Total Complaints
199 filings
NISSAN SENTRA · model year
199 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011NISSANSENTRA carries 199 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 8 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 3/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 SENTRA is electrical system with 30 filings, followed by engine (30) and air bags (20). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2011 SENTRA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
199 filings
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30 |
| ENGINE | 30 |
| AIR BAGS | 20 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 17 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| VISIBILITY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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 RES
I purchased a Nissan vehicle that was represented as reliable and safe. Considering Iâm 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 thatâs already happened. This is a known problem. Yeah I canât 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 Nissanâs urgent attention to this matter, including a thorough investigation into the vehicleâs 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 vehicle
To Whom It May Concern, Iâm 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 Iâm experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reportedâjerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check engine codes P1778 and P0776. I purchased this car 3â4 months ago as a single mother trying to rebuild my life. I chose this vehicle specifically because I thought it would be a dependable, affordable option to get back on my feet. Instead, Iâm now stuck with a car thatâs barely driveable, a dangerous transmission, and no support. It feels like punishment for trying to do things the right way. I understand warranties expire, but Nissan is a million-dollar company, and the CVT transmission issues are a known and ongoing defect. You should not continue to profit while customers are left stranded and burdened with thousands in repairs due to faulty engi
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 afterwards.
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 havenât drove it since
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 havenât drove it since
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 havenât drove it since
Getting a airbag control module open code.
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.
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 notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Mileage: 160,000
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.
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, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Mileage: 147,000
driving on the freeway an car just couldn't pull it literally stopped had to pullover in I was strained for hours
I was driving my car to work between 9 and 10pm on/around February 5, 2023. I lost control of my car and it couldnât brake. I couldnât have been hit if it was rush hour or ran into a car or someone. I turned to a around on the right to get out of traffic. The road had a little hill, I started to slide down the hill. I took my car to Nissan in Monroeville PA. When I picked my car back they had wrong VIN number and Year for my car. They said they scan the VIN not type it so the at wasnât a typo. I am concerned that they said they changed codes and no main issues and mentioned some issues but the documentation was all wrong about a car with a VIN and Year that isnât mine and under my family information. I am concerned about if my car is okay, and why Nissan gave me wrong VIN with two wrong errors in the numbers and letters and wrong year and they also might or might not have fixed problem. They said my car was 2008 but itâs 2011. I am concerned about if my car was fixed for th
I WENT ON A ROAD TRIP THAT WAS 240 MILES EACH WAY. WE WERE ABOUT HALF WAY WHEN YOU BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I REALIZED THE CAR WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AT THAT HALF WAY POINT BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING ,CLANKING, STALKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MY CAR COULD ONLY GO 60MPH ON THE WAY HOME ON I-15. PEOPLE WERE FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AND RIDING MY ASS. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET OFF THE NEAREST EXIT, IN PAYSON UTAH, JUST MAKE SURE I WOULD BE OKAY. NORMALLY MY CAR GETS ABOUT 36MPG ON THE FREEWAY BUT IT WAS GETTING ABOUT 20MPG ON THE WAY HOME. INITIALLY I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY CHANGED THE FLUID CHARGED ME $286.00 AND THEY RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP MECHANIC DIAGNOSED BAD INTERNAL PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. WITH ESTIMATED REPAIRS OF $3500.00. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS BEEN 120,140 MILES. IT BROKE DOWN 04/18/2021
Mileage: 119,850
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 92K MILES. STARTED TO "KICK" ON THE HIGHWAY AND BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME IT'S TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Mileage: 92,000
THE CAR CHARGER REFUSES TO ADHERE TO A CAR CHARGER THAT CAME AS AN ACCESSORY WITH A CELL PHONE PACKAGE.BUT MY PHONE CAR CHARGER WORKS FOR ANY OTHER RANDOM C- CHARGER THAT MY CELL PHONES USES
THE CAR CHARGER REFUSES TO ADHERE TO A CAR CHARGER THAT CAME AS AN ACCESSORY WITH A CELL PHONE PACKAGE.BUT MY PHONE CAR CHARGER WORKS FOR ANY OTHER RANDOM C- CHARGER THAT MY CELL PHONES USES
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.
Mileage: 10,000
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.
Mileage: 10,000
LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM READING I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY VDC OFF LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND MY CAR WILL START JERKING AND HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING, I THEN HAVE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW, THIS LUCKILY HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME IN THE CITY AS AFTER IT HAPPENED I WAS TOO WORRIED TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. WITH THIS MANY ISSUES/COMPLAINTS NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE
Mileage: 93,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.