2011 Nissan Sentra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Nissan Sentra: 2 recalls, 142 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #10V555000 · 2010 · 13,737 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the positive battery terminal cable end with a new one free of charge. The safety recall began pn November 29, 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #11V579000 · 2011 · 33,803 vehicles
What's wrong: 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).
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace the positive battery terminal and cover, free of charge. The recallbegan on January 23, 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (34): the most common themes are electrical failure (15), stalls / loses power (10), warning light on (5).
- Engine (30): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (13), warning light on (7), electrical failure (6).
- Airbags (20): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5), warning light on (4).
- Other / unknown (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), noise or vibration (4).
The 2011 Nissan Sentra has 142 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 37 Sentra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 158). Complaints peaked in 2018 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 71,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (144 complaints, 3 recalls), 2012 (180 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Nissan Sentra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Nissan Sentra problems?
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (34), engine (30), airbags (20).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan Sentra get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Nissan Sentra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.