11th Dec 2007, 12:01
2001 Sentra GXE 200,000 Ks recalls done. Dip stick is broke, I just left it broke and change the oil/filter every two months. The dealer wants too much to fix it, This problem should also be a reacall since it happens to every sentra.
Service engine light is on and the tack needle seems to hesitate, but the motor sounds/runs fine? Pretty much going to run this car into the ground and leave it where it dies. I also drive a 1990 Nissan truck with 200,000 Ks and it has no problems, My Sentra is one big headache and problem after problem. I hate this car! And it turned me off from Nissan... I will not buy another one that's for sure.
15th Jan 2008, 12:24
Being a former auto mechanic, I offer two suggestions: 1. For the racing/fluctuating engine RPM, check all of your vacuum lines for cracks, loose connections, etc. Try spraying all the vacuum lines with some soapy water with the engine running. Shut off the engine and check the spark plugs for moisture and/or soap residue. Check spark plug wires for correct routing as the magnetic field around one may affect the other (s) due to this. (Could induce false firing). 2. Check ALL spark plugs for correct gap and that they are CLEAN! Check the plugs for cracks/cracking in the white porcelain area. If there are black streaks/lines down the side of that area, this is know as tracking and causes problems also. I haven't done any major auto repairs in 15--20 years due to having change careers. Just a few goodies that I've remembered from all of my training. Hope that this will help someone!!
Computers are great, but a little common sense and some basic troubleshooting are, to me, a little better. Just have to use the process of elimination! ALWAYS - ALWAYS start with the basics!! Learned that when I used to repair the old air-cooled VW's. (No, I don't have a shop). :)
12th Feb 2008, 00:21
We have a 2001 Sentra GXE. Bought it used in 03 @ 32,000 miles. 1 week later it broke down on the side of road. Problem was fixed what ever it was. 1 year later check engine light came on. Has been on ever since. We have replaced MAF 3 times. Took the car into to dealer because of Catalytic Converter went out at 68,000 miles that was in late 05. We had taken the car to the dealer 4 times before then and they never removed the ECM foam. August of 07 they finally told us about it. The car was driving so bad we couldn't even use it. We took it in and they removed it & said we needed yet another MAF. So 2 wks ago took to another mechanic after I replaced the MAF. A fuel coil had burned up, he fixed that. Car still running like crap! So he looked further. Couldn't get anything from the test so he removed the ECM. The foam had fried it. Nissan said I would have to take it to the dealer & they would review our case. The dealer confirmed what our person said. 2 wks later Nissan called to tell us too bad. I told them what they could do with their cars & customer service. The rep I was speaking with (Matthew) tried telling me that Nissan is rated #1 for quality & service. I asked in what dream world were they in. We even have the invoice from the dealer which states ECM foam Damaging ECM from August.
28th Feb 2008, 22:15
I too have a 2001 Nissan Sentra which I purchased new in Oct. 2000. After about a year my car died in rush hour traffic. It ended up being the sensor thing and was covered under warranty. It now has 70,000 miles on it and is the most unreliable car I've ever driven. My dip-stick too has fallen off during an oil change. My drivers side window is stuck down and I can't even figure out how to at least get it back up. (If anyone knows a trick let me know.) I've went through 2 batteries, 3 alternators, and my car still drives terribly. It revs up and dies all the time. It has been in my garage for 5 months now. I have too young children and can't depend on not getting stranded. I will never buy a Nissan again.
23rd May 2008, 19:41
Mileage and repairs performed on a 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE:
6,314 miles - Gear and linkage replaced in Rack & Pinion Steering.
7,807 miles - Replace 6 bolts on Transvers (axle?).
12,907 miles - Replace sensor kit and replace all four wheels.
29,784 miles - Remove ECM foam and replace engine sensor kit.
27,894 miles - Replace auto transmission.
53,094 miles - Replace mass air flow and sensor and replace valve cover gasket.
59,403 miles - Replace alternator.
68,926 miles - Replace ECM and replace idle control valve.
80,049 miles - Replace ECM (again) and replace catalytic converter.
This last ECM replacement would have been covered under smog warranty, but Nissan Consumer affairs denied claim because we are not the original owner, and we were 49 miles over 80K warranty period. Also, we were two months past the warranty on the first replacement! With 6 recalls, obviously this car bypassed all quality control.
I would suggest buy Toyota or Honda, since Nissan produces junk and doesn’t care a bit.
23rd Jun 2008, 10:41
Why didn't I read these comments before repairing my 2001 Nissan Sentra. I bought the car new in 2001. In the first 6 years of owning it I had many issues that others seem to have had. Power windows (both driver and passenger front) stuck down, CAM sensor out, Catalytic converter out, dip-stick broke (replaced that at least 5 or 6 times). I thought the car handled pretty well and that these would be the end of my worries. Well, within the last 3 months, my gas pedal sticks, I had to replace my rack and pinion because of a leak, replace the alternator after the car died in traffic 4 days ago, and it died yesterday on my way to school, still don't know the diagnosis. It has become a completely unreliable car.
17th Jul 2008, 23:25
2 weeks ago brought my 2001 GXE into the dealership because of the SES light coming on. Was told I had 2 bad 02 sensors. First sensor was replaced and SES light went out. Drive home, SES light came back on. Back to dealership. Was told I might have to change out the CAT. Figured I'd think about it for a few days. 2 days later the SES went out and has not come back on. So they told me 2 bad sensors, but yet it was just one. Instead of $800 it cost $400.
Oh, and there seems to be a metal bracket near the top 02 sensors that Nissan did not even bother tightening back up, so now it's just moving around. Back to Nissan...
Now the idling is rough, so we'll see how much that costs...
18th Sep 2007, 12:28
I bought my 2001 Nissan Sentra XE in April of 2004 used with 45,007mi. Absoutley NO PROBLEMS since purchase. Go figure?? I change my oil every 5Kmi with Mobil One Synthetic 5w-30. Also had a transmission filter and fluid change at 50Kmi. Currently running a K&N air and oil filter and performance is absolutely amazing. (I guess the Mexicans were having a great day). This is by far the most reliable, maintenance free cehicle I ever owned!! Also, I saw in Consumer Reports that the 2001 Sentra was a much more reliable model than either the 1996-1999 and the 2002-2006. All the recalls were taken care of before I purchased it.