2000 Nissan Sentra Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the engine failed to turn over however, the vehicle was able to be started closer to the afternoon. The check engine warning light illuminated along with the “Service Engine Soon” message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V357000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. MANIFOLD CATALYTIC FAILED SMOG CHECK. I TRIED TO PURCHASE PARTS WITH DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE WITH THEM OR AFTERMARKET. I WANT TO HOLD THEM RESPONSABLE FOR NOT HAVING THE PARTS FOR MY VEHICLE.
WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCE THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BRAKES QUIT WORKING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE OXYGEN SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND UP OR APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOLLOWING RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
OIL CHECK STICK BROKEN INTO ENGINE. 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. CALLED THE DEALER SAID IS COMMON PROBLEM. NOTHING DONE. HAVE TO BUY NEW STICK. *TR
WE HAD A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA GXE, WITH 83245 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH CAR AND IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. ON JULY 29, 2010 AFTER A NORMAL DAY'S ACTIVITIES WHICH INVOLVED DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK AND A SHORT TRIP WITHIN TOWN TO AND FROM THE LOCAL SWIMMING POOL, IT WAS AS USUAL PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME AT 8PM. WE LOCKED THE CAR AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND WERE SITTING DOWN TO DINNER WHEN AT 8:20PM WE NOTICED A LARGE PLUME OF SMOKE DRIFT BY THE DINING ROOM WINDOW. WHEN WE WENT OUT TO INVESTIGATE WE SAW THICK BILLOWING SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE COULD ALSO SEE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. WE DIALED 911 AND THE FIRE TRUCKS ROLLED IN. THE FIREMEN HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING THE HOOD BECAUSE THE HEAT HAD FUSED THE HOOD TO THE BODY AND THEY HAD TO PUNCH HOLES IN THE SIDE AND USE CROWBARS TO PRY THE HOOD OPEN. AFTER A BRIEF DOUSING WITH FIRE RETARDANT FOAM, THE FIREMEN PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. ONCE THE FLAMES WERE PUT OUT WE COULD SEE THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS A MASS OF BURNED PLASTIC AND RUBBER AND CHARRED AND TWISTED METAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DECLARED THE CAR TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS INJURED AND OUR HOME WAS NOT DAMAGED. WE ARE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED THAT A SUPPOSEDLY RELIABLE COMPACT CAR COULD WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON BURST INTO FLAMES AND DIE LIKE THIS ONE DID. *TR
I HAVE A 2000 NISSAN SENTRY IT OVER HEAT ON ME SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY IT CUTS OFF AND CAUSE BUMPER TO BUMPER HITS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLS AND FAILS TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NISSAN RECALL NUMBER R3022, IN WHICH THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. THERE IS A SECOND RECALL THAT STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THE FIRST RECALL CAMPAIGN WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE SECOND RECALL. HE WAS ADVISED TO BRING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HIS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE TOP PIECE OF MY DIPSTICK SHATTERED, LEAVING THE REST OF MY DIPSTICK INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE MORE I ATTEMPT TO PULL IT OUT, THE CLOSER IT COMES TO MY CRANKSHAFT. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE!! *TR
