Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 stated that several days later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that a heavy voltage overload had caused a hole in the ECM. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that an unknown recall with a similar failure was performed in 2012. …
Electrical system: battery: cables - Nissan Sentra 2011 - my car was running well for all these years, no problems at all, but one day, didn't want to start, it didn't make no noise, nothing. My husband checked the battery right away, it was a little bit loose and he adjusted it. The car wanted to start but never did completely. The tow guy said it looked like the key was deprogrammed so we were hoping it was just that. So we towed the car to Nissan dealership and found out it was the engine control module. It costed more than $2,000 dollars to get if fixed. Searching online I found out that Nissan Sentra's 2010-2011 have a recall on this issue. The article says: (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. …
Takata recall I was driving my car and came to a stop sign and the whole car shut off, while I was in drive. My battery was corroded and so we thought that was the issue and changed the battery and the problem worsended up until yesterday while I was riding to work, I arrived at a stop light and before the light even turned red the whole car shut off and locked up. The battery is new, oil had been changed hat same day as the air filter and the mass airflow sensor were changed. The mass airflow sensor was changed because that's what I was told was why my engine light was on. The very day the same issues occurred and the whole car stopped and did not start again. …
While driving to work headed towards the altamont pass on highway 580 west.just past grant line rd at 6:15 a.m. On 03/17/2015, my car started to hesitate, then immediately lost all power with no prior warning to be able to pull over. I was stranded in the second lane over from the fast lane. The vehicle behind me came so close to hitting me. I could have been seriously injured in an automobile crash driving this speed during heavy commute conditions. I had no prior warning, such as a check engine light prior to this. Highway patrol and the tow service received notification from aaa and towed my car to a safe location until aaa arrived . My vehicle was towed to the Nissan dealer. I regularly take my vehicle fto the Nissan dealer for service. I am afraid to drive my car to work any longer being I commute 54 miles to and from work on a daily basis. …
I was driving down a highway interstate car started bucking and not accelerating when I put foot on gas. I was alone and it was dark in the middle of the night. I was so scared. It could have caused a serious accident. I saw a vdc light was on and that had never happened before. I checked the dashboard and saw the vdc button and tried pressing it and nothing helped. When I was finally able to pull over on the shoulder, very upset, I looked online on my phone and someone recommended to turn car off for a few minutes and then restart it. That seemed to help so I went on my way. I see many others saying they have had the same thing happen. Maybe this should be seriously looked into and possibly a recall on it.2018
"Takata recall", car has days where it won't start due to problems with the ECM module. I bought the car like that and when it happened I thought it was the battery and we switched out the battery, however a month later it did the same thing. I noticed that there is a recall on the battery terminal that May effect the ECM on some modern vehicles, however when I took it to Nissan they said based on my VIN number my vehicle isn't affected. My car is doing exactly what the recall states, so I believe that my VIN number needs to be included in the recall list.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning and would not restart occasionally. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 11V579000 (electrical system) and 10V555000 (electrical system). The dealer (94 Nissan of south holland, [phone], located at 16269 van dam rd, south holland, il 60473) diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to Nissan of van nuys (5425 van nuys blvd, sherman oaks, ca) where it was confirmed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and could not be cranked or restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the holder fuse link needed to be replaced. Additionally, it was diagnosed that a rod went through the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V579000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
All ignition coils and spark plugs are failing after 2 months of being replaced. $700 was paid back on May 20, 2019 to replace all coils and spark plugs. Engine misfired again the other day and same issue diagnosed with coil/plug failure! There is an underlying issue that Nissan needs to have addressed within engine as something is causing the coils to continually misfire! My car was driving straight the other day on Sunday when the vehicle started to buck wildly and check engine light flashing on.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Nissan Sentra, 24% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Nissan Sentra electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-579 (cables, Dec 15, 2011); NHTSA recall 10V-555 (cables, Nov 12, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Sentra electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.