YearToAvoid

2011 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 40 engine complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra, 28% of its 142 total complaints for the model year. The median mileage at failure is 75,500, and 3 of these reports involved fires. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
40
28% of 142
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
75,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report engine compartment fires, sometimes preceded by a burning odor or abnormal vibration while driving at low speed.
  • Several owners describe the vehicle stalling suddenly at highway speeds, including at 40 mph, 60 mph, and 70 mph, with the engine losing power without warning.
  • Some stalling incidents were linked to a failed mass air flow sensor or a fuse link problem in the electrical system feeding the engine.
  • One owner reported a catalytic converter replacement that did not resolve repeated stalling and warning-light illumination.
  • One report describes an engine failure severe enough that a rod went through the engine block, requiring full engine replacement.
  • Stalling has led to loss of vehicle control in at least one case, resulting in a crash into a gate.

When 2011 Nissan Sentra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 20, 2011, latest Jul 13, 2026.

2011 Nissan Sentra engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2011Aug 2013Sep 2014Dec 2016Apr 2018Mar 2019Nov 2023
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2011 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2014 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Nissan Sentra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sentra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201053 (37%)
  2. 201140 (28%)
  3. 201254 (30%)
  4. 2013133 (21%)
  5. 201488 (23%)
  6. 2015101 (29%)
  7. 201668 (25%)
  8. 201769 (30%)
  9. 201838 (21%)
  10. 201929 (13%)
  11. 202014 (7%)
  12. 202112 (9%)
  13. 202214 (17%)
  14. 20234 (20%)
  15. 20243 (8%)
  16. 20255 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA lists 40 engine complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra, which is 28% of the 142 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Nissan Sentra engine problems?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the engine complaints on the 2011 Nissan Sentra.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Sentra engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2011 Nissan Sentra is 75,500 miles.
Did the 2011 Nissan Sentra engine problems cause fires or crashes?
Yes. NHTSA data for this engine problem area includes 3 fires and 3 crashes, with 3 injuries reported.
How does the 2011 Sentra compare to other model years for engine complaints?
The 2011 Sentra's engine complaints are 28% of its total complaints, close to 2010 (37%) and 2012 (30%), while later years like 2020 (7%) and 2021 (9%) show a much lower share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.