Nissan · Sentra · 2011
2011 Nissan Sentra
2
Recalls
141
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 2 recalls and 141 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2011 Nissan Sentra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 17 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2011 Nissan Sentra currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 141 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are electrical system (17), engine (15), air bags (14).
- Vehicle
- 2011 Nissan Sentra
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 141
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 11V579000December 15, 2011
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).
Remedy Status
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 ID: 10V555000November 12, 2010
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
141 totalENGINE
May 17, 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...
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ENGINE
May 16, 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...
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ENGINE
Oct 4, 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...
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POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
Jul 4, 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...
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AIR BAGS
Jul 2, 2024
Getting a airbag control module open code.
SEATS
Aug 3, 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...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 6, 2023
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...
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AIR BAGS
May 15, 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.
ENGINE
Mar 1, 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...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 5, 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...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 141 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2011 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have?
The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has received 141 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Nissan Sentra.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
The 2011 Nissan Sentra received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Nissan Sentra are electrical system (17 reports), engine (15 reports), air bags (14 reports).
Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.