , A BROKEN OIL DIPSTICK. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER TO PAY $200.00 TO HAVE AN OIL DIPSTICK REMOVED WHEN THE MATERIAL OR PART IS SUBSTANDARD INITIALLY. BASICALLY WHAT NISSAN IS SAYING IS, WHEN I GET AN OIL CHANGE THERE IS A "GREAT" POSSIBILITY THE OIL DIPSTICK WILL BREAK. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2003
THE HORN ASSEMBLY FAILED.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2003
THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*JB
Tires, Feb 24, 2003
NAR 2/24/2003 THE CONSUMER FRONT TIRES LEFT BLACK MARKS ON THE ROAD. *CB
Suspension, Feb 12, 2003
REAR STRUT NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE ATTEMPTS. FIRST SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 2001 DEALER REPLACED RIGHT REAR STRUT. NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. IN, 2003 NOISE GET LOUDER GOING OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH ROAD. DEALER REPLACED REAR STRUT MOUNT 2/6/2003. THIS WAS INEFFECTIVE AS NOISE/VIBRATION CONTINUES. UNSURE OF VEHICLE SAFETY AT THIS POINT.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2003
THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE HORN NOT TO WORK.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Feb 4, 2003, crash
THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING UP AND A POSSIBILITY OF NO FRONT BRAKES. SCC PH
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.
Suspension, Wheels, Jan 13, 2003, crash
11/28/2002 ABOARD CAMP PENDLETON DRIVING APPROX. 25MPH, RIGHT FRONT OEM ALLOY RIM BLEW OFF "UNIFORMATIVELY" 1 INCH OUTWARD FROM CENTER OF RIM, LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINT CAME APART, VEHICLE SMASHED DOWN IN ROAD. (I HAVE A VIDEO TAPE OF ACCIDENT TO SHOW MY CAR FELL IN THE ROAD, WITH NO OUTSIDE FORCE CAUSING ACCIDENT LIKE MANUFACTURE CLAIMS)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 6, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES TO THE VEHICLE WERE NOT WORKING ,CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHCILE. PH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2002
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES, WITH THE CAR GOING INTO A SLIDE /SKID AND ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR, GOING AT A SLOW RATE. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS TOLD ON A COUPLE OF OCC. THAT IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY. THEY SAID THEY DROVE IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY FOUND THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SAID IT RELATED TO THE CALIBERS ON THE BRAKES. WHAT CAN I DO FOR A COMPLAINT TO NISSAN FOR THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE SITUATION? CAN I TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THEM? DT
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2002
WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER WHILE TRAVELING THAT SPEED AND TO GET ACROOS THE TRAFFIC SO I COULD PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO PAT PECK NISSAN IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI. THEY FIXED THE CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THEY SAID NO. AFTER I GOT HOME I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FOR THE 2001 NISSAN SENTRA MANUFACTURED ON JANUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001. THE MANUFACTURED DATE ON MY CAR IS APRIL OF 2001. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IF MY CAR IS IN THE MANUFACTURED DATE WHY IT DOES NOT QUALIFY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, NOT ONLY ME BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND SEE IF THE RECALL WAS OVERLOOKED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUS INJURED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. KEVIN CARPENTER DT
Vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 2002
THERE IS A PATTERN OF FAILURES FOR ALL NISSAN VEHICLES 1998 THRU 2001 (DID NOT SEARCH NHTSA DATABASE FOR ANYTHING EARLIER). THIS FAILURE INVOLVES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATING USUALLY WHEN THE DRIVER IS EITHER SLOWING DOWN OR BRAKING. IN OUR CASE, WE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP OUR FORWARD MOTION. THE DATABASE SUMMARIES SHOW THE DEALER RESPONSE IS ALWAYS THE SAME - WE CAN'T REPLICATE, THEREFORE WE CAN'T FIX. ADDITIONALLY, OUR DEALER CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY SINCE THE REPORTS IN YOUR DATABASE SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE REPEATED TOLD NISSAN OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND FORCE NISSAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, DETERMINE ITS CAUSE AND RECALL THE VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC ACROSS ALL NISSAN MODELS (CARS, TRUCKS, SUVS, VANS) AND ACROSS A NUMBER OF MODEL YEARS (1998-2001). THIS PROBLEM COULD AFFECT MILLIONS OF CARS. ODI ID NUMBERS SOME OF THE RELATED PROBLEMS: 746324, 875795, 898284, 8001581, 741992, 854025, 566322, 56065, 758859, 8003876, 893370, 896545, 890278, 725165, 716994, 717202, 851041, 855272, 856147, 878223, 724641, 738694, 8019220, 857221, 863072, 885430, 531657, 558376, 737832, 842113, 553051, 725198, 836694, 855561, 829460, 853157, 785598, 533896. THANK YOU. DT
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
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 16, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ENGINE CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING .*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2002, crash
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS DONEVEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM STATED IN RECALL, RESULTING IN A BAD ACCIDENT.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Tires, Jul 31, 2002
RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW UT SIDE WALL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR CITY TRAFFIC THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. *TT *SCC