1998 Nissan Sentra

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 58 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 5 times.

Not among the Nissan Sentra years to avoid. Which Nissan Sentra years to avoid →

Most common 1998 Nissan Sentra problems

14 of the 58 complaints (24%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags12
1105
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages5
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer4
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages · throttle and acceleration2
100
Unknown or Other2
010
Tires2
102
Suspension2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine2
000
Air Bags · airbags2
202

5 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.

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.

All 5 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 201962,621 milesCA

I HAVE A 1998 NISSAN SENTRA AND THE PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH THIS CAR IS MY IGNITION SWITCH. MY KEY GETS STUCK IN MY IGNITION SOMETIMES AND MY CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE CONSISTENT OVER THE TEN YEARS I'VE HAD IT. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES AND I'VE GOTTEN IT FIXED MORE THAN THREE TIMES.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2019255,000 milesTX

COMING TO A STOP IN A L TURN LANE, WITH FOOT DEFINITELY ONLY ON BRAKE, AT UNDER 3 MPH. JUST AS I STOPPED, BRAKE FADED, ENGINE RACED, AND CAR SURGED VIOLENTLY FORWARD, SIMULTANEOUSLY. I BARELY CONTROLLED THIS SURGE WITH EXTREME BRAKE PRESSURE. EVENT LASTED APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS. IT DID NOT TRIP A TROUBLE CODE, OR RECUR. APPROXIMATELY 255,000 MILES ON CHASSIS. NO DAMAGE, BUT RISK OF IT VERY HIGH. MCGREGOR, TEXAS, TURNING L OFF OF US 84 EASTBOUND ONTO TX 317 NORTHBOUND. DRIVER IS RETIRED BUT VERY ACCOMPLISHED ENGINEER, WITH 3 ENGINEERING DEGREES, AND DECADES OF WIDE-RANGING EXPERIENCE. THIS HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH PUSHING THE WRONG PEDAL. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE MY FOOT WAS.

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 6, 2010OH

1998 NISSAN SENTRA WAS STRUCK BY UNIT 2 STRUCK IN THE REAR AS THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING ENGINE TROUBLE AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THIS CAUSED SENTRA TO GO OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND OVERTURN IN THE DITCH. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0414-89)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 22, 2008103,000 milesKY

1998 NISSAN SENTRA GXE WOULD NOT TAKE FUEL. AT THE GAS PUMP, THE PUMP WOULD CLICK OFF, LIKE THE TANK WAS FULL. IT WOULD TAKE LESS THAN A GALLON OF GAS AT A TIME. *TR I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AND QUESTIONED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS JUST A BULLETIN ON IT. I NEVER LOCATED THE BULLETIN. THE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THAT PART ALONE, WAS OVER $300. DOLLARS. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 2, 2008120,000 milesNY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. IT SEEMS TO BE PART OF THE RECALL THAT IS PART OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER, NISSAN CLAIMS THAT WHILE MY CAR IS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR OF RECALL, AND FALLS WITHIN THE AFFECTED VINS THAT MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED...*CN

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Sep 17, 2007120,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE SEPARATED FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V093000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 18, 2007127,000 milesNY

MY WIPERS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE OTHER DAY, THEY COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED ONLINE, AND FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN, THE MANUFACTURE. AT FIRST, THEY SAID MY CAR WAS AFFECTED, THAT THEY WOULD CALL TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CAR HAD NOT ALREADY BEEN BROUGHT IN (I AM THE SECOND OWNER). I CONSULTED MY FRIEND, WHO I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE WIPERS WERE ALWAYS A LITTLE OFF, BUT THAT SHE NEVER GOT NOTICE OF A RECALL, AND NEVER GOT THEM FIXED. I ALSO LOOKED FURTHER INTO THIS ISSUE ON THIS SITE, WHERE I FOUND THE VIN NUMBERS OF VEHICLES AFFECTED, AND ALSO SAW HOW THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS LATER, [XXX], THE REP FROM NISSAN, CALLED TO TELL ME THAT MY CAR'S RECALL WAS "CLOSED". I ASKED IF HE SAID THIS MEANT MY CAR WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. HE STATED THAT HE COULDN'T TELL ME THAT. WHEN I PRESENTED TO HIM THE INFORMATION THAT I GOT ONLINE, WHICH IDENTIFIED ALL AFFECTED VIN #'S, AND THAT MINE WAS ONE OF THEM, HE SAID HE COULDN'T TELL ME IF MY CAR WAS INVOLVED, BUT THAT "THE CASE IS CLOSED". I PERSISTED, STATING THAT MY FRIEND WHO WAS THE SOLE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED, AND ASKED CHRIS TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE DATE/PLACE WHERE THE SUPPOSED FIXING OF THE RECALL TOOK PLACE. AGAIN, THE INFORMATION SUPPOSEDLY DOESN'T EXIST. ALL CHRIS WOULD TELL ME WAS THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THEY ARE LYING. RIGHT NOW, I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THE RAIN OR SNOW. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECT OF DESI

