9th Mar 2009, 21:42

I have a 2001 GXE and had to have the MAF sensor replaced at 52000 miles... I wasn't too happy about it, but other than that I haven't had any major issues. All cars have problems, that's just the way it is. I probably wouldn't buy a Nissan again though. It just seems cheaply made and isn't very comfortable.

21st Mar 2009, 17:53

Good thing I read this... I WAS in the process of purchasing a 2001 Sentra.

5th Apr 2009, 00:25

I cannot believe the comments on this website! I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE and it is a CHAMPION!

I have driven this car through everything! Minus 40, Plus 40 rain, sleet, snow. I bought the car with 90k on it and it now has just over 200k.

I have spent no $$ in 5 years except for brakes once and regular oil changes. I would take this car anywhere and will always be a nissan customer.

16th Apr 2009, 10:37

Guys. The main and only key problem with the 2000-2001 GXE is the intake manifold gasket. This is a source of the majority of items being described on this site (ie. fluxation of idle when stopped and engine service light). The fix for this problem is almost 100% of the time a gasket. It is about a 300 to 500 fix from a reasonable mechanic. There is a design flaw in the engine to cause spot burns on the gasket near #4 cylinder. Other than that, the car is extremely reliable and should go 300k.

11th May 2009, 21:54

I drive a 240sx with 172000 on it runs like a dream. So I thought Nissan rules they make great cars. Until I bought a piece of crap 2001 GXE 1.8 turbo. This car is fun to drive when it runs which is never now I'm stuck on the idle air control valve issue. Thank goodness I have the 240sx still. Should have bought a 350z. But if I ever do I will make sure it's not made in Mexico.

25th Jul 2009, 16:44

WHOA, I just bought a 2001 Sentra GXE, about an hour ago. I am very scared. The drivers window is barely working. The used car dealer said they'll fix it for free.

The cruise control does not work. Nor the passenger side mirror. I think I'll drive her real easy, and sell it A.S.A.P.

Good grief. These stories are scary.

Never a Nissan again. I feel really bad for you people. An awful lot of money and grief has been encountered by many. I am on a fixed income. I CANNOT fix anything over $25.00.

22nd Aug 2009, 11:21

The main reason that causes the ECM on Nissan Sentra 2000 -2001 to go is lack of ventilation.

23rd Sep 2009, 19:09

I've had my 2001 Sentra for almost a year now and it runs very well. A champ. It burns no oil and has not given any trouble beyond a burnt headlight bulb and a fried battery terminal - both cheap and easy fixes. Good gas mileage and quite responsive considering its small engine. If you take care if, it takes care of you.

30th Sep 2009, 09:06

I have a 2000 Nissan Sentra GXE 5 speed manual. It just started rough idling yesterday so I popped the hood and saw that oil was spilling out onto the engine. My guess is that the oil is creating build up on the intake air control valve, thus leading to my rpm jumping around between 500-1200 while in neutral or idle. I'm planning on taking this to a mechanic tomorrow. If you have any suggestions, email me at andybusam@gmail.com.

12th Jan 2010, 16:37

2002 Nissan Sentra 1.8 GXE:

For two months now, I've had intermittent cold weather start up issues. I've had a tune-up done in Novermber, the batteries, spark plugs, coils, temperature sensor changed, the throttle body and injectors got all cleaned up, and the idle reset by dealer.

The ECM and crank sensors were changed in the recall years ago, so I don't know what else it could be. It's very frustrating because the 3 garages including the dealer don't seem to know what the problem is!

I'm $800 in the hole, and the start up issues are still not resolved. I'm looking at replacing the ECM again (no longer under warranty) at $400 or the gas regulator also at $400 plus labor.

13th Jun 2010, 22:24

2001 Nissan Sentra GXE.

Bought used with 12k miles in 2005.

From day 1 had IACV problem, replaced.

2 oil dipsticks replaced.

Ran well up to 110k and now I have the money pit problem. 2 MAF's and 1 TPS and still runs like utter crap.

Next step...ECU...

All in all, I consider myself lucky to have put those miles on it until now. If I had read any of this previously, I would have probably avoided this year model. I knew the quality was low by the fit and finish of the interior parts when I bought it. By contrast, my mom has a 98 Altima with 289k on it... that car has been a dream and a delight to own and it runs like new (however the transmission is starting to show its age).

1st Jul 2010, 01:21

RE: 7th Mar 2010, 18:29 comment.

Since it has been months since you made this comment, I thought I would still post just in case there were others out there with similar problems. I found this comment on another forum and it was posted from a Nissan mechanic:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090822220225AAmGiwa

I hope this helps, because it sure happened to be the case for my 2002 Sentra. I just hope that that is all it is (as I have already replaced the MAF sensor).

6th Jul 2010, 14:52

Hi guys. I just bought Sentra Spec V 2002 and with it, the legendary problem with the throttle. The car has only 11000 and everything else seems to be fine.

OK, the throttle body needs to be cleaned, but how? Is there some special chemicals that should be used? Is it possible that the throttle sensor is bad?

16th Jul 2010, 23:47

2001 Sentra crank sensor code. I replaced it and it never fixed the problem. It still keeps reading the crank sensor is at fault, any ideas??? Hard start, rough idle and dies when warm.

Thanks, D-ROCK.

25th Aug 2010, 16:16

I have a Sentra 2001 GXE. In my city these days are minimum temperature 80F and max 120F. So, in the hottest days or in the sunlight time, my car immediately starts with the rough idle, and sometimes stops and is very hard to turn on again.

I have to push the car to the shadow, and open the hood. After a few minutes, it gets cold and start again.

The problem to me is the design. It is poor and not very reliable. All the control is in the ECU, we cannot do anything. The ECU is in a bad location. If you live in cold weather you are lucky, but in hot weathers you will suffer this nightmare.

In my opinion Nissan is a good company, but this design is a pain. I will never buy a Nissan again.

Regards.

29th Oct 2010, 17:22

I have a 2002 Sentra GXE that began shutting off while I was driving it. The car would start right back up. It then started shutting off when I would come to a stop. Now it won't even start, and has been sitting in my driveway for the past six months. I am tired of taking this vehicle to the dealer and replacing parts. I've replaced the ECM, MAF, purge valve, and various sensors. They just shrug their shoulders and look at me. This car only has 81,000 miles on it... so done with NISSAN.