2011 Nissan Sentra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 34 of 142 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 144 in 2010 to 142 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–3,250 | 2,150–3,250 | 2,150–3,250 | 2,150–3,250 | 1,900–2,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–29 | 24–29 | 24–29 | 24–29 | 30–33 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–26 / 29–34 | 21–26 / 28–34 | 21–26 / 28–34 | 21–26 / 28–34 | 27–30 / 35–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–370 | 306–370 | 306–370 | 306–370 | 267–297 | |
| Complaints filed | 55 | 144 | 142 | 180 | 638 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 11 | 19 | 10 | 24 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 20 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Nissan Sentra?
Engine: 34 of 142 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan Sentra get?
EPA rates it 24–29 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan Sentra?
EPA estimates $2,150–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 28 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 11V579000 · Dec 12, 2011
Defect: 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).
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 10V555000 · Nov 12, 2010
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.