Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Nissan Sentra, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 76 | 31% |
| Electrical system | 31 | 12% |
| Tires | 16 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 5% |
| Air bags | 9 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 4% |
| Power train | 9 | 4% |
| Engine | 8 | 3% |
| Suspension | 8 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 r
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 aut
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was driving on interstate and car stopped while driving almost causing me to not be able to get out of way of traffic
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 CO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WHEN I AM AT A STOP FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR VIBRATES THEN SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2001 Nissan Sentra. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 TH
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 (
Fix: 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.
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 OPERATI
Fix: 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 A
| Reliability | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 76 of them (31%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.