1996 Nissan Sentra

Routine

Owners filed 141 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal29
22015
Air Bags17
405
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages5
000
Vehicle Speed Control5
200
Unknown or Other4
000
Tires4
201
Electrical System4
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages3
201

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs00V063000
Filed Mar 2, 200014,800 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CORROSION RESISTANCE IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF DE-ICING SALTS ARE APPLIED TO ROADS IN THE WINTER.

Risk. IF A BROKEN SPRING COMES OUT OF THE LOWER SEAT, IT COULD CONTACT AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRING.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages98V093000
Filed May 5, 1998512,387 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.

Remedy. TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights98V008000
Filed Jan 21, 199865,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO NEW LIGHT BULBS FOR THE STOP/TAIL LAMPS WHICH ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BULBS. A LABEL WITH THE NEW BULB NUMBER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR INSERTION INTO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALERS CAN INSTALL THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THEM.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed May 25, 20182,000 milesCA

"TAKATA RECALL". MAD A RIGHT HAND TURN AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS RANDOMLY DEPLOYED.THEY CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK BADLY. DIDNT HIT ANOTHER CAR NOR ANYTHING WITH MAKING THE TURN. WAS MOVING IN A CITY STREET AT 9PM SO NOT MUCH TRAFFIC. TURNED INTO AN EMPTY STREET LUCKILY.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 201871,000 milesAZ

ALL POWER LOST, INCLUDING ENGINE, POWER BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. CAUSE IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON WIRING HARNESS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT ON A POWER WIRE. IN PARTICULAR, THE FAULTY CONNECTOR IS E104 ON THE HEC (THE BACK OF THE FUSE PANEL IN DRIVER SIDE COMPARTMENT). FAILURE OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN HOT WEATHER. FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AND DOZENS OF TIMES WHEN PARKED. JIGGLING THE CONNECTOR OFTEN RESTORES POWER. ALSO, A SIMILAR POWER WIRE OPEN CIRCUIT OCCURS ON ANOTHER CONNECTOR ON THE SAME HEC THAT CAUSES ALL LIGHTING TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND MOST INTERIOR LIGHTING TO FAIL. FAILURE HAS OCCURED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM SEEING HOW FAST THEY ARE TRAVELING.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 12, 2017AZ

CPSP: MY CAR, A 1996 NISSAN SENTRA, LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, ENGINE TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AND NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I GO TO START UP THE CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY INTERMITTENT CIRCUIT. UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 24, 2016147,849 milesWA

JULY 20 2016 WE WERE REAR ENDED BY A HONDA ACCORD DOING 40 MPH WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE IMPACT SLAMMED US INTO THE CHEVY SILVERADO IN FRONT OF US. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 6, 201156,233 milesFL

1996 NISSAN SENTRA, WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THE DRIVER WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN WALL. HE RETURNED TO THE ROADWAY AND DROVE OFF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING ON THE NORTH BERM. *BF THE DRIVER STATED HE HAD TO KEEP PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0913-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/31/11

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 16, 200930,000 milesNY

AIR CONDITIONER -- WHEN I HAD AIR CONDITIONER ON THE CAR WOULD STALL. AFTER BRINGING IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, I FINALLY CONVINCED ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND HE CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING MUCH BETTER. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jun 13, 2008196,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOWERED ONTO ITS FRONT AXLE AND WAS TOWED TO A TIRE SHOP. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS HAD ALUMINUM RIMS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Jan 30, 2008RI

INSUFFICIENT HEADREST FOAM COVERAGE. FOAM DEGRADES OR SELF MOVES OUT OF POSITION TO REVEAL INTERNAL METAL FRAME WHICH RUNS ACROSS ENTIRE HEADREST AT POINT OF HEAD IMPACT. PART DOES NOT SEEM SERVICEABLE FOR REPAIR, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER WITH UPDATED VERSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT ARE BOTH TRIGGERED TOO EASILY BY TOO MANY SENSORS, SO VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY IN SHOP WITH NO TROUBLE FOUND. SEEMS LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED BY AN OVERLY-WORRIED CAR MANUFACTURER, OR FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAKING OWNERS FEEL THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT ALSO GREATLY INCREASES THE LIKELY HOOD OF FAILING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE SAFETY ISSUE STEMS FROM ALL THE BLINKING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WHICH ARE VERY DISTRACTIVE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, AND USUALLY COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. IN 1996, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR INSUFFICIENT BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON THE SENTRA MODEL. NISSAN'S FIX FOR THIS WAS A BRIGHTER BULB. SINCE MY CAR WAS BOUGHT USED, AND THE PRIOR OWNER DID NOT UPGRADE TO THE NEW BULBS, AND THERE IS NO LISTING FOR THE REPLACEMENT BULBS, OWNER'S MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO UPGRADE THEIR BRAKE LIGHTS. NISSAN DEALERS DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT BULB TO REPLACE IT WITH FOR BETTER ILLUMINATION. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THERE ARE MANY 1996 NISSAN SENTRAS ON THE ROAD TODAY. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Tail LightsCrash
Filed Dec 14, 200630,000 milesWA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING IN THE RIGHT LANE TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS RAMMED FROM BEHIND. THE DRIVER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE INDICATED THERE WERE NO TAIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO NOTICE IF IT WAS MOVING OR NOT AT NIGHT. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AT THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO ALERT THE CONTACT FOR AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. AFTER NINE YEARS OF THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A NHTSA RECALL # 98V008000 WHICH MATCHED THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 21, 200670,000 milesKY

