2011 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 142 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 19 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesDec 15, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V579000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesNov 12, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V555000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
142 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 21, 2018
AT RANDOM TIMES THE VDC OFF INDICATOR WILL TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. IT CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOUR CAR TO GO OVER 40 MPH WITHOUT CONSTANT JERKING. YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER, SHUT DOWN AND RESTART YOUR CAR MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL THE INDICATOR DOESN'T COME BACK ON. SOME TIMES THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE AND WILL NEVER GO AWAY UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR AN HOUR OR SO. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR EVEN AT A STOP LIGHT, THE INDICATOR WILL COME ON AND THE JERKING WILL BEGIN. VERY DANGEROUS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 11, 2018
MY VEHICLE TURNS OFF BY ITSELF AND BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE MUFFLER.THE CAR BRAKES ARE ACTING WEIRD. THE CAR OVERHEATS
Engine, Apr 26, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, JERKS, AND HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE RPM JUMPING UP AND DOWN WHAT IS GOING ON HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE ABOUT THE WHINING NOISE AND THE RPM...
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO NISSAN OF VAN NUYS (5425 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 29, 2018
CAR RUNS FINE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, SKIPS INTO THE TRACTON CONTROL MODE AND VEHICLE SLOWES TO AROUND 10 MPH. CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. DASH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON . CAR CANNOT CONTINUE. AFTER STOPPING, SHUT ENGINE OFF, CAR WILL RUN FINE, THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SAFETY ISSUE, TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND HAVE YOUR ENGINE SHUT DOWN. NO WARNING, JUST HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2018
ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED TO TURN ON AND OFF, SO I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A SENSOR OR SPARK PLUG. THE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THEN ABOUT A YEAR LATER I WAS DRIVING AND A VDC OFF LIGHT ALONG WITH A TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK SO MUCH THAT I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I TURN THE CAR BACK ON IT GONE. I STARTED TO SEARCH FOR SIMILAR ISSUES TO SEE IF ANY OTHER NISSAN LIKE MINE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE . I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS WHICH THERE ISN'T BUT ONE OF THE RECALLS YOU HAVE LISTED, HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO WHICH IM HAVING. IT'S NOW TO THE POINT WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE FOR SOME REASON IT SHUTS OFF OR IF I BRAKE TO MUCH THE ISSUE WORSENS. PLEASE HELP!
Structure, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2018
FLAPPING SOUND ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN SPEEDING. MY VEHICLE MAKES A FLAPPING SOUND WHEN I SPEED MORE THAN 65 MPH. I CAN HEAR IT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY. IT CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED AND IT STILL MAKES THE SOUND.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2018
ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND IT WAS NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE SOON AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, THE ECM MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO RECALL#10V555000 AND #11V579000.
Power train, Jan 8, 2018
NISSAN CLAIMS THAT THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES WERE FIXED FOR THE MODEL YEAR 2011 SENTRA BUT THAT IS A LIE. THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND THEN THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT LOOSES ALMOST ALL POWER. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2006-2010 TO 120,000 MILES BECAUSE THEY KNEW THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES THAT STILL EXIST WITH THE 2011 MODEL. I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHICH HAS A WARM CLIMATE AND THE ISSUE NORMALLY MANIFESTS ITSELF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. AFTER CAREFUL RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN MOUNTAINOUS AREA HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, WHEN THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED AROUND SEPTEMBER 2015 WHILE GOING ON A 500 MILE TRIP, WE TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN OF POMPANO BEACH UPON OUR RETURN AND THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM AT THE TIME BECAUSE WE HAD JUST DRIVEN THE CAR ABOUT 350 MILES AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL WORKING. THE ISSUE SEEM TO ONLY MANIFEST WHEN THE WEATHER WAS REALLY WARM AND THE CAR WAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES. THEREFORE, WE INSTRUCTED THEM TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND WENT ON OUR WAY WONDERING IF THAT WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS GONE ANOTHER 15K MILES WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. SINCE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING SHORTER TRIPS WITH THE CAR THE ISSUE HAD NOT MANIFESTED ITSELF AGAIN UNTIL NOW SO WE TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN IN MIAMI AND AGAIN THEY TOLD US THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. GIVEN ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION, I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON 2011 MODELS OR AT LEAST MAKE SURE THAT DEALERSHIPS TRY TO INSTALL A TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER TO SEE IF THE CUSTOMERS ISSUE GOES AWAY.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2017
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PARTS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE INFLATOR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO A YEAR AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IF IN AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2017
KEEPS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. WENT TO NISSAN TO CLEAR...THEY SAID THEY CLEARED IT ,PUT STILL FLASHING! I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER ON SAFER.GOV...TOLD ME THE 9TH NUMBER DOES NOT CALCULATE PROPERLY...WHAT DOES THAT MEAN???
