KnownCarProblems2000 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Nissan Sentra, most often about the engine (45% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is 14th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2000 Nissan Sentra problems
Engine
77 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
While driving 20 MPH, the engine light illuminated then stalled. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause has yet to be determined.
Check engine light began flashing. Vehicle wanted to stall when stopping. No power upon acceleration. Air flow meter and #4 coil were replaced. Check engine soon light came back on within 24 hours. Dealer unable to provide me with a copy of the $90 diagnostic test.
Electrical
29 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, alternator/generator/regulator.
My engine and check brake lights came on and check vehicle light, came on and stayed on . My alternator discharged and my car cut off in traffic, several times. I had to replace the alternator. I believe this electrical problem caused my alternator to go bad.
The gauges on my dashboard stopped working intermittently - I will be driving and there is no speedometer, odometer, tachometer, gas gauge or temperature gauge. They all stop working together for various lengths of time, and then just "click" on again.
Air bags
16 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
My service engine soon light was on for over a week. The dealer told me by phone to pull over if it started flashing. After the car was checked, it turned out it needed a " new mass air flow sensor". It was a saturday so the service writer couldn't reach Nissan motor corp to see if I had to pay. I did call Nissan…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Nissan Sentra. While driving 30 MPH, the contact was involved in a head on crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, arms, and fingers. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were…
Wheels and tires
14 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Vehicle shut off completely and without prior warning while traveling on the highway. This problem occurred on several occasions. Dealer was aware of the problem. Several repair attempts were made but none of them were successful. Noise came from the right wheel area while driving. The dealer replaced all wheels per a…
Nissan dealership service diagnosed air flow meter failure - engine light on p0171 b1 fuel lean. Event happened at same time as when the crank sensor and ECM case recall work done except dealership claims separate - not part of covered recall work. Auto only has 64,889 miles and dealership claims engine trouble and…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 6%The 2000 Nissan Sentra has been having computer problems for 6 months or so. Three weeks ago the car began surging and loosing power at highway speed and is rendered useless. The problem was found to be the computer. Nissan has not yet delivered the part and there is no time or date for shipment. I have been dealing…
I own a 2000 Nissan gxe. The handle to the dip stip broke in the technician's hand leaving the dipstick in the "tube". I haven't asked yet, but records show that Nissan will charge up to $700 to remove the broken dip stick.
Equipment
11 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: appliance, electrical.
Vehicle shut off completely and without prior warning while traveling on the highway. This problem occurred on several occasions. Dealer was aware of the problem. Several repair attempts were made but none of them were successful. Noise came from the right wheel area while driving. The dealer replaced all wheels per a…
Suspension
11 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
Consumer received recall 01v174000 concerning lower control arm. While turning on to a residential street at 5 MPH consumer heard a peculiar noise from the left front of the vehicle. Seconds later consumer lost control of the vehicle. A mechanic examined the vehicle and determined that the left lower control arm…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 23 MPH or greater, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the failure was…
Speed control
10 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages.
The accelerator pedal sticks. As a result when taking off after a stop, the consumer had to apply more pressure to the pedal. The part has been replaced three times. However problem still exists. (throttle plate stuck) the problem never seemed to be corrected. The consumer would have to forcibly press down on the gas…
Ever since I've owned my 2000 Nissan Sentra (owner since april 2003), I've noticed that the car hesitates when the accelerator pedal is pressed. This causes me to press on the gas harder making my car lurch forward. This morning I rear ended someone and while the nature of the collision is my fault, I believe there…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Nissan Sentra recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began december 15, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: gasoline
Risk: If the engine stops running while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: Separation of the wheel from the vehicle while being operated could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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 r
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: The bolts could fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (77 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); electrical (29 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); air bags (16 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Nissan Sentra have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2003 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 14th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 171 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.