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.
Air bags, Apr 13, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING OFF FROM A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2016
VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION IN THE PARKING LOT. WON'T RESTART. POSITIVE BATTERY POST CORRODED.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2016
I WAS DRIVING 03/29/16 AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND STOPPED WORKING SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. WON'T TURN ON AT ALL NO LIGHT WINDOWS WON'T MOVE DOORS WON'T OPEN ONLY DRIVERS DOOR WITH KEY
Electrical system, Mar 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V579000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2016
AT APPROX 72,000 MILES MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. MY CAR HAD NEVER BEEN IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND I HAD NEVER TOUCHED OR DONE ANYTHING TO INTERFERE WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN THEY WOULD KEEP REPLACING PARTS UNTIL SOMETHING WORKED CHARGING ME FOR EVERYTHING THEY DID WHETHER IT WORKED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE FLASHING BEGAN.
Air bags, Seats, Jan 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS INOPERABLE AND THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Dec 9, 2015, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT LOCK ONCE MY CAR WAS HIT BY THE OTHER VEHICLE WHO CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED MY BROTHER THE DRIVER TO GO FORWARD. ALSO THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK. CAUSING MORE HARM AND WORSE INJURIES, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING TO KEEP MY BROTHER FROM GOING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL WAITING TO TURN, WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK THAT FAILED TO BRAKE AND JUST CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON A CITY STREET .
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2015
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SOMETIMES THE VDC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO. IT ACTS LIKE IT WILL NOT TAKE THE GAS AND IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO. WE HAVE TRIED TO CUT THE SWITCH OFF BUT COULD NOT. WE HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN START IT BACK UP AND IT WOULD BE FINE. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ITS A REALLY SCARY FEELING WHEN YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 2, 2015
DRIVING ALONGON A MAJOR HIGHWAY 301 IN THE STATE OF GEROGIA AND THE CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSED COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION.
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2015
WHEN DRIVING FROM A STOP POSITION THE CAR WILL APPEAR TO HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. SOME HESITATIONS ARE LONGER THAN OTHERS. IT'S SCARY AS IF THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE BUT AS OF YET WILL THEN GO.NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE HESITATION. IT IS INTERMITTENT AS THIS TIME AND NEW TO MY POSSESSION OF THE CAR. I FEAR THE CAR WILL AT SOME POINT NOT GO WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS. SCARY.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2015, crash
THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER AND REAR DOOR AT APPROXIMATELY 40MILES PER HOUR. THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS TOO FORCEFUL CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO EYE AND BURNS MARK. WE FEEL THE AIRBAG WAS MORE HARM THAN GOOD, AT THE POINT OF ALMOST LOSING EYESIGHT IN ONE EYE.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE WITH A SPARE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Jun 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO HOLE IN THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Engine, May 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALER RESET THE CODES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,076.
