2011 Nissan Sentra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Nissan Sentra has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 142 complaints, 2 recalls, and 6 fires, with engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Sentra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 142
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 14
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23.5 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
Top 2011 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine40 (28%)
- Electrical System34 (24%)
- Brakes28 (20%)
- Airbags20 (14%)
- Other19 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (13%)
- Structure & Body10 (7%)
- Steering8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (5%)
- Fuel System6 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report under-hood fires, some occurring while driving at speeds like 25 or 40 mph and followed by a burning smell before the fire spread.
- Some engine fires reportedly led drivers to exit the vehicle just before flames grew serious enough to total the car.
- Electrical system complaints include an under-dash or rear-end fire reported at low mileage, including one incident at 3,987 miles and another near 9,000 miles.
- One owner described the vehicle stalling at 40 mph and crashing into a gate at 31,000 miles.
- A sun visor design was reported to obstruct visibility and was linked to a crash.
- Airbag deployment in a side-impact crash was reported to cause a wrist injury.
2011 Nissan Sentra recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V579000Dec 15, 2011Electrical System33,803 vehicles
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. This can result in a voltage drop that may cause difficulty starting the vehicle and could cause damage to the engine control module (ECM).
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 10V555000Nov 12, 2010Electrical System13,737 vehicles
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. This can result in a voltage drop that may cause difficulty starting the vehicle and could cause damage to the engine control module.
Risk: 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.
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.
2011 Nissan Sentra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Sentra a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the Sentra. Engine complaints made up 28% of reports, the largest share.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
- NHTSA complaints point to the engine (28% of complaints, median failure mileage 75,500), electrical system (24%), and brakes (20%) as the top problem areas.
- Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2011 Sentra, both involving the positive battery terminal in the electrical system, one from 2010 and one from 2011. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 Sentra compare to other Sentra years?
- The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 50 is worse than the 2008-2010 and 2012 model years, which earned Good verdicts, but better than 2013-2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, which are rated Avoid.
- Did the 2011 Nissan Sentra catch fire?
- NHTSA complaints include 6 reported fires for the 2011 Sentra, several tied to engine and electrical system complaints, with crashes reported in 19 cases and 14 injuries total.