2000 NISSAN SENTRA ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK BROKE OFF. THE DIPSTICK IS STILL IN THE TUBE.
A RECALL FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V35700 RECALL DATE: 11/16/01 FOR 2000 NISSAN SENTRA. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY NISSAN IN 2003. IN JANUARY 2007, THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCE SAME PROBLEM DURING THE RECALL DATE. THE CAR STOPS RUNNING A LOT OF TIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES. MY WIFE WAS VERY NERVOUS AND SCARED DRIVING THAT CAR. ON JANUARY 22ND, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL IS NO LONGER BEING REPLACED. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND ORDERED ECM TO SEE IF THE FIXES THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ON JANUARY 29TH, THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR BILL SEIDLE'S NISSAN IN MIAMI (10500 NW 12TH STREET) JORGE VILLAR STATED THE PROBLEM COULD BE A CRACK SHAFT OR MASS AIR. THEY SAID TO COME BACK WHEN I AM READY FOR THEM TO GET TO THE ROOT PROBLEM. ON FEBRUARY 6TH, I TOOK THE CAR TO PRECISION TUNE AUTO CARE AND INFORM THEM THAT THE CAR STOPS RUNNING WHEN IT WAS RUNNING. I WANT THEM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. LATER THAT DAY THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THAT IT HAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I CALLED BILL SEIDLE NISSAN EXPLAINING THAT THE PARTICULAR RECALL BACK IN NOV 2001 IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND I WANT THEM TO CHANGE TO PART OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPLACE IT. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE PRECISION AUTO CARE FIX THE PART AND AT COST OF $150.00. NISSAN DEALER WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CHARGE ME MORE AND FIX PART THAT WASN'T NEED. THE WHOLE TIME THEY NEED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *NM
ENGINE STALLS WHEN DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO CAME TO A LOW IDLE AND NEARLY DIED AT OTHER TIMES WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC CONSEQUENCES TO THIS PROBLEM AS OF YET. A MAINTENANCE SHOP BLEW OUT ALL AIRFLOW SENSORS AND REPLACED VACUUM HOSES. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MODEL OF THIS CAR, BUT NOT THE CORRECT VIN RANGE. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THIS ITEM AT NO COST. *JB
2001 1.8 ENGINE IN A SENTRA , DRIVEN NEW FROM VICTORY NISSAN (VN) IN CHESAPEAKE VA, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AFTER ALL THE RECALLS WERE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO V. NISSAN (VN). $600.00 LATER AND LIGHT COMING ON 3 TIMES IN SEPARATE TRIPS TO (VN) WHILE TRYING DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I WAS CHARGED $600.00 AND I HAD NOW REACHED 67,000 MILES WITH MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND LIGHT STILL ON AND OFF, THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO A CYLINDER, PLEASE NOTE $600.00 LATER AFTER BEING TOWED AT MY EXPENSE TWICE, NUMEROUS SENSOR'S AND EVEN THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR, (MY OLD COMPUTER WAS REINSTALLED BY (VN), (VN) WANTS TO MAKE ME A NEW BILL TO FIX THE ENGINE PROPERLY WITH THE MECHANIC EXPLAINING THAT THE ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC TOOL WHICH COST $90 IS JUST A STARTING PLACE AND THEY FOLLOW THE CODES AND REPLACE THE CHEAPEST STUFF FIRST LIKE ALL MY SENSOR'S AT $200 A POP, EVEN THE ONES THAT WERE NOT BAD ACCORDING TO THE TEST, AND AFTER I QUESTIONED IT, I WAS TOLD WELL THE "CERAMIC WAS CRACKED" AND IT WAS NOW OR LATER! IF IT WAS JUST A HEAD GASKET THAT BILL WAS GOING TO BE NOW $2,200 AND VICTORY NISSAN HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME AFTER $2,200.00 THAT I STILL NEEDED TO HAVE THE HEAD SENT OUT TO BE PRESSURE CHECKED (OPTIONAL BUT REQUIRED) FOR AN ADDITIONAL $200 TO $300 AND WE CAN WORK OUT SOMETHING ABOUT MY $600.00! I REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE FOR $1234.00 AND HONDA IS CALLING MY NAME! CERTAINLY UNHAPPY WITH MY FIRST AN ONLY DEALING'S WITH NISSAN AND ESPECIALLY WITH VICTORY NISSAN. THEY INSISTED ON THE SAME MECHANIC WORKING ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO WAIT 7 HOURS IN THE WAITING ROOM ONCE AND NUMEROUS TIMES FOR 4 AND 5 HOURS IN ADDITION WHILE I WATCHED THE MECHANICS MOVE IN SLOW MOTION. BOTTOM LINE NEVER DEAL WITH VICTORY NISSAN! *NM
