KnownCarProblems2001 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Nissan Sentra, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 59,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2001 Nissan Sentra problems
Engine
108 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
While the vehicle was parked with the engine running it stalled without warning. The consumer attempted to restart the vehicle several time, but the engine would not restart. The dealer was notified and stated that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced under recall 01v357000. The consumer's vehicle was not…
Car died in intersection, for the second time, due to faulty sensors. Many sentras have been recalled for this exact problem, mine is not one of them. Nissan will not replace my sensors.
Electrical
44 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
Consumer received a recall notice. The sensor light came on, and the motor stalled. This vehicle was having an assortment of electrical defects, including power windows.
Consumer received recall 03v477000 concerning electronic control module ( emc) material: vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs, and immediately started having problems with the horn not working. Approximately a week later, vehicle would not start even though the dealer performed recall repairs.
Wheels and tires
26 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, rim.
My daughter was driving at the speed limit on highway 94 in san diego, when the rear right tire exploded at approximately 1:45 p.m. The blowout caused extensive damage to the right side door, rear right panel and rear bumper. The car went into a 360 spin in the fast lane and median of the freeway. The car was taken to…
11/28/2002 aboard camp pendleton driving approx. 25mph, right front OEM alloy rim blew off "uniformatively" 1 inch outward from center of rim, lower suspension ball joint came apart, vehicle smashed down in road. (I have a video tape of accident to show my car fell in the road, with no outside force causing accident…
Brakes
24 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, pedals and linkages.
While driving at 35 MPH vehicle stalled and shut down in the middle of the highway. Before total shut down steering wheel and brakes locked up, almost resulting in an accident. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who in turn informed the consumer that the crank positioning sensor was defective. There was a recall on this…
Vehicle with just over 30000 miles has severe braking system problems, requiring signficant and costly repairs. Appears to be common with 2001 Sentra.
Suspension
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The steering wheel made noise. On one occasion the vehicle began to vibrate and shake while making a turn which resulted in the vehicle hitting a curb. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer on several occasion but they have not been able to locate or correct the problem.
11/28/2002 aboard camp pendleton driving approx. 25mph, right front OEM alloy rim blew off "uniformatively" 1 inch outward from center of rim, lower suspension ball joint came apart, vehicle smashed down in road. (I have a video tape of accident to show my car fell in the road, with no outside force causing accident…
Speed control
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables.
While driving at 45 MPH vehicle suddenly accelerated to 70 MPH. Brake pedal was depressed to reduce speed, but failed to do so. Vehicle stopped when it impacted the highway's medium. The cause of the sudden acceleration was undetermined.
Dt: while driving a child came in front of vehicle and the owner tried to use the horn and it didn't work. The owner noticed about two months ago the horn stopped working. Dealer charged 89 dollars for diagnosis, and reported that there was a problem with the wiring harness. Dealer reports that since the vehicle is…
Air bags
11 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Dealership replaced the clock spring and the wiring assembly to the steering column at consumer's expense of $385.00. Driver horn stopped working caused by faulty clock spring.
- the contact owns 2001 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the problem wasthe passenger's side air bag. The contact had been told that the passenger's side air bag module had been replaced twice. Each time after having the replacement made a couple of days later he could see the corners of the air bag lifting up…
Transmission
9 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
Transmission problem w/ 2001 Nissan Sentra gxe, Nissan refuses to fix the problem. They could not find the problem when the vehicle was brought to them before my warranty was up. Now my warranty is up and they found the problem after six trips to Nissan with the same problem. I need a knew transmission and they refuse…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: These caps are installed to prevent misadjustment of the headlamps.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2001 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (108 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); electrical (44 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); wheels and tires (26 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Sentra have?
- 7 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 2001 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 6th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 236 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.