Power train, Apr 28, 2015
I BOUGHT A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA BRAND NEW ONE OWNER JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING. AS I GOT OF THE HIGHWAY I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND ONCE IT TURNED GREEN TRIED TO GAS IT BUT IT DOESN'T MOVE. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN L NOTHING, REVERSE NOTHING CAR REVS BUT DOESN'T ACCELERATE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY SAID TRANSMISSION IS GONE . REALLY DISAPPOINTED 4 YEARS AND CARS TRANSMISSION WENT. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE 8TH NISSAN IN THE FAMILY AND I'M WORRIED NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL CVT. AFTER THIS NEVER BUYING ANOTHER NISSAN THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE 2007-2010 MODELS BUT NO RECALL. 2011 NISSAN SENTRA HIGHWAY DRIVEN DAILY AND NISSAN DON'T WANT TO FIX IT. I FINANCED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS STILL OWE $5000 AND THEY WANT $5500 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY I GOT FOR 24000 CAR SPECIAL EDITION SR MODEL DEFIANTLY WOULDN'T RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. BEWARE VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE DON'T BUY CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR
Visibility, Apr 1, 2015
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND SAW A HUGE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF AND THE REMAINING WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. NOTHING CAME UP AND HIT US AND WE WERE NOT DRIVING UNDERNEATH OF ANYTHING. IT WAS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND UN-EXPLAINED. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2015, crash
GRANDDAUGHTER HAD HEAD ON ACCIDENT WHICH WAS NOT HER FAULT DUE TO OTHER CAR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF HER. .SHE WAS HURT AND IN PAIN TOOK HER TO HOSPITAL ..WORST PART WAS THAT MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL . WHERE IS MY RECALL LETTER . THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME AND AT 72YEARS OLD I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT WORSE .I HAVE TWO NISSANS. DO THE SEAT BELTS WORK ON MY ROUGH NISSAN 2013 .THE 2011 SENTRA THAT WAS IN ACCIDENT DIDN'T NOW I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE ROUGH WILL MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY .LOVE MY NISSANS BUT I AM SCARED THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO ME IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT . MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS VERY PRECIOUS TO ME .RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM OR I WILL NEVER BUY AN OTHER NISSAN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2015
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK HEADED TOWARDS THE ALTAMONT PASS ON HIGHWAY 580 WEST.JUST PAST GRANT LINE RD AT 6:15 A.M. ON 03/17/2015, MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER WITH NO PRIOR WARNING TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER. I WAS STRANDED IN THE SECOND LANE OVER FROM THE FAST LANE. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME CAME SO CLOSE TO HITTING ME. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN AUTOMOBILE CRASH DRIVING THIS SPEED DURING HEAVY COMMUTE CONDITIONS. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING, SUCH AS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PRIOR TO THIS. HIGHWAY PATROL AND THE TOW SERVICE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM AAA AND TOWED MY CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION UNTIL AAA ARRIVED . MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. I REGULARLY TAKE MY VEHICLE FTO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK ANY LONGER BEING I COMMUTE 54 MILES TO AND FROM WORK ON A DAILY BASIS. THE NISSAN DEALER DID NOT PERFORM ALL OF THE NECESSARY STEPS FOR CODE P0101 WHICH IS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODE.THE MILEAGE REMAINED THE SAME SO HOW DID THEY TEST DRIVE IT? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2015
IT WAS DRIVING OK ON A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR CHECK ENGINE OR BATTERY; AND AFTER PARKING & TURNING OFF THE ENGINE THE CAR DID NOT RESTART ANYMORE. BATTERY IS GOOD, FUEL PUMP IS GOOD TOO, NO BLOWN FUSES, NOTHING SEEMS WRONG BUT SIMPLY IT WON'T RESTART! *TR
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2015
VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 50 MILES AWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MAIN FUSE AND THE BATTERY HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN FUSE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Air bags, Nov 7, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE NECK, ARM, THE LOWER -MIDDLE PART OF THE BACK AND THE LEFT LEG, AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Oct 24, 2014, crash
I WAS TRAVELING THRU A LIGHT WHEN A CAR HIT ME FROM THE SIDE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY AIR BAGS CAME OUT. THE ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIT MY WRIST AND BROKE IT IN HALF. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT EARLIER BUT IT WAS THE WRONG YEAR VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 14, 2014
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (DRIVER'S AIRBAG) ILLUMINATED. WENT TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. WAS TOLD IF THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $936.99 FOR REPLACEMENT. CAR HAD ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT! I AM NOW UNABLE TO PASS REQUIRED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO "SAFETY ISSUE." TWO EMAILS TO NISSAN HAVE GONE WITHOUT RESPONSE. *TR
Power train, Oct 7, 2014
A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEAR ( DEFECTIVE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY ) FROM PARK TO DRIVE , FIRST WAS TOLD BY NISSAN IT IS COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (60K MILES ) AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT'S NOT. *TR WHY IS THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECTIVE PART ? WE ARE NOT TALKING LIGHT BULBS OR FUSES WHICH LASTED LONGER THAN AN IMPORTANT GEAR OF A CAR. *TR