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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 25, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES FAILED, ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2002
OIL FILTER REMOVAL RESULTS IN OIL DRAINING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. LOTS OF AIR POLLUTION, SMOKE AND SMELL UPON START UP. DEALERS HAVE NO REMEDY EXCEPT TO SUGGEST USE OF LOTS OF RAGS. NISSAN UNRESPONSIVE. ACCORDING TO DEALERS, THIS IS THE ONLY MODEL SO AFFECTED.*AK
Tires, Jun 5, 2002
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE TO CHANGE WHEELS AND VALVES CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES LOSING AIR . CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 6OOO MILES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *YH
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
Air bags, May 21, 2002
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG COVER KEEPS LIFTING OFF. DEALER HAS REPLACED COVER 3 TIMES. *AK
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Wheels, May 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH ENGINE POWER.*JB CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL ACCIDENT OR CRASH. *JG
Air bags, Apr 18, 2002, crash
HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROX. 45 MILES AND HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY....AUTO SHOP SAYS WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES FRONT OF CAR DIPS DOWN THEREFOR MISSING MY AIRBAG SENSORS...DON'T YOU ALWAYS BRAKE WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET IN WRECK? THEN WHAT GOOD ARE MY AIRBAGS?*AK
Seats, Apr 12, 2002
HEAD REST ON BACK OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WILL NOT STAY DOWN, MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, UNSAFE IN A REAR END COLLISION, NO SUPPORT FOR BACK. DEALER FIXED IT 6 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2002
ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING ON WET ROAD CONDITION VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2002
CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AFTER FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS EASILY MANAGED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR AND CARBON BUILD-UP WAS FOUND ON THE THROTTLE AND CLEANED UP. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS MORE DRAMATIC. I WAS ACCELERATING QUICKLY (4000+ RPM) FROM A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT 4000+ RPM. BRAKING HARD DID NOT STOP THE CAR, NOR DID IT STOP THE CONTINUED ACCELERATION. HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT 4000+ RPM, UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. BROUGHT TO NISSAN SERVICE. THEY CHECKED THROTTLE PLATE AND CABLE BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM, AND CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED IN THE WEEK SINCE, BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. SHOULD THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAVE BEEN FIXED WITH OUT CHARGE? WHAT CAN I DO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ME, AND COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY IF ONE OF MY KIDS HAD BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2002
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE STARTED TO REV UP, AND THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE, GOING OVER THE CRUB. *AK THE VEHICLE CRASHED AFTER GOING OVER THE CRUB. *YH
Suspension, Feb 7, 2002
DRIVER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL ON LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 31, 2002
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO REDUCE SPEED OR TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION ON TIME, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH, THE ENGINE WILL STOP WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND WILL LEAVE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE 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
Suspension, Jan 30, 2002
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON REPLACING ALL ATTACHMENT BOLTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION, DEALER DID NOT HONOR RECALL, STATING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JG
Tires, Jan 28, 2002
BRIDGESTONE, V381, P185/65R14, DOT V67JP300210, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001, NISSAN, SENTRA WITH 24000 MILES. REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE PARKED. SEAM WAS COMING APART WHERE TREAD AND SIDEWALL MEET. ON JANUARY 26, 2002 WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT DUE TO SEAM SEPARATING. NO INJURIES. BRIDGESTONE HAS REPLACED THE TIRES.*AK *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 24, 2002
I REPORTED TO SERVICE MANAGER-ZEEK, SHEEHY NISSAN ANNAPOLIS, THAT THE CAR HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE UPON BRAKING, TO THE POINT OF JERKING TO A STOP, AND EVEN SLIDING AT LOW SPEEDS BELOW 40MPH. NO PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE SHOES, AND TURNED ROTORS. I NOTICED LATELY THAT WHEN I BRAKE, I HEAR THIS DRY SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I INTEND TO REPORT IT ALONG WITH THE ENGINE BELT SQUEAKING SOUNDS THIS WEEKEND. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2002
WHEN I REPORTED THAT THE CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND HAD RETURNED (AROUND THE ENGINE BELTS) TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT SHEEHY NISSAN IN ANNAPOLIS, THE SERVICE PERSON (MARY) SAID THAT, IF WE CAN'T RECREATE THE SOUND THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIX IT. I PROCEEDED TO TELL HER TO LOOK AT HER DATA BASE FOR DEC 2001, AND SHE WOULD SEE THAT IT HAS BEEN ONLY A MONTH AND THE SOUND IS BACK, BUT INTERMITENT, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER-ZEEK KNEW WHAT IT WAS AFTER THEY HAD CHANGED OUT THE (2) DEFECTIVE SENOR RECALL. SHE GOT IMPATIENT AND REPEATED THE SAME AGAIN TO ME, ABOUT RECREATING THE SOUND. NOT BEING VERY EDUCATED OR PATIENT WITH CUSTOMERS, BUT RUDE, ONLY SERVED TO UPSET ME FURTHER ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE COMPLACENT ATTITUDE I WAS UP AGAINST. I THOUGHT, I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME IF ONE OF THOSE BELTS GAVE OUT. ITS MY LIFE, NOT MARY' . I ALSO TOLD HER WHEN THE BELTS MAKE THAT SOUND, THE ENGINE HESTITATES. THIS MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THIS "SERVICE EXPERT."*AK
Tires, Jan 19, 2002
TIRES SLIDING EVEN ON DRY FREEWAY. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Wheels, Seats, Jan 4, 2002
HEADREST WILL NOT STAY IN DOWN POSITION, IT KEEPS RISING UP, BLOCKING CONSUMER'S VIEW ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 18, 2001
APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. ENGINE CHECK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TUSTIN NISSAN AND THEY REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I SAW A RECALL FOR 2000 SENTRA'S BUT NOT 2001.*AK
Suspension, Dec 11, 2001
YOUR DATABASE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER ALL OF MY VISITS TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER. THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR TRIED TO GET ME TO PAY FOR THE INHERENT PROBLEMS, BY SAYING THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY READILY REPLACED THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THEY SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I TOOK ALL MY COMPLAINTS TO THE BBB IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. ARBITRATION TOOK PLACE WITH NISSAN. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, " ALL MY COMPLAINTS WERE COMMON FOR THE NISSAN SENTRA. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!" I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT MY COMPLAINTS ARE BEING CALLED "RECALLS" ONE BY ONE. THIS IS A TOTALLY UNSAFE CAR ON THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO MY 3RD NISSAN SENTRA OVER THE YEARS. THEIR PRODUCT HAS GONE DOWN HILL.*AK
Power train, Dec 6, 2001
CLUTCH SWITCH IS FAULTY. VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Power train, Dec 6, 2001
TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF OR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK