Recall 11V579 affects 33,803 2010-2011 Nissan Sentra vehicles for a battery terminal defect that can stall the engine. Repair is free at franchised Nissan dealers.
Nissan is recalling 33,803 2010-2011 Sentra vehicles with MR20 engines because an overly thick zinc coating on the terminal stud bolt can cause a voltage drop and damage the engine control module. The engine can stall while the vehicle is moving and fail to restart after it stops, which increases crash risk; the Nissan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The battery cable terminal stud bolt on the 2010-2011 Nissan Sentra is part of the main electrical path between the battery and the vehicle's starting and control systems. The bolt gives the cable a solid contact point, so electrical current can move with low resistance when the driver starts the car and when the engine control module needs steady power.
On affected Sentras, the zinc coating on that terminal stud bolt was applied thicker than Nissan specified. Extra coating at the contact point increases electrical resistance, which creates a voltage drop. That lower voltage can make the vehicle difficult to start and can damage the engine control module, the computer that manages engine operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem can first show up as hard starting, so an affected Sentra that starts normally one day can still have the defective terminal stud bolt.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2010 and 2011 Sentra model years, both tied to the same battery-cable component.
| 2010 Nissan Sentra | battery |
|---|---|
| 2011 Nissan Sentra | battery |
| Units affected | 33,803 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The positive battery terminal problem can make the engine stall while the Sentra is moving. After the stall, the engine can fail to restart, which increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Nissan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Nissan Sentra is included in this recall.
- Wait for Nissan's owner letter if the dealer says the repair is not open for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask about the free positive battery terminal and cover replacement that fixes the voltage-drop condition tied to stalling and hard starting.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V579 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over safely if the engine stalls or the vehicle becomes hard to restart.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Nissan technician will replace the positive battery terminal and the terminal cover. The work addresses the terminal stud bolt coating issue that can create a voltage drop at the battery connection. Parts and labor are free under the recall. The source filing does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the appointment takes when you schedule it.
Timeline
| December 15, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V579?
Recall 11V579 covers 33,803 2010-2011 Nissan Sentra vehicles with MR20 engines and a positive battery terminal stud bolt coating defect. The electrical issue can cause hard starting, engine control module damage, or an engine stall while driving, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Nissan Sentra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sentra is included in recall 11V579. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule replacement of the positive battery terminal and cover. Reference recall number 11V579 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan dealers replace the positive battery terminal and cover free of charge under recall 11V579.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine stall while the vehicle is in motion. NHTSA campaign 11V579 says the engine also can fail to restart after it stops, increasing crash risk. Nissan's repair path is replacement of the positive battery terminal and cover at no charge.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Difficulty starting the vehicle is the warning sign named in recall 11V579. The defect creates a voltage drop at the positive battery terminal stud bolt, which also can damage the engine control module. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Nissan dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V579000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V579 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V579000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →