2011 Nissan Sentra Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Part of Generation 6 — 2007–2012.

20102012
Complaints
199
per 10K Sold
17.3
US Sales
114,991
Crashes
26
Fires
8
Injuries
20
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2011 Nissan Sentra Problems

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

#130 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:80,177 mi
Fires:3
#230 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:76,848 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:3
#320 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:64,690 mi
Crash-related:9
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Nissan Sentra.

Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
80,177
Engine Problems
30
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Avg Miles
76,848
Airbags
20
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
Avg Miles
64,690
Transmission / Drivetrain
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,792
Electronic Stability Control
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,395
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,907
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,251
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
37,816
Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,982
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,926
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Nissan Sentra

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~47,540 vehicles.

11V579000Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables
~33,803 affected

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).

10V555000Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables
~13,737 affected

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.

Other Nissan Sentra Years

2011 Nissan Sentra — FAQ

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

Is the 2011 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 199 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 30 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (30 complaints, avg 80,177 mi); Engine Problems (30 complaints, avg 76,848 mi); Airbags (20 complaints, avg 64,690 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,473 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra include 26 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 47,540 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Nissan Sentra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

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

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

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