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Oct 16, 200673,000 milesFL

I WAS REAR ENDED BY A MERCURY MINIVAN (ESTIMATED SPEED 30 MPH) AND PUSHED INTO A DODGE MINIVAN. THE FRONT BUMPER GOT CRACKED IN HALF, THE RADIATOR AND BATTERY WERE ALSO DISPLACED. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, THE REAR BUMPER WAS ALMOST TORN OFF AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE PANEL SHOWS DENTS BEYOND THE GAS CAP. I AM BEING TOLD THAT BECAUSE I WAS REAR IMPACTED, AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE WITH A HIGHER BUMPER THAN MY OWN THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. A REAR IMPACT STILL THROWS YOU FORWARD, AND THE NUMBER OF SUVS AND MINI VANS ON THE ROAD MAKES THIS SEEM LIKE A MAJOR HAZARD. PICTURES OF MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Sep 6, 200669,000 milesCT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES SEPARATED AT THE JOINT PIVOT WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTERWARDS, THE LINKAGES SEPARATED AGAIN WITH NORMAL USE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V093000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsFire
Filed May 23, 2006115,513 milesGA

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED MY 1998 NISSAN SENTRA XE/GXE JANUARY 27, 2005, FROM A USED AUTO CAR DEALER. MAY 18. 2006 DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE OCCURRED THAT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO GO UP IN FLAMES AND CAUSED IT TO BE DESTROYED. THE FIRE STARTED WITH THE HEAD LIGHT AND LEADING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE MOTOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO THE SCENE. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRE WAS THAT IT STARTED FROM THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WHICH HAD A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING AND SET OFF A BOX BEHIND THE LIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE TO MELT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BOX WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE TO SPREAD. *JB

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid1 injured
Filed Jul 6, 2005168,000 milesCA

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 1998 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN SHE WENT TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK, SHE SLICED HER HAND SLICED ON THE SURFACE OF THE TRUNK LID IN THE BACK THAT CONNECTS TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A SHARP PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS UNSEEN TO THE CONSUMER. THIS CUT FELT LIKE A RAZOR BLADE CUTTING HER HAND. THE METAL WAS TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE TRUNK. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 2, 2005. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THERE WAS NO HOSPITAL VISIT. OWNER HAD NEVER NOTICED THIS BEFORE. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP AVAILABLE. CONSUMER SAID IT WAS A SCARY THING TO FIND HAND CUT LIKE THAT.*AK

Air BagsCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Feb 15, 2005NJ

WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED OVER INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE LANE AND HIT THE NISSAN HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE DRIVER 'S SEAT BELT SHEARED OFF DURING THE COLLISION. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IT THEN CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER. PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DRIVER WAS DOA. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS INFORMATION WAS FURNISHED BY THE WIFE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 14, 2004265,803 milesWV

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40 MPH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND THE RIGHT ARM FROM THE SEAT BELT. INSURANCE COMPANY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Dec 8, 2004102,000 milesNY

WINDSHIELD LINKAGE WERE DEFECTIVE, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.98V093000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD THE LINK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TC THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND THE LEFT FRONT SEAT DID NOT MOVE PROPERLY ON TRACK. *SC *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Aug 20, 200439,500 milesIL

THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS BECAME TANGLED INSIDE THE RETRACTOR. *AK *SC *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Aug 16, 2004110,000 milesPA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS INCLUDED. *AK *SC *JB

Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 200420,000 milesNY

THE SPRINGS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE STRUTS DROPPED AND PUNCTURED THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE. PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN AS WELL. CURRENTLY THE RIGHT SPRINGS WERE TEARING A 6 INCH GASH IN THE TIRE. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE: THERE WAS A BANG NOISE AND GRIND WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO A BROKEN LEFT STRUT AND STRUT BEARING, AND NOISE IN THE WIPERS DURING INTERMITTENT RELAY. *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 16, 2004CA

