Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 auto mechanics. While the engines shuts down, the Service Engine Soon light came on followed by the Battery Icon and Oil Lamp Icon. In the past I had most if not all my catalytic converters and O2 sensors replaced but the problem persisted. Some mechanics stated it was electrical but offered no solution. I did had an oil changed and battery tested a week earlier but no issue was found. My most recent mechanic checked it out and told me it's not the battery nor the alternator, they're both still good. I had to leave my car over the weekends for a full diagnostic.
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 replacing and next thing later i have no spark i did my diagnostics check wiring fuses relays sensors and still no spark i qent to carfax and notice it as 2 recalls related to my no spark issue regading ckp sensor and cmp sensors and the other recall about a internal problem with ecm i tried calling dealership they know its a incomplete repair but seems like they dont want fix or do something about it now i do need my car to go and repair my customers vehicles and my car dont want to start due to the recalls and from what i read about on nhtsa said that the manufacturer by law is required to assist with a refund, temporory vehicle borrowed or funds for transportation if …
Car constantly shuts off while driving, steering and brakes lock up as well. It does this idling at lights and while driving making turns. Very dangerous! I have replaced several sensors (at my expense) to try to keep the car going, but I'm terrified to drive it as I fear it will stall again in traffic and potentially kill me and my family. Checked my VIN against the many recalls that would cause these problems and states that none of these recalls apply to this car! Nissan used to be a good company, now it's just a lemon factory! Not to mention their dealership service is absolutely useless! I don't see how such dangerous and potentially deadly issues do not have recalls on them!!!
Randomly while driving in a highway at 60 MPH the engine suddenly stops running and then turns back on. This could result in a crash since I lose control of the vehicle at that speed. I noticed there is a recall issued by NHTSA id # 03V455000 for Nissan Sentra 2001 regarding this issue. I contacted Nissan by phone and they informed there are no recalls pending on my vehicle. I also contacted Nissan by e-mail if my vehicle was or was not included in this recall. If not, I would like to know if safercar.gov can include my vehicle in the recall and have it fixed.
On December 28, 2003, my 2001 Nissan Sentra caught on fire while driving through reno nevada. Another car brought to our attention that our car was on fire. When my daughter pulled over and opened the hood, she noticed a small fire in the rear of the engine. She managed to put the fire out with water. Upon inspection at the Nissan dealership in nevada, they noted some object was caught between the catalytic converter and the car frame. The fire melted one cv boot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled and the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Was driving with children in the car on the highway home from work, and car shut off and stalled. Losing all power, and making it hard to steer off the road. Took it to a local car shop, they had told me there was a recall regarding this issue. And call Nissan consumer affairs and they had told me there were no open claims .
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.
I was driving on interstate and car stopped while driving almost causing me to not be able to get out of way of traffic
1&2) driving down the highway at 65 MPH. The car suddenly starts to shudder and becomes hard to control. Slowed down to 35 MPH, still shuddering but not as much. Stopped at a light, the car dies in the middle of the road. Other cars veer around me. Tried to start the car again immediately. Doesn't start. Wait 5 minutes in the middle of the road (it was raining and hailing at the time) and try to start again. This time it starts but idles very heavily. At this point the check engine soon light comes on. I tried to drive a few more blocks, and the car almost ended up dying in an intersection. At that point I pulled over right after rolling slowly out of the intersection and waited for a tow truck. The car would still start but I didn't trust it to drive it. 3) the mechanic tells me that the failure is the mass air flow sensor. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket May break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface roughness and the shape of the material cut-line.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began December 15, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter engine. The engine could stop running while being driven due to a defective crank position sensor. This could also result in the "service engine soon" warning light coming on or reduced engine power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Owner notification began December 10, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
Engine complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Nissan Sentra, 46% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is engine (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Sentra engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-511 (engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2003); NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003); NHTSA recall 01V-357 (gasoline, Nov 16, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Sentra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.