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2011 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Sentra.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Nissan Sentra is a passenger car that requires 4.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, and its ownership record shows 142 total complaints with two recalls, the most frequent involving the electrical system. Viewed across the nameplate’s complaint history from 1990 through 2026, this model year sits well below the peak of 638 complaints recorded for 2013 and far above the recent low of eight for 2026, placing it in the lower-midrange of reported issue frequency for the Sentra line.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.1 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-60HR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546ET00J alt 1654630P00
Spark plug	22401JA01B alt 22401JD01B
Battery	24410ET00B
Front wiper blades	28890ZE91A alt 28890ET000
Serpentine belt	11720ET00A alt 11720ET80A
Thermostat	210496N220 alt 21049ED00A
Cabin air filter	27277VS00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.9 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	59.4 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in
Curb weight	2857 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2007 SE-R Spec V

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R 2.5L I-4	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	177 hp	FWD
2007	2.0 S 2.0L I-4	8.30 sec	16.50 sec	140 hp	FWD
2007	2.0 S 2.0L I-4	9.20 sec	17.10 sec	140 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.1 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	Except 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	Except 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing	6, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm
Ignition Timing	10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.05-1.16 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	21R

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	Radiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	62 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.059 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14

20 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

22 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

31 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

31 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	100 degrees.	100 degrees
3	Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	100 degrees.	100 degrees
6	100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.	100 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	75 degrees	75 degrees
5	75 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limits of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	75 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60

25 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Nissan Sentra recorded 142 complaints, 2 recalls, and 107 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). This performance is nearly identical to the 2010 model's 144 complaints and 3 recalls, and it represents a lower volume of complaints than the 180 reported for 2012. Within the generation's arc, 2011 sits in a period of relative stability that precedes a dramatic surge in issues, most notably in 2013 when complaints spiked to 638 and TSBs reached 200. While 2011 saw 17 complaints regarding the electrical system and 15 regarding the engine, the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Because it avoids the severe instability seen in later model years, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

107

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

142

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 6 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 142 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17

Engine15

Air Bags14

Unknown Or Other12

Power Train12

Visibility5

Service Brakes4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V579000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:CablesReported 15/12/2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE… Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT…

10V555000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:CablesReported 12/11/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 107 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 40R battery Vehicles taking 4.1 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546ET00J Spark plug 22401JA01B Battery 24410ET00B

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Sentra take?

4.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.