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2001 Nissan Sentra problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Nissan Sentra is engine and cooling, typically around 61,000 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical Sentra model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
60/100
Owner complaints
236
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
67
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
23-26mpg

The worst 2001 Nissan Sentra problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Nissan Sentra

Stalling 43Check engine light 22Loss of power 6Tire blowout 6Won't start 6Jerking 5

Recalls 7

Engine and engine coolingReported December 10, 2003 · 70 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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 number 03V511000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported November 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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 number 03V455000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: moduleReported November 14, 2003 · 276,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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 number 03V477000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported December 12, 2001 · 81,393 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
These caps are installed to prevent misadjustment of the headlamps.
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 number 01V376000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasolineReported November 16, 2001 · 103,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the engine stops running while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash.
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 number 01V357000 · Recall details

WheelsReported August 29, 2001 · 115,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Separation of the wheel from the vehicle while being operated could result in a vehicle crash.
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 number 01V277000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported May 23, 2001 · 101,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
The bolts could fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 01V174000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2001 Nissan Sentra

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Nissan Sentra 67

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 67 bulletins for the 2001 Nissan Sentra

2001 Nissan Sentra fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD2330-3226
2.0L 4‑cylFWD2127-2823-24

What 2001 Nissan Sentra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Well thankfully it did not happened while driving i stopped it one day to replace the engine (a lil more info i am a mobile mechanic registered with the state of CA) with some year make and model and sub model i finish replacing and next thing later i have no spark i did my diagnostics check wiring fuses relays sensors and still no spark i qent to carfax and notice it as 2 recalls related to my no spark issue regading ckp sensor and cmp sensors and the other recall about a internal problem with ecm i tried calling dealership they know its a incomplete repair but seems like they dont want fix or do something about it now i do need my car to go and repair my customers vehicles and my car dont want to start due to the recalls and from what i read about on the federal safety agency said that the manufacturer by law is required to assist with a refund, temporory vehicle borrowed or funds for transportation if they cant fix, or shortesh in parts in the mean time or something like that i called about 3 times today first tried to make an appointment and they said no reponse with parts depertment okay we hang up so i call again right away but this time i went directly to parts department and asked for the related parts they said they had them in stock then i commented about my recalls and then they transfer me to appointment department and they told me parts department aint answering i told her i just got transfered feom parts department they said they have the parts in stock so whats the problem she didnt said nothing and only said we will give u a call back for ur appointment i never got a call back 5 hours later i called again something just covering up lie after lie.

Filed Feb 18, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · AR

I have '01 Nissan Sentra. Over the years I kept having my car auto shut off while driving. My recent incident occurs on 2/17/22 while driving on a freeway at 70mph that left me stranded. I had it towed to the nearest auto mechanics. While the engines shuts down, the Service Engine Soon light came on followed by the Battery Icon and Oil Lamp Icon. In the past I had most if not all my catalytic converters and O2 sensors replaced but the problem persisted. Some mechanics stated it was electrical but offered no solution. I did had an oil changed and battery tested a week earlier but no issue was found. My most recent mechanic checked it out and told me it's not the battery nor the alternator, they're both still good. I had to leave my car over the weekends for a full diagnostic.

Filed Nov 2, 2021 · Acceleration, Body · OH

I was driving on interstate and car stopped while driving almost causing me to not be able to get out of way of traffic

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · Engine · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator flashed and then remained lit. Multiple independent mechanics inspected the vehicle, checked the diagnostic trouble codes, and indicated that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact experienced a no crank to start condition, reduced engine power, and the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) and 01v357000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the failure experienced was the same as listed in the recall campaigns. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and had not verified if the part was still available or if a newly designed part had been developed. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Nov 7, 2017 · Engine · 6,100 miles · MD

When I am at a stop for a red light the car vibrates then shuts off.

Filed Sep 19, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 88,000 miles · MN

Gas pedal sticks at idle that have to press hard to get moving g again and the vehicle surges forward once the pedal is unstuck. Happens when stopped at stop lights waiting for green signal or stop signs.

Filed Mar 1, 2017 · Electrical · 164,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan sentra. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the ignition failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Filed Dec 26, 2016 · Engine · FL

The car is jerking and the engine light is one and the place where I took it show a recall of the crank position sensor issue. I put in my VIN on your site and it said that there is no issue but yes its showing up. What is need to be done to get this corrected by nissan?

Filed Aug 1, 2016 · Engine · 95,000 miles · KS

Was driving at a speed of around 45 MPH on a busy colorado roadway and the car all of the sudden stalled. Lost engine power, power steering and brakes. Luckily coasted to the shoulder. The car had to be towed to an automotive shop. It was diagnosed and it was determined the crankshaft and camshaft sensors had failed. I called nissan on 7/12/2016 and reported this safety issue (reference number 22954833). On 7/14/2016 I talked to [xxx] at nissan and he said this was recalled in 2003 and an already closed recall. I asked him if he was going to report this incident to nissan engineers department, because it is a safety issue and a recent recall issue. I stated that because the car stalled while driving that put people?s lives at risk. I asked the nissan representative [xxx] if there have been any other complaints with this car's model about the fact that the crankshaft and camshaft sensors are still failing. He said he didn't know. The nissan representative [xxx] stated to me that with the age of the car this is expected to happen with these parts. I stated to him that because the crankshaft and camshaft sensors are still failing, therefore causing a car to stall while driving is a safety issue and should be reported. He said he was not going to report it to anyone. I stated I was going to report it to the federal safety agency, because it is a safety issue and they need to know the issue still exists from their previous recall. The nissan representative [xxx] then stated if you want to contact them go ahead. Please take my submission seriously. If this was recalled in the past and is still happening I fear people's lives are at risk. I hope you have a database that keeps these complaints compiled and if this is happening to other people please get these recalled so the problem can be resolved and no lives are lost. Thank you for your time, I appreciate it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 210,000 miles · UT

Car constantly shuts off while driving, steering and brakes lock up as well. It does this idling at lights and while driving making turns. Very dangerous! I have replaced several sensors (at my expense) to try to keep the car going, but I'm terrified to drive it as I fear it will stall again in traffic and potentially kill me and my family. Checked my VIN against the many recalls that would cause these problems and states that none of these recalls apply to this car! Nissan used to be a good company, now it's just a lemon factory! Not to mention their dealership service is absolutely useless! I don't see how such dangerous and potentially deadly issues do not have recalls on them!!!

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Nissan Sentra

Is the 2001 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Owners have filed 236 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Sentra, 1.3 times a typical Sentra model year.

What is the 2001 Nissan Sentra year score?

The 2001 Nissan Sentra scores 60 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Sentra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Nissan Sentra?

Engine and cooling, with 108 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles. Next is electrical (44).

How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Sentra have?

7 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and exterior lighting.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Nissan Sentra engine?

Yes, 3 recalls: 03V511000, 03V455000, 01V357000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Sentra have bad engine?

The Nissan Sentra model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (153 complaints), 2001 (108 complaints) and 2003 (107 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Nissan Sentra get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Nissan Sentra range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 30-32 highway.

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