KnownCarProblems2011 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Sentra, most often about the electrical (24% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles). It is 19th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 Nissan Sentra problems
Electrical
34 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, starter assembly.
I was driving down highway 138 union city when my vehicle started to shutter like it was going to stall. When I stopped at the red light the vehicle electrical load dropped and the car would not crank back up. I was able to jump it off and the car had no issues I had the battery tested and alternator tested both are…
The dashboard light flickered for awhile and now does not light up at all. I am unable to see the gas gauge, mileage or temperature. The doors no longer unlock when I turn off the ignition nor does the beeper sound that my headlights are still on when the ignition is turned off. I have been to the Nissan dealer twice…
Engine
34 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and could not be cranked or restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the holder fuse link needed to be replaced. Additionally, it was diagnosed that a rod went through the engine and the engine needed to be…
Car has 75,000 miles. Just had it serviced. The brake lights come on, then next start, they are off. The car stalls on every turn and steering freezes.
Air bags
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles.
Check engine light is on, when I accelerated on the gas it the car started to jerk and it wouldn't let me get past 40 MPH. After I stopped at a stop sign, the car would not move faster than 20 MPH before it started jerking. I called a mcclarty Nissan dealership in north little rock and they told me that the recall…
We driving out of state and when the climb started the car started to lose power and was driving only 25 miles an hour. We arrived at a dealer of Nissan and the diagnosis was that the transmission oil is heated and needed to install an additional cooling kit ...my car has 112600 miles and that happens on may,26,2016.
Transmission
18 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
It is ridiculous that so many people with the same car have had the same exact problem and no investigation or action has been done by the NHTSA yet. As others have complained before, I have had moments where my car would have the vdc light go off and the car would begin to not accelerate over 2,000 rpms and would…
Cvt transmission whines and appears to be slipping when going uphill - the rpms increase but the car is not going faster. There seems to be an ongoing issue with Nissan CVT transmissions. They extended the warranty to 10 years/120k miles for 2004-2010 cvts. Unfortunately, mine is a 2011.
Stability control
17 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles.
Engine to stall while the vehicle is in motion on a major highway and it was not be possible to restart the engine soon after it stopped, increasing the risk of a crash. According to the local Nissan dealer, the ECM module needs to be replaced. These symptoms are similar to recall#10v555000 and #11v579000.
It is ridiculous that so many people with the same car have had the same exact problem and no investigation or action has been done by the NHTSA yet. As others have complained before, I have had moments where my car would have the vdc light go off and the car would begin to not accelerate over 2,000 rpms and would…
Brakes
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact engaged the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate. After applying force to the brake pedal several times the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer and dealer regarding…
I had the same problems when it was only 20k miles { 2 years with warranty}. They didn't fix the problem and I was not happy. On 3rd year (before 3 years or 36 months expiration date), I sent it to Nissan dealership to inspect and they could not find any issue (no action or anything been fixed). It keep happening and…
Steering
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles.
Malfunction of the steering, I will be driving and all of a sudden I don't have any steering! Very dangerous when I make a turn its happen to me no steering. Ps light comes on, on a busy intersection
Car has 75,000 miles. Just had it serviced. The brake lights come on, then next start, they are off. The car stalls on every turn and steering freezes.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Nissan Sentra recalls
Electrical: cables
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Electrical: cables
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2011 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (34 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); engine (34 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles); air bags (20 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 15, 2011 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 19th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 142 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.