2011 Nissan Sentra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 24%of 142 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,012miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Nissan Sentra, 24% of the 142 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,012 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers. 2 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.
“Fan is running inside car blowing out hot air despite the dial being turned to off. Now while the car was being driven, there's a strong burning smell emitting from the inside of car. When the fan turned on for absolutely no reason, I was driving it on the highway. The car was in motion again today when the burning smell started as well. Now when I go to turn car on, it is having issues starting.”
NHTSA complaint #11228413, filed 2019-06, 114,491 miles“I was driving down highway 138 union city when my vehicle started to shutter like it was going to stall. When I stopped at the red light the vehicle electrical load dropped and the car would not crank back up. I was able to jump it off and the car had no issues I had the battery tested and alternator tested both are good/.”
NHTSA complaint #10622428, filed 2014-08, 79,725 miles“The dashboard light flickered for awhile and now does not light up at all. I am unable to see the gas gauge, mileage or temperature. The doors no longer unlock when I turn off the ignition nor does the beeper sound that my headlights are still on when the ignition is turned off. I have been to the Nissan dealer twice with this and they were not be able to locate the problem. They did find a paper that described this situation as a problem on the 2011 Nissan Sentra.”
NHTSA complaint #11205706, filed 2019-05, 82,300 miles“Like many other complaints I am reading I have had multiple times I have been driving down the road and my vdc off light will appear and my car will start jerking and have trouble accelerating, I then have to get over to the side of the road and shut my car off for a few, this luckily has only happened to me in the city as after it happened I was too worried to take it on the highway. With this many issues/complaints Nissan really needs to look into this before it costs someone their life”
NHTSA complaint #11316207, filed 2020-03, 93,000 miles“We put our VIN into the recall database and it did not come back as being one of the cars affected. However, we have experienced what is described in the recall: engine stalling and having to be turned off and restarted; no power to engine when stepping on gas while in drive. It has been okay on the highway, but will often cut out when driving in city, especially when starting back from a start or rolling start. Happens occasionally with no predictability other than has never happened on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11240882, filed 2019-07, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V579000Dec 15, 2011Nissan 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…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2010–2011
- 10V555000Nov 12, 2010Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 sentra vehicles, manufactured from may 22, 2010, through july 8, 2010. Due to a machining irregularity, the…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2010–2011
Related service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235729Apr 3, 2023RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous…
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190124Mar 11, 2021NAVIGATION WILL NOT WORK AFTER SD MAP CARD INSTALLED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 10 | 24% |
| 2023 | 8 | 40% |
| 2022 | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 | 45 | 22% |
| 2019 | 65 | 29% |
| 2018 | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 | 45 | 17% |
| 2015 | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 43 | 7% |
| 2012 | 13 | 7% |
| 2011 | 34 | 24% |
| 2010 | 50 | 35% |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 19% |
| 2002 | 54 | 18% |
| 2001 | 44 | 19% |
| 2000 | 29 | 17% |
| 1999 | 12 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 12% |
| 1992 | 14 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Sentra
30 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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