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 14, 2017
I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. AT TIMES, THE ENGINE STALLS AND IT CANNOT GO ABOVE 15-20 MPH, EVEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS UP, AS WELL. THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL INDICATOR THEN TURNS ON. LUCKILY, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BUT I FIND IT ALARMING. I ALSO THINK THIS DEFECT IS AFFECTING OTHER IMPORTANT COMPONENTS IN MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SPORADICALLY FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 50 MPH AND MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER VARIOUS RESEARCH, THE FAILURE WAS TRANSMISSION RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SWOPE TOYOTA OF ELIZABETH TOWN, KENTUCKY WHERE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Power train, Apr 27, 2017
I BOUGHT A USED 2011 NISSAN SENTRA THAT WENT THROUGH A VIGOROUS INSPECTION. 3 DAYS LATER TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS. HAD METRO NISSAN REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AND COOLER ASSEMBLY AND MADE NO DIFFERENCE. THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THESES ISSUES
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2017
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY HESITATES LOSES POWER AND STALLS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO INDEPENDENT NISSAN REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND UPDATED TO THE NEWEST VERSION. BECAUSE OTHER COMPONENTS THAT ARE TIED IN TOGETHER IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. AP0101 DIAGNOSTIC CODE STATES THAT THE MAF SENSOR IS BAD. THE MAF SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE GAS TANK CAP HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH AN OEM, ETC. I BELIEVE THAT THE ECM IS NOT COMMUNICATING CORRECTLY WITH THE MAF SENSOR SIGNAL AND IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIME AND I CAN HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE ENGINE STTALLING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I CAN BE SEVERELY REAR ENDED IN THE FREEWAY.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2017, crash
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, (MY CAR GOT TOTALED) MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY TO PROTECT ME.. I HAD NO PAIN RIGHT AWAY, BUT LATER ON IT GOT SO BAD I CAN'T STAND MY BACK AND NECK PAIN !!!!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2017, fire
RECALL ON BATTERY CABLE IMPACTED ECM AND CAUSED FIRE ON WIEINGOF CAR AND IMPACTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND VALVE SOLENOID AND O2 SENSORS AND DAMAGED CAR
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE CRANKED OR RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOLDER FUSE LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V579000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Engine, Dec 26, 2016
MY ENGINE BLEW THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE MY TRANSMISSION OR MY HEAD GASKET 3,500 TO FIX
Air bags, Oct 4, 2016
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY APARTMENT PARKING LOT. I WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT WHEN MY PASSENGER EXCITED THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED THE DOOR SHUT. MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO BED BACK REAR WINDOW. AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NISSAN WOULD NOT AND COULD NOT FIX THE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE PART A NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WERE NOT FOUND. JAPANESE CAR SHOPS WOULD NOT FIX THEM BECAUSE IT WAS A LIABILITY ON THEM AND FEARED THEM DEPLOYING AGAIN. LAWYERS WOULDN'T TAKE THE CASE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WASN'T WORTH THEIR TIME. AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISON. FOR OVER A YEAR AND HALF I DROVE A TOTALED CAR AROUND WITH MY YOUNG INFANT THAT DID NOT HAVE AN AIR BAG SYSTEM IN IT NOW WHAT DO EVER BECAUSE THE SENSORS BLEW WHEN THIS OBSCURED AND THEN HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET RID OF THE CAR AND ROLL OVER MY NEGATIVE EQUITY FROM THIS VEHICLE.
Power train, Sep 23, 2016
THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO LOWER SPEED 60MPH IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPEN ABOUT 3 TIMES. IF THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS 85 DEGREES OR ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATS CAUSING A SENSOR TO DOWN SHIFT TRANSMISSION. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WAS INFORMED I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. READ ONLINE COMPLAINS ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSION ON NISSAN VEHICLES IS A BIG PROBLEM.
Power train, Aug 19, 2016
2011 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 80,000 MILES AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A HIGH PITCH NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT INCREASES IN RPM BUT DOESN'T INCREASE POWER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR EARLIER MODELS BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR NEWER ONES. WHEN I CALLED AND OPENED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN AND AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THE CASE WAS CLOSED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER AND THE VEHICLE TECH SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE CVT GOING BAD. HE SAID THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH CVT'S AND HIS OPINION WAS HE WOULDN'T OWN ONE
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
WE DRIVING OUT OF STATE AND WHEN THE CLIMB STARTED THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND WAS DRIVING ONLY 25 MILES AN HOUR. WE ARRIVED AT A DEALER OF NISSAN AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL IS HEATED AND NEEDED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COOLING KIT ...MY CAR HAS 112600 MILES AND THAT HAPPENS ON MAY,26,2016.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE PARKING AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. UPDATED 08/22/16.*JB *JS *JS *JS
Power train, Engine, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE SPEED DECREASED TO 25 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATED AND NEEDED THE CVT COOLER UPGRADE SERVICE KIT AND PERFORMANCE OF CVT FLUID FLUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,600.