2001 Nissan Sentra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 36 |
| 1988 | 37 |
| 1989 | 41 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 63 |
| 1992 | 62 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1994 | 99 |
| 1995 | 117 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 58 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 235 |
| 2002 | 304 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2005 | 170 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 167 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 144 |
| 2011 | 141 |
| 2012 | 180 |
| 2013 | 638 |
| 2014 | 380 |
| 2015 | 347 |
| 2016 | 266 |
| 2017 | 228 |
| 2018 | 183 |
| 2019 | 219 |
| 2020 | 203 |
| 2021 | 127 |
| 2022 | 80 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 38 distinct reports on file.
CRASH10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.
FIRE9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine — 15 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN REMAINED LIT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190712
WHEN I AM AT A STOP FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR VIBRATES THEN SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171107
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 MA
Remedy: 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 N
Campaign 01V174000 — check if this car was fixed
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 BE
Remedy: 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 TH
Campaign 01V277000 — check if this car was fixed
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 "
Remedy: 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
Campaign 01V357000 — check if this car was fixed
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 VEHICLE
Remedy: 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
Campaign 01V376000 — check if this car was fixed
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-LI
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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 T
Remedy: 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 A
Campaign 03V455000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 01V174000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V277000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V357000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V376000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V511000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V477000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Nissan Sentra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Sentra have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.