2000 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 2, 2023 · 171 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sentra years
About as many complaints as other years 14th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Nissan Sentra. That ranks 14th out of 32 Sentra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (72 complaints, 42%), typically at around 62,020 miles. Complaints mention 20 crashes, 4 fires, 11 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

Nissan Sentra
Front view of a 2026 Nissan Sentra SR sedan. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2000 Nissan Sentra problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling72 · ~62,020 mi
Electrical System29 · ~86,000 mi
Air Bags16 · ~96,188 mi
Equipment11 · ~23,500 mi
Suspension11 · ~39,296 mi
Unknown or Other11 · ~53,555 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Vehicle Speed Control10 · ~35,500 mi
Wheels9 · ~27,684 mi
Power Train8 · ~44,180 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling problems7242%62,020“crank position” (13%)$530
Electrical System2917%86,000——
Air Bags169%96,188——
Equipment116%23,500——
Suspension116%39,296——
Unknown or Other116%53,555——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic106%———
Vehicle Speed Control106%35,500——
Wheels95%27,684——
Power Train85%44,180——
Engine53%99,678——
Tires53%77,526——
Steering42%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)32%11,661——
Fuel System, Gasoline32%45,000——
Seat Belts32%43,000——
Structure21%24,000——
Exterior Lighting11%80,000——
Fuel/propulsion System11%80,000——
Fuel System, Other11%52,000——
Latches/locks/linkages11%———
Visibility11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2004, with 37 complaints
2000: 102000102001: 16162002: 332002332003: 16162004: 372004372005: 15152006: 6200662007: 442008: 5200852009: 442010: 7201072011: 332012: 3201232013: 222014: 3201432015: 222017: 1201712018: 112020: 2202022023: 11

n = 171 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2000 Nissan Sentra recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine coolingDec 10, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V511000 · 70 vehicles

Problem: On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket may break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface roughness and the shape of the material cut-line.

Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began december 15, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V455000 · 630,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.

Risk: This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

Electrical system:ignition:moduleNov 14, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V477000 · 276,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasolineNov 16, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V357000 · 103,000 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter engine. The engine could stop running while being driven due to a defective crank position sensor. This could also result in the "service engine soon" warning light coming on or reduced engine power.

Risk: If the engine stops running while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Owner notification began december 10, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

WheelsAug 29, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V277000 · 115,000 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The cooling holes in the steel wheel may have burrs on their edges as a result of improper manufacturing. These burrs can cause cracks as the vehicle is being driven. Cracks can propagate between adjacent cooling holes. If enough cracks develop between the cooling holes, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub without prior warning.

Risk: Separation of the wheel from the vehicle while being operated could result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for cracks and replace the wheel if cracks are discovered. Owner notification will be conducted in two phases. The first mailing began october 1, 2001, asking owners to bring their vehicles in to a dealer for inspection of the wheels. Any wheels with cracks will be replaced. A second owner notification will begin in early december, at which time nissan will have an adequate number of replacement wheels, requesting owners to return to their dealers to have the wheels replaced. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower armMay 23, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V174000 · 101,000 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One or more of the three bolts used to attach each front suspension lower control arm to the body on the left and right sides may not have been properly manufactured.

Risk: The bolts could fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the lower control arm attachment bolts. Owner notification began june 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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 and Engine Cooling · received Oct 2, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11547839

When driving long distance the car will just shut off and the brakes quit working

Engine · received Sep 4, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11353116

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.

Engine · received Aug 20, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11350523

Takata inflators: my car lost power and will not shift into od i need to know if there is a recall on it or whatever is wrong with it my car is a 2000 nissan sentra

Electrical System · received Mar 7, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11076586

THE CAR SHUT OF WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER 10 MINUTES DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES AND IT SHUT OF AGAIN. THIS TIME I CALLED A MECHANIC AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HIS SHOP. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS A CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR ISSUE. I HAVE CHANGED ALL OTHER SENSORS ON CAR…

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · received Jun 29, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11002382

Other Nissan Sentra years

← 1999 Sentra · 2001 Sentra →

See all Nissan Sentra problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.

Similar Nissan models

Embed this 2000 Nissan Sentra badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Sentra?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, air bags problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 72 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Nissan Sentra?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2000 Nissan Sentra a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sentra model years, the 2000 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.