This complaint has to do with the failure of the oil stick for the 2001 Nissan Sentra. I have owned the car for less than four years and have had two different oil sticks break in that time. The first time the oil stick was broken it was easily removed from the stem it rests in. On the latest break it has become lodged inside the stem. From what I can gather the standard fee most mechanics and dealerships range from $120 to $300 for the removal of the oil stick. The problem with the design of the stick is that it has a completely plastic handle that extends for a ways before joining with the metal stick. On both occasions the stick breaks well above where it joins with the metal component therefore making it impossible to remove with a magnet. This same problem has been documented numerous times online and I see it as a problem that Nissan continues to sell this oil stick. From one online forum alone I came across over 60 reports of this happening with a Nissan oil stick and almost all of them referred to either a 2000 or 2001 Sentra.

- Lexington, KY, USA

My 2002 Nissan Sentra gxe oil dip stick broke when I was pulling it out to check my oil level. I did a search online and a lot of people have the same problem

- Davis, CA, USA

I changed my oil on my 2001 Nissan Sentra and when I removed the oil dipstick, the plastic handle broke off leaving a piece of the plastic handle and the dipstick lodged inside of the metal tube. I have searched other sites and have found that many other motorists have had the same problem. It costs a lot of money for a repair shop to remove the dipstick. I believe that there is a defect in using a plastic handle on an oil dipstick.

- Mastic Beach, NY, USA

Vehicle with just over 30000 miles has severe braking system problems, requiring signficant and costly repairs. Appears to be common with 2001 Sentra.

- Congers, NY, USA

I took my car to have the oil changed and in the process the oil dipstick handle broke. When I notified Nissan, I was informed by a service technician that this is a common occurrence with Nissan. We tried to retrieve the oil dipstick but to no avail. So I called Nissan and spoke with a service technician and he informed me, the oil pan would have to be dropped and "only" a Nissan service technician could perform the job. The Nissan service technician informed me that it would cost $200 to repair. The service technician also informed me during our conservation, T they were dropping the oil pan on several Nissan's with the same problem, a broken oil dipstick. I think it is unfair for the consumer to pay $200 to have an oil dipstick removed when the material or part is substandard initially. Basically what Nissan is saying is, when I get an oil change there is a "great" possibility the oil dipstick will break.

- Houston, TX, USA