Vehicle report

2011 Nissan Sentra

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2011 Nissan Sentra, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 2 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

2

Open recalls

15

Complaints

4

Overall safety

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2011 Nissan Sentra recalls (2)

  • 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 THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).

    Remedy: 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

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2011 Nissan Sentra safety ratings

4

Overall

3

Front

3

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2011 Nissan Sentra owner complaints (15)

  • 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 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 to this serious concern.

  • 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 P0776. I purchased this car 3–4 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, I’m now stuck with a car that’s 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 engineering. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s harmful. This kind of failure makes life significantly harder for people who are already struggling. I’ve contacted Consumer Affairs. I was disconnected mid-call and haven’t received help opening a case. I now need reliable transportation to care for my child and maintain the progress I’ve worked so hard for. I’m requesting that Nissan review this case and offer some form of goodwill assistance or reimbursement. I should not have to choose between feeding my family and fixing a transmission that should have never failed this early. Please take responsibility. Do better for the people who trusted your brand.

  • 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 afterwards.

  • POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE

    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

  • AIR BAGS

    Getting a airbag control module open code.

  • 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.

  • ENGINE

    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.

  • 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.

  • SEATS

    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.

  • TIRES

    driving on the freeway an car just couldn't pull it literally stopped had to pullover in I was strained for hours

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I was driving my car to work between 9 and 10pm on/around February 5, 2023. I lost control of my car and it couldn’t brake. I couldn’t 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 wasn’t 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 isn’t 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 it’s 2011. I am concerned about if my car was fixed for the problem i took it on for and also if it was manipulated with old parts because it is not 2008. I went to the police in Monroeville PA they helped me find correct VIN. I bought my car at Subaru and they said my car VIN is as they said and is 2011. Did Nissan fix my car? I don't trust they did if documentation of VIN and Year are wrong, I’m now concerned about fraud possibilities. I took my car to Nissan Feb 15. It started to work fine on Feb 5 when I restarted it but I needed them to check why it didn’t work that night; until I restarted it. They said it might be coding which they fixed.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    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

  • POWER TRAIN

    TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 92K MILES. STARTED TO "KICK" ON THE HIGHWAY AND BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME IT'S TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    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

  • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

    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.

Checking a used Nissan Sentra before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2011 Sentra in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Sentra's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2011 Nissan Sentra in Alberta:

See other model years of the Nissan Sentra, or browse more Nissan models.

2011 Nissan Sentra — questions and answers

Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?+

Our check found 2 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2011 Nissan Sentra safe?+

The 2011 Nissan Sentra has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2011 Nissan Sentra VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Nissan free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Nissan dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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