THIS CAR HAS NEVER ONCE PASSED AN EMISSION TEST ON THE FIRST TRY. AS OF JULY 2004 THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON EVERY NOW AND THEN. I TOOK THE CAR FOR IT'S EMISSION TEST AND IT FAILED! THE ERROR CODE WAS P1491 (BYPASS VALVE/CUT VALVE). AFTER SPENDING $500, I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE EMISSIONS FACILITY AND IT PASSED. I DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND HAS STAYED ON CONSTANTLY SINCE THEN. NOW I'M A DUE FOR ANOTHER EMISSION TEST AND ONCE AGAIN IT FAILS! SAME ERROR CODE. CLEARLY THERE IS A DEFECT. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *JB
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD DO SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND SEVERAL CODES WOULD COME TO INDICATE WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE YET KNOW ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE THAT EXIST WITHIN THIS VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD. IT MAD E THE ENGINE SHAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT RUN. SHE SAID THE DEALER HAD CAR FOR 3 WEEKS, WHICH WAS WHEN SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL MODULE, BUT THIS RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE FOUND THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET. *AK
THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED THREE TIMES: WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THEN STOPPING, AND THEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY, THE ENGINE SIMPLY CUT OUT AFTER THE RPM WAVERED BETWEEN 500-1100 FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. THE CAR COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES HAD TO BE TOWED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, THE CAR COULD BE STARTED AGAIN. ALL THREE DAYS WERE HOT DAYS. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED AND A FULL INSPECTION OF THE CAR BY THREE MECHANICS REVEALED NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. *NM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. VEHICLE WANTED TO STALL WHEN STOPPING. NO POWER UPON ACCELERATION. AIR FLOW METER AND #4 COIL WERE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITHIN 24 HOURS. DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH A COPY OF THE $90 DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *JB
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STALLING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE , THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THERE WAS A MIXTURE OF OIL AND COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS PER SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN D3163. *TT
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
I HAVE LOOKED AND FOUND NO RECALL ON THIS POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE COMPONENT. PLASTIC DIPSTICK HANDLE BREAKS. MY CAR IS A NISSAN 2000 SENTRA GXE 1.8: THE PLASTIC ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK HANDLE BROKE OFF, LEAVING THE STAINLESS STEEL STICK INSIDE THE TUBE. I CALLED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A METHOD OF EXTRACTING THE DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 'VERY EXPENSIVE' FOR THE SERVICE SHOP TO DO, THAT I SHOULD TRY TO 'FIGURE IT OUT' MYSELF AND 'LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DID IT' IF I WAS SUCCESSFUL. THE ONLY OEM REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS ITEM IS AN EXACT DUPLICATE OF THE PLASTIC HANDLE TYPE THAT BROKE, SO I AM NOT USING THAT AGAIN! THIS PLASTIC COMPONENT IS POORLY DESIGNED AND CAN PERMIT THE STAINLESS STEEL 'STICK' TO BE FORCED INTO THE OIL PAN. *JB
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION EXHAUST, AND THE PROBLEM IS THE FRONT BRACKET THAT SUSPENDS THE EXHAUST BETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND THE REAR BRACKET HAD RUSTED AND FALLEN OFF. THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR EVENT THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN AND WE LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM BE THE KNOCKING SOUND MADE BY THE EXHAUST PIPE HITTING A BAR ON THE BODY WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AS SMALL AS 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN AROUND 24,000 MILES, AND THE QUOTE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART WAS $217 PLUS LABOR AND TAXES. THERE ARE TO DATE NO AFTERMARKET ALTERNATIVES, AND THE WAY THE BRACKET IS ATTACHED TO THE EXHAUST IS AN INFERIOR DESIGN THAT WILL ENSURE PREMATURE FAILURE.*AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK RECALL# 01V357000. THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. *SC *JB
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Quick Summary
The 2000 Nissan Sentra has 59 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.