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New Sentra Owners' Experiences

86 messages,  Last post on Jan 27, 2012 at 4:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Sentra, Exterior, Wheels, Sedan

Messages Page 9 of 9

#76 of 86 Lights flicker and engine stalls, then dies - no apparent reason. by mschief

Sep 22, 2010 (6:19 am)

I have had my new 2010 Nissan Sentra for 21 days as of last night. I was running errands and everything seemed file. I came out of the grocery store with a full trunk of groceries and a full tank of gas. I started driving home and realized my headlights weren't on (my previous car had automatic headlights) so I switched on the lights. As soon as I flipped the switch, the dashboard and my radio shut off then back on. Definitely weird. As I pulled up to the light to turn left, the car continued to lose pick up and power as I am trying to turn in front of an oncoming semi. I was able to just squeeze past and pull into a parking lot. I shut the car off hoping if I just restarted it the car would work like normal. But no go, the car wouldn't restart. The gas pedal wouldn't even depress all of the way so I could start my keyless start. At 10pm at night, no Nissan dealerships are open in the area and the 1-800 number listed at the back of the owner’s manual couldn’t really do much more than offer me a tow.
 
A frenzied driver, an amazing boyfriend and a good Samaritan later, we were able to move my car into gear so we could jump it. Using the good Samaritan’s tools, we tested the electrical output and noticed an unusual spikes in the readings. I will be calling the dealership as soon as it opens. Just 21 days into having my new car, I am not feeling confident about its reliability.
 
Anyone have any ideas what is going on?

#77 of 86 Re: Lights flicker and engine stalls, then dies - no apparent reason. [mschief] by texassue

Sep 24, 2010 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: mschief (Sep 22, 2010 6:19 am)
Yes- possibly, it is the same problem that I had that now appears to be fixed. It was explained to me that the factory did not securely weld some panel in back of the battery which means it cannot recharge off the alternator. This was detected the third time I brought it in for an electrical problem. I do not have a keyless start, however. My dealership had to ordered a new battery cable which was on national back order (told me, and the mechanic I was dealing with, that this is a more widespread problem- in fact, he had seen two similar issues, one two month before, the other the same week I brought mine in). If it makes you feel better, the new battery cable was replaced the weekend before Labor Day weekend and I am still going strong. I know what you mean about feeling queasy about reliability, though. The first time they fixed the problem, they said it was a bad battery- but the new one was gone in a week. That's when they looked harder and they discovered the weld/battery cable problem. Suggest it to them.

#78 of 86 nissan sentra dead in the street by essie1

Oct 06, 2010 (4:05 pm)

i brought my nissan sentra 2010 home on september 18, we drove the sixty miles without a problem. it was new and i thought the volume on my ipod music went down at a stop light as a courtesy to other drivers, that was all i noticed out of the ordinary. On september 27th, after driving the car for errands only, it had less than 200 miles on it, the engine stopped at a red light. I tried unsuccessfully to re[engage it, the electrical system was functioning at first, but that too died. It was towed to a nearby Nissan a short distance away. They diagnosed it as a faulty computer. I picked up the car two days later and even as i drove out of the dealership the car hesitated, and within 5 miles the odometer settings were wavering and there was a strange pulsing sound coming from it. I called the dealership, but the mechanics had gone for the day. By the next day, september 30, the odometer was behaving and we assumed the car was still syncing with the new computer. On friday, October 1st, the car hesitated, the odometer readings were wiggling, and i called the dealership where i bought the car to ask if it was safe to drive the 60 miles to have it looked at by a mechanic on monday, they said they thought so. Fortunately for me, the car died completely again when i went to start it at a local supermarked parking lot on the sunday before the trip. It was towed to the dealership and i was told the next morning that it was a faulty battery connector and cables, which they replaced. Today, October 6th, the car was driven approximately 200 miles without a problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

#79 of 86 Re: nissan sentra dead in the street [essie1] by texassue

Oct 06, 2010 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: essie1 (Oct 06, 2010 4:05 pm)
Yup, that battery cable problem! I've posted on the New Sentra page and an electrical problems page a similar problem I had, and it wasn't diagnosed right the first time either. I predict they will have a national recall on this cable. If it makes you feel better, my car had the cable replaced over a month ago and is running fine. But there is nothing more stressful than having a new car go completely dead!