SINCE PURCHASE, BRAKES HAVE REQUIRED REPEATED REPLACEMENT STARTING AT 4,759 MILES 2 1/2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. 1998-PRESENT IS THE PERIOD OVER WHICH THIS MATTER CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. DATE BELOW IS NOT SPECIFIC AS RANGE CANNOT BE INPUT. THE CONSUMER NOTED THAT NISSAN HAS TAKEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES, THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE FAULTY BRAKE PROBLEM. *CB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 13, 200469,400 milesCA

DRIVING APPROX 30-40MPH AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR WHICH MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY CAR WAS TOTALLED. REPORTED TO NISSAN AND NOTHING WAS DONE REGARDING IT.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Jan 8, 200486,100 milesWI

NISSAN HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 98V093000). ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN WEB SITE MY VEHICLE [XXX] IS IN THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VINS. MY WIPERS FAILED IN THE EXACT MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL (WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT IN THE WIPER LINKAGE CAUSING THE LINKAGE TO SEPARATE), BUT NISSAN (AND THE NISSAN DEALER) REFUSE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WORK UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THEY CLAIM THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN, ALTHOUGH IN THE CORRECT RANGE, IS NOT AFFECTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND NEARLY CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT WHICH VINS ARE TRULY AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *LA UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 23, 2003CA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SAND, CAUSING THE TIE-ROD TO BREAK. THE CAR SHOT TO THE LEFT AND I HIT A BRIM OF SAND AND ROCKS CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL SEVERAL TIMES OVER. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jan 27, 200383,000 milesNC

MY CAR LOST POWER,I HAD TO DRIVE MAYBE (6) SIX MILES TO THE DEALER.WENT I GOT THERE I GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FORM TRUNK.I OPEN TRUNK AND SAW THAT THE CARPET WAS SMOKING AND HAD MELTED.THERE WAS A BURNT SPOT WHERE THE CARPET WAS.MY POINT IS THAT I HAD THREE QUARTER TANK OF GAS IN MY CAR.I COULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN-UP IN THAT CAR IF I HAD TO GO MUCH FARTHER.IT REALLY BURNT THAT CARPET GOOD.THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE CONVERTER,WHICH COMES TOGETHER AND COST $901.87 TO REPAIR.I BOUGHT THIS CAR ONLY A WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT,FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON HWY 70 EAST NO DOUGHT.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 8, 2003NY

CONSUMER STATES FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED CAUSING LOST OF STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS *DT

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Dec 2, 2002NJ

WE PAID NISSAN $88.75 FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO TELL US THAT WE NEED A NEW GAS TANK ($900) DUE TO A CANISTER LEAKING AND CLOGGING THE AIR FILTER INSIDE THE TANK. THEY WANT US TO PAY $900 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK! WE THINK IT MUST BE A DEFECT BECAUSE GAS TANKS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR OR ATLEAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS. WE ARE DRIVING WITH THE SMELL OF GAS UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. PLEASE HELP. DT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR. *JB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 19, 2002OR

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 30-35 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 24, 2002FL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 15, 2002CA

THE HEATER CORE OF THE RADIATOR FAILED. DEFROST COOLANT SPILLED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT AND COOLANT GOT INTO THE VENT SYSTEM. WE NOTICED THE DEFECT BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT OF THE COOLANT IS ETHYLENE GLYCOL. WHEN WE ASKED WHY THE COOLANT WOULD SPILL INTO THE CAR AND INTO THE VENTS, THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DIRECTOR INFORMED US THAT "IT IS THE ONLY PLACE IT COULD GO." THE MANUFACTURER TOOK CARE OF THE COST OF REPAIR OF THIS PART. HOWEVER, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE CAR IS DESIGNED SUCH THAT COOLANT WOULD BE LEAKED INTO THE VENTS AND THAT THERE IS NO MENTION OF THIS POSSIBILITY IN THE VEHICLE BOOKLET. WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE WHO SUFFER A SIMILAR SITUATION WILL NOT BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE INHALING COOLANT THROUGH THE VENT SYSTEM FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THEY ARE BEING EXPOSED TO THIS COMPONENT.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 10, 2001AL

