Model year record

2001 Nissan Sentra

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 311 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V511000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 70
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-10
Owners notified: 2003-12-15

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V455000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 630,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-17
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V477000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 276,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-14
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V376000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component: Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 81,393
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-12-12
Owners notified: 2002-01-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.

Manufacturer 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 AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V357000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline

Component: Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 103,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-11-16
Owners notified: 2001-12-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V277000

Wheels

Component: Wheels
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 115,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-08-29
Owners notified: 2001-10-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V174000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 101,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-23
Owners notified: 2001-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling	38	64,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	24	56,200 mi
Electrical system	23	73,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	21	48,000 mi
Engine	17	103,000 mi
Tires	13	35,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	8	88,000 mi
Wheels	8	17,350 mi
Electrical system: horn	7	30,000 mi
Air bags	6	17 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	6	58,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	17,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	6	—
Unknown or other	6	67,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	5	100,000 mi
Equipment	5	30,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	5	—
Tires: tread/belt	5	45,850 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	4	54,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	45,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	4	56,200 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	4	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	3	54,230 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	3	37,860 mi
Power train	3	—
Power train: automatic transmission	3	59,994 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	3	25,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	3	69,750 mi
Suspension	3	17 mi
Suspension: front	3	17,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	3	15,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	75,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	65,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	21,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	—
Steering	2	17,500 mi
Structure: body	2	17 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	2	37,275 mi
Visibility: windshield	2	—
Wheels: rim	2	37,275 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	163,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	134,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	17 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	9,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	88,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	75,700 mi
Seat belts	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	45,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	1	24,312 mi
Structure	1	86,620 mi
Structure: body: door	1	—
Structure: body: hood	1	—
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber	1	30 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables	1	40,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	70,000 mi

The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.