#80 of 86 check engine light soon by cocobonvon

Nov 23, 2010 (8:57 pm)

yeah i had that same cable replaced now my check engine soon light went on about and hour ago go straight to the dealer tomorrow

#81 of 86 Re: Any advice for my 2009 nissan sentra problem? [backy] by wvmommie

Dec 21, 2010 (8:02 am)

Replying to: backy (Sep 21, 2010 5:48 am)
I just got a car used same issue it swerves on the highway and its under 35000 miles i dont know but im calling the dealer today.

#82 of 86 Re: FINAL REPORT [barpye] by hotrodr12

Feb 02, 2011 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: barpye (Jul 07, 2010 1:57 pm)
barpye - i would like to contact you regarding your lemon law process. if you could e-mail me that would be helpful. mhohaggmail.com.
 
i have a 2010 nissan sentra sr and have been dealing with this steering issue for some time now. i have brought it to the servicing dealership where i purchased the vehicle (4 times!) and haven't gotten the problem resolved and i will now be pursuing the lemon law option.

#83 of 86 service engine light, battery light, brake light came on by minpinminpin2

Jul 25, 2011 (8:11 am)

i have a 2010 nissan, the belt shredded to pieces. something apparently seized up and this was wearing on the belt. when I opened the hood discovered that the car was running very hot the water was boiling. does anyone know what could have siezed up and caused the belt to shred to pieces.

#84 of 86 Re: FINAL REPORT [hotrodr12] by kjhansen

Sep 15, 2011 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: hotrodr12 (Feb 02, 2011 12:20 pm)
Hello all,
I recently bought a new 2011 Sentra S (I have about 400 miles on it now). I have to admit if I had read about all the steering issues I may not have bought the car. However, I haven't experienced any steering problem or any other problems with the car. In fact I find the Electrical Power Steering to be excellent compared to my Civic Hybrid which also has EPS. On the Civic if you make a quick turn in one direction, then quickly change to the opposite direction (like in accident avoidance) you end up not having any power assist (the EPS can't react fast enough). Also, at one time I had a Satrun Vue with the exact EPS issues being mentioned. On that car the dealer was able to fix it the 1st time I brought it in. Before buying the Sentra, I drove a Corolla and a Civic and found the Sentra handled and accelerated much better. I guess Nissan finally fixed the EPS by the 2011 model year. I have owned 4 Nissans in the past including a Datsun 1200 and they have all been good vehicles. I got $3.5K off the MSRP, so the Sentra was aslo a good value. It has Blue Tooth, Smart Key and the CVT works great too. I got 44MPG on pure highway and 27MPG combined city/ hwy.

#85 of 86 2010 Sentra SR by malachy

Jan 27, 2012 (8:48 am)

My car has 31K. I have had no issues with the transmission, nor anything else. My only complaint is the clacking when the car starts up on a cold morning. This noise goes away when the car is warmed up. The gas mileage has been between 32 - 34 doing 80% HWY 65 or so. The car does not handle like it is on rails, but that is just the electric steering. The car is dependable and comfortable. I think it looks a hell of a lot better than most comparable cars. If you are looking for basic transportation, it will meet your needs. Would I buy another one? There is not a reason I would not buy it again. I probably would go for a used one, only because of the dwindling value of new cars in general. It's not the most exciting thing out there, but that's subjective. I do like the room in the front and back as well as the trunk. The CVT is a little wierd. I can't tell you if it is good or bad. I have been told that it helps the mileage - which is very good in my opinion.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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