HIT ANOTHER CAR WITH FRONT OF MINE AND TOTALED MINE. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 19, 2001MO

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 22, 2001MD

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, TO AVOID HITTING DEER, CONSUMER HIT A WALL HEAD-ON AND TWO TREES. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Mar 20, 2001WI

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 31, 2001CT

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 98V093000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NTB98-06 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALER IS TRYING TO CHARGE FOR A MOTOR , AND PROBLEM IS A PLASTIC BALL JOINT PIECE. IF TOO MUCH WATER GETS INTO IT, IT WON'T FUNCTION. A MECHANIC HAS ALSO DETERMINED PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension
Filed Jan 29, 2001TX

WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY IN FACTORY WHICH AND WAS CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO LEFT AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER 7 TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE , KEPT DOING ALIGNMENTS. COSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INDICATED CAUSE OF DEFECT.*AK

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Nov 27, 2000FL

PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 1999 BURNED BEYOND REPAIR DECEMBER 1999 NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID TOO BAD FOR ME. NOT A DEFECT. NO DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 4, 2000NY

CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO FRONT TIRES HAVING LOW THREAD ON INSIDE PART OF TIRE. CAR WAS AT DEALER'S 9 MONTH AGO AND REPORTED NO UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR ON ANY TIRES, RECOMMENDED ONLY BALANCING. SUSPECTED PROBLEM TO BE ALIGNMENT, BUT NONE WAS MENTIONED BY DEALER ON 11/30/99. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, WITH 22500 MILES AND NOW NEED 2 NEW TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 175/65R14 )

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 17, 2000WV

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASION, ONCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE PARKING AND RAN INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING CAUSING FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE. NLM

Vehicle Speed Control › LinkagesCrash
Filed Jul 10, 2000WV

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN JANUARY OF 1999 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MARCH OF 1999 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND SUGGESTED THAT THE OPERATOR WAS DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 23, 1999 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THE FOURTH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGST 5, 199 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THE FIFTH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 19, 1999 AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STRIKING THE BRICK FRONT OF A CMMMERCIAL BEAUTY SALON. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BMPER AND DAMAGED TEH BRICKS ON THE BUILDING. THE AIRBAGS DDI NOT DEPLOY. THE SIXTH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 3, 2000 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THE SEVENTH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 3, 2000 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). THE EIGHT INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRRED ON JUNE 3, 2000 (NO INJURY OR PRPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED). ON JUNE 4, 2000 ALL PRIOR INCIDENTS WERE REPRTED TO DEALER AND INFORMATION ABTAINED FROM A SERVICE MECHANIC FOR ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER INDICATING THAT THE AIC OR AIA VALVES WERE AT FAULT WAS RELAYED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF HARRY GREEN CHEVROLET. THEY ADVISED THAT THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PROVE TO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master CylinderCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 22, 2000TN

MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT PUMPING ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FLUID PROPERLY, CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL IN AN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE CUSTOMER HAD BRAKES FIXED TWICE BUT FAILED AGAIN CAUSING ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Jun 8, 2000UN

BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PUSH DOWN ON BOTH BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME.*ET

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 16, 2000MD

DRIVER HIT A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON WITH AN APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IMPACT , AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJUIRES. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 27, 2000NJ

WHEN TRAVELING 20-30 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCLEARATION, EVEN WHEN EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 21, 1999VA

NO SUMMARY

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 2, 1999UT

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

TiresCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 9, 1999MD

NO SUMMARY NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/60HR15 )

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 18, 1999TN

AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, EVEN WHEN EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed May 12, 1999TN

WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOPAND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 18, 1999TN

DEFECTIVE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM NOT TO ACTIVATE. ALSO PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH, VEHICLE VIBRATES AND ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN #. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

AIR CONDITIONER SOLENOID FAILED. MJS

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

SPARK PLUGS FAILED. YH

Complaints 1-50 of 58, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202619110Routine
202531400Routine
202441300Routine
202320100Routine
202281200Routine
2021133310Routine
2020207400Above average
2019223210Above average
2018185231Fatalities reported
2017231360Above average
2016270620Above average
2015352330Above 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
1998 — this page58521Fatalities reported
1997108712Fatalities reported
1996141710Routine
1995117732Fatalities reported
199499050Routine
199358020Routine
1992620150Routine
1991632101Fatalities reported
199039231Fatalities reported

Compare every Sentra year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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.