Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Nissan Sentra problems

Owners filed 142 complaints about the 2011 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA between Jan 2011 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (34).

Complaints
142
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system34
  2. Engine30
  3. Air bags20
  4. Power train18
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)17
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Steering8
  8. Structure7
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6
  10. Vehicle speed control6
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  12. Visibility5
  13. Engine and engine cooling4
  14. Tires3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201119
20127
20136
201415
201514
201613
20179
201821
201916
20208
20212
20220
20235
20244
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

34 reports3 fires2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that several days later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that a heavy voltage overload had caused a hole in the ECM. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that an unknown recall with a similar failure was performed in 2012. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Electrical system, Engine and engine coolingODI 11749986

Engine

30 reports3 crashes3 fires
“I purchased a Nissan vehicle that was represented as reliable and safe. Considering I’m a single mother also still young enough to wanna live not be on the highway and have my car declined speed and a tractor trailer almost hit me like that’s already happened. This is a known problem. Yeah I can’t get any help However, the vehicle has ongoing transmission problems that significantly impact its drivability and safety. Upon reviewing the paperwork, I discovered the vehicle was previously with a salvage company, a fact that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. This lack of transparency is unacceptable and has caused me considerable distress and unexpected repair costs. I am requesting Nissan’s urgent attention to this matter, including a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history and any potential recalls or service bulletins related to these transmission issues. As a consumer, I expect better disclosure and support from Nissan, especially regarding vehicles with known defects or salvage histories. I urge you to take responsibility and help resolve this matter promptly to ensure customer safety and trust. Thank you for your immediate attention…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2025EngineODI 11662893

Air bags

20 reports9 crashes
“I was in the highway at about 60 mph and the air bag light came on also the check engine light and I heard a sound and my car lost power I was able to get to the side lane then when it stopped all the way I started the car but would not go pass 30 mph and would barely go on reverse took it to mechanic they said it was the transmission tried to charge me $ 4,700 haven’t drove it since”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2024Power train, Air bags, EngineODI 11601912

Power train

18 reports
“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 SHAKE THE CAR IN A VIOLENT MANNER. I HAVE HAD ERROR CODES P0101 AND P0725 COME UP AND DISSAPEAR THROUGH A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. I HAVE HAD TO INSTALL A NEW OEM MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TO TRY TO FIX P0101 AND IT HAS RETURNED ON AND OFF. THE CAR HAS BEEN ACTING MUCH WEAKER THAN BEFORE AND WOULD HAVE LOTS OF HESITATION WHENEVER YOU WOULD GIVE IT ANY GAS. I HAVE TRIED TO SEARCH ONLINE TO FIX THIS BUT HAVE COME UP WITH NO DEFINITE ANSWER. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE RELIABLE AND THAT IS WHAT I EXPECTED WHEN THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED YET FOR IT TO START FAILING BEFORE THE 100K MARK, IT SHOWS HOW DEFECTIVE NISSAN PRODUCTS ARE. I HAVE PUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX IT ONLY TO FIND OUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED.A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS. GUARANTEED LAST TIME I WILL BUY A NISSAN FOR SURE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2019Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11192235

Electronic stability control (esc)

17 reports1 crash1 fire
“HAVING ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY. HAVE TO STOP AND TURN OFF CAR AND ALL LIGHTS. PUSH THE ABS LIGHT BUTTON AND START CAR AGAIN TO REPEAT. HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. CAR HAS STOPPED TWICE ON ITS ON WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. WAS DRIVING FROM OUT OF TOWN ON BACK ROADS AND HAD TO STOP ABOUT EVERY 10 MINUTES TO STOP AND TURN OFF CAR. NOTICE IT WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE. DIFFERENCE IN ROADS FROM HOME. ROADS I WAS ON WERE SEVERAL WINDING ROAD. DID NOT GOT BETTER EVEN IF I DROVE SLOWLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2020Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11322695

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2016, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER (APPROXIMATELY 60,000-70,000 MILES) WHEN TEMP DROPPED BELOW 55 DEGREES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, CODE READ P0101. FIND NISSAN HAS POSTED A BULLETIN ON THIS.FOLLOWED ALL GUIDELINES. HE CLEANED THE MAF SENSOR. LIGHT WENT OFF. NEXT, DAY LIGHT COMES BACK ON. GO BACK, HAVE SENSOR REPLACED. LIGHT COMES BACK ON. CHECKS FOR VACUUM LEAKS, CHANGE AIR FILTER BLOW OUT AIR BOX AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. LIGHT STILL ON. TAKE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSIS EVERY FEW MONTHS TO ENSURE ITS STILL THE SAME THING AND NOTHING ELSE. NO PROBLEM WITH CARS DRIVABILITY. FAST FORWARD TO 2019, VDC/ ABS LIGHTS COME ON. CALL NISSAN, TELL ME THEY CANT HELP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NISAN HAS POSTED BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES FOR REPAIRS VIA THEIR BULLETIN, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE $700 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. LIGHTS GO OFF. BUT THAT STARTED A NEW ISSUE. MY VDC/ABS LIGHTS WILL SPONTANEOUSLY COME ON CAUSING MY CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-30MPH (OR 2,500 RPM) CAUSING ME TO STOP DEAD IN TRAFFIC, PARK THE CAR, TAKE THE KEY OUT (IT MUST BE OUT!), WAIT A FEW SECONDS, TURN IT BACK ON. FAST FORWARD…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11316169
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.