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Owner report · 2011 model year

2011 Nissan Sentra

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2011 Nissan Sentra
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

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

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
142
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,150–$3,200
Combined MPG
24–29

Complaints by model year

  1. 552009
  2. 1442010
  3. 1422011
  4. 1802012
  5. 6382013

Where owners report problems

  1. Electrical34 (24%)
  2. Engine34 (24%)
  3. Brakes28 (20%)
  4. Airbags & Restraints20 (14%)
  5. Other19 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Drivetrain18 (13%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20092010201120122013vs. 2011 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,150–3,2002,150–3,2002,150–3,2002,150–3,2001,900–2,100
Combined MPG24–2924–2924–2924–2930–33
City / Highway MPG21–26 / 29–3421–26 / 28–3421–26 / 28–3421–26 / 28–3427–30 / 35–39
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)306–370306–370306–370306–370267–297
Complaints filed55144142180638Not compared
Recalls issued13206Not compared
Crash-involved complaints911191024Not compared
Fire-involved complaints04644Not compared
Injuries reported118141020Not compared
Deaths reported10001Not compared
Configurations compared54444

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 Nov 7, 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–$3,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (variable gear ratios)42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars26 mpg (high)34 mpg (high)29 mpg (high)$2,150 (low)306 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars24 mpg30 mpg26 mpg$2,400342 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic (variable gear ratios)42.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg$2,400342 g/mi
Configuration 4Manual 6-spd42.5LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars21 mpg (low)28 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)$3,200 (high)370 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine343330
Transmission & Drivetrain180000
Fuel System61100
Electrical340300
Brakes284120
Steering80000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires70000
Airbags & Restraints209060
Driver Assistance & Speed Control60000
Body, Seats & Latches105040
Visibility & Lighting61000
Other191030

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 15, 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.