VehicleVerdict

2001 Nissan Sentra electrical system problems

The 2001 Nissan Sentra has 50 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

50

Electrical System complaints

16%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Sentra electrical system complaints by model year69 complaints1984: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 15 complaints1993: 9 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 11 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 14 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 50 complaints2002: 60 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 12 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 58 complaints2011: 50 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 46 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 54 complaints2017: 38 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 42 complaints2021: 38 complaints2022: 24 complaints2023: 8 complaints2024: 7 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Sentra electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V477000Electrical SystemNovember 14, 2003 · 276,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

What owners report

“MY ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPHS ON THE FREEWAY, THE VERY DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR YET ANOTHER DEFECT SENSOR. IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT CRASH AND KILL ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN, I HAVE REQUESTED IT BE CHECKED FOR A SHORT IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2002 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2001 Nissan Sentra have?

NHTSA has 50 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Sentra electrical system — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Nissan Sentra electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 03V477000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.