CarModelProblems.com

2011 Nissan Sentra Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
142Complaints
2Recalls
19Crashes
6Fires
14Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (21.8% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System31 · 21.8%RecalledRecall 11V579000 · Recall 10V555000
Engine30 · 21.1%No official action
Air Bags20 · 14.1%No official action
Power Train18 · 12.7%No official action
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)17 · 12%No official action
Steering8 · 5.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE30 · 21.1%
AIR BAGS20 · 14.1%
Unspecified / other18 · 12.7%
POWER TRAIN18 · 12.7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)17 · 12%
STEERING8 · 5.6%
SERVICE BRAKES8 · 5.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY7 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6 · 4.2%

Percentages are the share of the 142 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables

NHTSA campaign 11V579000 · 2011 · reported 12/15/2011

THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables

NHTSA campaign 10V555000 · 2010 · reported 11/12/2010

THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL DATABASE AND IT DID NOT COME BACK AS BEING ONE OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED…”NHTSA complaint 11240882 — filed 07/31/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE DASHBOARD LIGHT FLICKERED FOR AWHILE AND NOW DOES NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL. I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE GAS GAUGE, MILEAGE OR TEMPERATURE…”NHTSA complaint 11205706 — filed 05/06/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“DRIVING DOWN OFF RAMP AND CAR JUST SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START.”NHTSA complaint 11192638 — filed 03/30/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2020118720131921201516152017332720191822021562024222026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 31 of 142 NHTSA complaints (21.8%), followed by engine (30), air bags (20), unspecified/other issues (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have?

142 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V579000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Nissan Sentra's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.