Severe Issues

2011 NISSAN SENTRA Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. This model year has 141 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

141
Complaints
19
Crashes
6
Fires
14
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
2
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2011 Nissan Sentra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
33
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:3
Fires:3
Injuries:3
#2
33
complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:3
#3
20
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:9
Injuries:6

Considering a 2011 Nissan Sentra?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems3333β€”
Electrical Faults33β€”3β€”
Airbag Malfunctions209β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain18β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues181β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1711β€”
Brake System144β€”β€”
Steering Defects8β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems75β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System611β€”
Unintended Acceleration6β€”β€”β€”
Hydraulic51β€”β€”
Visibility51β€”β€”
Tire Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment2β€”1β€”
Seat Belt Issues11β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures1β€”β€”β€”
Electric11β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 141 most recent complaints

Engine ProblemsMay 24, 2025

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 pro…

Engine ProblemsMay 22, 2025

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 reporte…

Engine ProblemsOct 5, 2024

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 ag…

Transmission / DrivetrainJul 14, 2024

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 rever…

Airbag MalfunctionsJul 5, 2024

Getting a airbag control module open code.

Uncategorized IssuesJun 29, 2024

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…

Engine ProblemsNov 13, 2023

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; howev…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 20, 2023

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.

Seat-Related IssuesAug 10, 2023

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 vehi…

Tire IssuesJul 9, 2023

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

Uncategorized IssuesFeb 23, 2023

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 hi…

Uncategorized IssuesApr 28, 2021

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-…

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 9, 2021

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 FaultsAug 9, 2020

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)Apr 29, 2020

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…

Electrical FaultsMar 5, 2020

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 LU…

Electrical FaultsMar 4, 2020

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2016, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER (APPROXIMATELY 60,000-70,000 MILES) WHEN TEMP DROPPED BELOW 55 DEGREES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, CODE READ P0101. FIND NISSAN HAS POSTED A BULLETIN ON THIS.FOLLOWED ALL GUIDELINES. HE CLEANED THE MAF SENSOR…

Engine ProblemsMar 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KAY NISSAN LOCATED AT (1601 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515…

Electrical FaultsFeb 22, 2020

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…

Electrical FaultsFeb 11, 2020

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…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2011 Nissan Sentra.

Recalls for 2011 Nissan Sentra

2 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

11V579000Invalid Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

10V555000Dec 11, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

2011 Nissan Sentra β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Nissan Sentra reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 141 NHTSA owner complaints, 19 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (33 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (33 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (33 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (20 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Nissan Sentra?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2011 Nissan Sentra?β–Ύ

The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 19 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 141 total NHTSA complaints. 14 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2011 Nissan Sentra. The largest issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2011 Nissan Sentra?β–Ύ

The 2011 Nissan Sentra has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2011 Nissan Sentra

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.