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED 4 TIMES SINCE MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. CAR FAILS TO START, WITH IT BEING IN THE FIRING SYSTEM THIS PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Nov 7, 200694,060 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN IT RAINED; THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT CLEAR THE RAIN WATER OFF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, AS THEY DID NOT COME INTO COMPLETE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 98V093000, FOR VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD/WASHER: LINKAGES FOUND ON THE MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE RECALL SERVICE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Nov 7, 2006OH

I HAVE A 1996 NISSAN SENTRA GXE. VIN NUMBER IS 3N1AB41D0TL0XXXXX. THERE ARE THREE OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE: 1. VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES 2. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS 3. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS NONE OF THE NISSAN DEALERS IN MY AREA HAVE OFFERED TO FIX ANY OF THESE RECALL ISSUES FOR FREE (AS IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AND STATE LAW). MY VEHICLE STILL HAS THESE SAFETY DEFECTS IN IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NISSAN IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THESE RECALL DEFECTS. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 7, 200694,050 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE WASHER NOZZLES ONLY EMITTED FLUID INTERMITTENTLY, AND OCCASIONALLY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALERS, WHERE THE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Feb 23, 200670,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH THE LEAKAGE BALL THAT CONNECTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO THE WIPER MOTOR SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V093000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Visibility
Filed Jun 20, 200563,000 milesCA

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN . AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER'S VISION IS IMPAIRED. THE DEALER STATES THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK ON THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE SWIVEL HINGE CLIP BROKE. *SC *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 29, 2004NY

12/28/04...I WAS DRIVING ON 2ND AVE IN TROY, NY, IT BEGAN TO SNOW/RAIN...TURNED ON MY WIPERS AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD A SNAP NOISE AND THEN MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM SEEMED TO BE BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC THE VERY NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID IT WAS BROKEN, THAT A PLASTIC PIECE SNAPPED OFF. IT WAS A DEALERSHIP ITEM, BUT THAT IT IS A NISSAN RECALL ITEM. MY MECHANIC PRINTED OUT THE RECALL INFO AND I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN LATHAM, NY. I WAS VERY UPSET WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS A BACK ORDER PART AND WOULD NOT BE IN UNTIL SOMETIME IN JANUARY OF 2005. MEANWHILE, I HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND CAN'T DRIVE IN THE RAIN, SNOW, SLEET, HAIL. WHEN I ASKED WHY THEY COULDN'T FEDEX THE PART THE DEALERSHIP IN LATHAM TOLD ME IT IS BECAUSE IT IS A BACK-ORDER ITEM. I ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD LOAN ME A CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A RECALL ITEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW AND THEN PROMISED I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM THE SAME DAY IN A LITTLE WHILE, THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN ANSWER FROM SOMEONE. I NEVER HEARD BACK, SO I CALLED THEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD GET ME A RENTAL CAR, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, THIS DEFECT IS NOT MY DOING. SECOND, I CAN END UP WITH NO JOB IF I CAN'T GET TO MY JOB. THAT IS THE ENTIRE PROBLEM, NO CAR TO GO TO WORK WITH IF IT RAINS OR SNOWS WHILE WAITING ON NISSAN FOR THE PART ON BACK ORDER. THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE DEALERSHIP IS: NEMITH MOTOR CORP., ROUTE 9, BOX 669, LATHAM, NY 12110. PH: 1-800-395-0798. *NM

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 200447,000 milesOH

MY 1996 NISSAN SENTRA HAS A DEFECTIVE ODOMETER. MY UNIT IS BEING REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT CARS WITH FAULTY ODOMETERS ARE BOTH A SAFETY HAZARD AND A CONSUMER FRAUD PROBLEM. *MR

Child SeatCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 13, 2004MS

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH A TANKER TRUCK CUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE OFF. TO AVOID A COLLISION CONSUMER PULLED ONTO A SHOULDER. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT TO ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT DETACHED FROM THE BASE WITH A CHILD IN IT AND CRASHED THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. THE CHILD SUSTAINED A BRUISED SPLEEN AND TAIL BONE WHILE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. ANOTHER PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA, AND OTHER SCRAPES AND BRUISES.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Apr 10, 2003LA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM. MR SCC *NLM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 31, 2003CA

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH HAD AN ACCIDENT. WAS HIT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE ,AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK *TR

20 of 141 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202615110Routine
202530400Routine
202438300Routine
202319100Routine
202281200Routine
2021131310Routine
2020204400Above average
2019222210Above average
2018185231Fatalities reported
2017230360Above average
2016270620Above average
2015351330Above average
2014380560Above average
2013638641Fatalities reported
2012180040Routine
2011142260Routine
2010144340Routine
200955101Fatalities reported
2008167330Routine
20071541102Fatalities reported
2006116610Do not drive
2005170640Do not drive
2004197501Do not drive
20031801010Do not drive
20023181480Do not drive
2001236820Above average
2000171740Routine
199959300Routine
199858521Fatalities reported
1997108712Fatalities reported
1996 — this page141710Routine
1995117732Fatalities reported
199499050Routine
199358020Routine
1992620150Routine
1991632101Fatalities reported
199039231Fatalities reported

Compare every Sentra year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.