2011 Nissan Sentra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (20) · Electrical System (15) · Power Train (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Sentra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
116 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2011-12-15 · campaign 11V579000 · 33,803 vehicles
Defect: 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).
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.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2010-11-12 · campaign 10V555000 · 13,737 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) · 107,000 mi“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 s…”
2025-05-24 · Engine“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 tran…”
2025-05-22 · Engine“to whom it may concern, i’m writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with nissan over the cvt failure in my 2011 nissan sentra. there are no active recalls listed for my vehicle, yet i’m experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reported—jerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check engine codes p1778 and…”
2024-10-05 · Engine“i was driving at low speed 20 mph , stopped at the stop sign , when i pressed acceleration the vehicle did not respond . i checked dash and i could see all engine warnings light up. i switched off the vehicle and started again it started back with no issues and started running again. the vehicle sounds normal .there was no engine related warnings a…”
2024-07-14 · Power Train“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 char…”
2024-07-05 · Air Bags“getting a airbag control module open code.…”
2024-06-29 · Unknown Or Other“i am having issues with registering car due to failed emissions for the mass air flow sensor as well as the cvt light that comes on while driving. the cvt light pops on out of no where which makes the car shake and not want to move too well. to be driving on freeway and have this happen would be very dangerous if not fatal. …”
2023-11-13 · Engine · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 nissan sentra. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was…”
2023-10-20 · Air Bags“the airbag light, came on a few months ago. unknown why or exact date. air bag inspection, has outrageous cost, to just diagnose why it's on. i have never had a issue with air bags with this car or another car. this is uncommon. especially with, no car incidents.…”
2023-08-10 · Seats · 147,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 nissan sentra. the contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the driver's side seat fractured. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the seat needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and opened a case…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.