2001 Nissan Sentra Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 39%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,230miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Nissan Sentra, 39% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,230 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The plastic portion of my oil dipstick broke off on my 2001 Nissan Sentra gxe. This caused the dipstick to fall into the engine. I had to pay for a new dipstick. The new dipstick is also plastic and I anticipate that this will happen again. It does not take a genius to realize that you should not use plastic on an engine part!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10226593, filed 2008-05, 109,000 miles“My 2001 Nissan Sentra se 2.0 litre is in the habit of dying while traveling. If there were no shoulder to pull onto and restart the car a serious rear end collision would occur. Nissan wants me to pay for repairs and will reimburse me if the 2.0 liter engine receives a recall like the 1.8 and 2.5 liter engines did for the same scenario. What gives?”
NHTSA complaint #10064594, filed 2004-04, 71,615 miles“The oil dipstick handle breaks off and the balance of the dipstick is unable to be retrieved out of the dipstick cylinder unless the whole assembly is taken apart. This a very costly procedure ranging from $200-400. This has happened more than one time and it seems to me that Nissan should provide a better quality dipstick that will not deteriorate and break from what I perceive as heat related damage. Will they pay the costs for this repair?”
NHTSA complaint #10204369, filed 2007-09, 99,469 miles“This complaint has to do with the failure of the oil stick for the 2001 Nissan Sentra. I have owned the car for less than four years and have had two different oil sticks break in that time. The first time the oil stick was broken it was easily removed from the stem it rests in. On the latest break it has become lodged inside the stem. From what I can gather the standard fee most mechanics and dealerships range from $120.00 to $300.00 for the removal of the oil stick. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234059, filed 2008-07, 65,224 miles“The handle of my oil dipstick on my 2001 Nissan Sentra gxe broke. I was told that I would have to pay $500 inorder to get the handle out. This has happened to many people and there should be a recall and should be fixed free of charge. I still haven't been able to get the dipstick out.”
NHTSA complaint #10075351, filed 2004-06, 42,110 milesRelated recalls
- 03V511000Dec 10, 2003On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket may break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2003
- 03V455000Nov 17, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2003, Maxima 2002–2003, Altima 2002–2003 +6 more
- 01V357000Nov 16, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter engine. The engine could stop running while being driven due to a defective crank position…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2001
Related service bulletins
- 10015991Sep 8, 2006Long engine crank time before start.
- 10017405Sep 22, 2005Alternator drive belt noise.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 8 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 14 | 12% |
| 2005 | 48 | 28% |
| 2004 | 59 | 30% |
| 2003 | 86 | 48% |
| 2002 | 127 | 42% |
| 2001 | 93 | 39% |
| 2000 | 72 | 42% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 10% |
| 1994 | 11 | 11% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 4 | 6% |
| 1990 | 8 | 21% |
| 1989 | 9 | 22% |
| 1988 | 10 | 27% |
| 1987 | 5 | 14% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Sentra
44 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTires
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology