1999 Nissan Sentra

Routine

Owners filed 59 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition8
100
Tires5
000
Air Bags › Frontal5
503
Vehicle Speed Control4
102
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Suspension › Front3
000
Electrical System3
001
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer2
000
Structure › Body › Door2
101
Wheels › Hub1
000

3 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 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2015SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 01V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 11, 2014IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Tires
Filed Jan 30, 2013155,432 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN SENTRA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES, SIZE 175/65R14 DOT NUMBER (PJ8JH6HR5011). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF BOTH TIRES WERE SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE TIRE WARRANTY HAD TO BE REDEEMED AT THE LOCATION FROM WHICH THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE TIRES WERE NOT EXCHANGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 155,432. THE FAILURE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 300. .... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 13, 201169,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL WOULD OVERFLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WHENEVER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THEY DETECTED THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION AS A RESULT TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 2, 2008PA

THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002, 2005-2006 NISSAN SENTRAS & ALTIMAS WITH THE SENSOR. THE CAR CAN SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND ENGINE STALL. MY CAR IS A 1999 NISSAN SENTRA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE WRONG YEAR. REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR IT SHOULD BE FIXED OR I SHOULD RECEIVE SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION. LUCKILY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR SHUT DOWN I WASN'T HIT FROM THE BACK. I AM LOOKING TO FILE A LAW SUIT OVER THIS MATTER BECAUSE I SPENT MY MONEY ON THIS CAR BUYING IT BRAND NEW AND THIS ORGANIZATION JUST SHOVED ME OFF LIKE MY PROBLEM DOESN'T MATTER. I USE MY CAR AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR AND CATCHING THE BUS. IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S THEIR CAR!*CN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2007215,000 milesMD

THE TEETH ON ONE OF THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKETS WORE DOWN CAUSING BENT VALVES DUE TO TIMING FAILURE. THE HEAD WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE DAMAGED PARTS OR A NEW/REBUILT ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 10, 2007MA

THE FUEL FILLER TANK/HOSE ON MY FATHER'S 1999 NISSAN SENTRA MUST BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FORM NISSAN; IT IS NO LONGER MADE AND THERE IS NO 'AFTER MARKET" ITEM. HE TRIED A 2000 PART; IT COULD NOT BE MADE TO FIT. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY, HAVE TALKED TO DEALERS, ETC. WITHOUT THIS NEEDED REPAIR, THE CAR IS BASICALLY OF NO VALUE. IT CANNOT BE SOLD, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. COMPLETE FRUSTRATION. THE CAR ITSELF IS GREAT, LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, NO RUST, EXCELLENT M[G, ETC. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW/ WHO TO COMPLAIN TO/ NISSANS RESPONSE SEEMS TO BE "TOUGH LUCK" AND THERE IS NO RECOURSE. *JB

Tires
Filed May 28, 2007FL

AS MY WIFE AND I TRAVELED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ON 5-28-2007, MY REAR TIRE CAME APART CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SPIN 360 DEGREES AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE INCIDENT. THANK GOD, THE TRAFFIC SURROUNDING MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY MY SPINNING. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS TEMPORARILY SECURED BY THE HIGHWAY ROAD RANGER AND I WAS REQUIRED TO DRIVE AT VERY LOW SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY TO REACH MY DESTINATION. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 12, 2007101,108 milesNC

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO FULLY FUNCTION. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE SLOWED. HOWEVER, AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER TO COME TO A FULL STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. A TWO VEHICLE CAR CRASH RESULTED, AND THE SENTRA IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BRAKES WERE LAST SERVICED ON 10-23-06. I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERSHIP, SINCE I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. I HAD THE SAME SUPSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE - TIRES WEARING PREMATURELY ON THE INSIDE. IN ONE INSTANCE, NISSAN OF HICKORY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. AFTER TWO HOURS, THE SERVICE MANAGER WALKED ME INTO THE GARAGE, WHERE HE TRIED TO PROVE THE PROBLEM WAS MY TIRES. I POINTED TO A LEAKING SHOCK ON MY VEHICLE, AND HE WAS SUPRISED AND UPSET THAT I NOTICED IT. HE THEN TOLD ME THEY DID NOT TAKE THE TIRES OFF MY VEHICLE IN THE TWO HOURS I WAS WAITING. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN NISSAN OF HICKORY TO EXAMINE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THAT INCIDENT. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment DevicesCrash
Filed Jul 25, 2006NY

THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1999 NISSAN ARE OPAQUE. THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS DIMINISHED AT LEAST 40%. THE DEALER WANTS $200 FOR REPLACEMENT OF PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS. I THEN NOTICED THAT MANY CARS THAT ARE OVER 5 YEARS OLD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, DIMINISHED LIGHTING DUE TO POOR PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS. I HOPE YOU CAN GET NISSAN AND ALL OTHER MAKES INVOLVED TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS FOR FREE. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jan 10, 2006FL

CAR IS VIBRATING AND SHAKING IN THE FRONT END, REPLACED SET OF TIRES THEN THE NEW TIRES WERE BEING DAMAGED AGAIN BY THE VIBRATION. NISSAN REFUSED TO CHECK DRIVE AXLES WHICH SEEM TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE VIBRATION. THE PART LOOKS IN GOOD CONDITION, WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT IS THE DRIVE AXLE. *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 10, 2005CA

CAR WAS BEING PARKED WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION TOOK OVER AND CAUSED THE CAR TO CRASH INTO A WALL. ON AUGUST 8, TWO WOMEN WERE INJURED. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Jan 21, 2005NH

ON MY 1999 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6L,IT APPEARS THAT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AS ON THE 1996'S,97'S,AND 98'S. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE 1999'S! CAN I GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE OR WHAT? IT IS A REAL PAIN BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DURING RAIN OR SNOW STORMS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A LEGITIMATE RECALL AS ON OTHER YEARS. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 3, 2005IL

WINDSHIELD WIPERS RECALL ISSUED, BUT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)
Filed Jul 28, 200472,900 milesAZ

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CLUTCH HAD A LITTLE MORE "PLAY" IN THE PEDAL THAN NORMAL. I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY IMAGINATION UNTIL WITHIN ANOTHER 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE GEARS STARTED SHIFTING HARDER THAN NORMAL AS WELL. WITHIN ANOTHER FEW MINUTES, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS ALMOST ALL THE WAY IN, AND THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RELEASING CAUSING ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND GET THE CAR INTO SECOND GEAR AND DRIVE THE REMAINDER OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. ONCE HOME WITH THE CAR, I INSPECTED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE CLUTCH CABLE UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE PIECE THE CLUTCH CABLE ATTACHES TO (THE WITHDRAWAL LEVER) WAS CRACKED AND ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT AFTER ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH SYSTEM AND TEST DRIVING IT, HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I OBSERVED, AND ALMOST COULDN'T GET THE CAR BACK TO HIS SHOP FROM THE TEST DRIVE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS IT HAD OBVIOUSLY FAILED, AS WELL AS THE DEFECTIVE WITHDRAWAL LEVER. HE FOUND NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH AND LEVER, OTHER THAN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HE DID NOT FEEL THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR ABUSE. *AK

Suspension
Filed Jun 29, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 29, 2004TX

WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. *AK

Tires
Filed May 24, 200477,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 17, 200488,000 milesKS

TIMING CHAIN AND RELATED PARTS WORE OUT LONG BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE.

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 200478,987 milesMD

I HAD JUST ENTERED A 3-LANE HIGHWAY AND WAS DRIVING 25-30 MPH IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST STOPPED! I HAD NO LIGHTS, NO BRAKES, NO HORN, NO STEERING. BY SOME SMALL MIRACLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STOPPED THE CAR,AND I HAD A CELL PHONE. THE POLICE GOT THERE BEFORE ANYONE HIT ME. SHEEHY NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH SENTRAS, AND SEVERAL YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS FOR THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS, BUT 1999 WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEREFORE, THE REPAIRS AS ESTIMATED WOULD COST ME ROUGHLY ONE GRAND. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT MY SON AND BABY GIRL WERE WITH ME WHEN THE CAR FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. AREN'T THE DEALERS REQUIRED TO REPORT THIS SORT OF THING TO THE MANUFACTURER?*AK

20 of 59 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
1999 — this page59300Routine
199858521Fatalities reported
1997108712Fatalities reported
1996141710Routine
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.