Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 141 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports1 fire reports25 injury reports
What owners actually said
141 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2000
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR AND THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT. WHEN THE DOORS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND THEY ARE EJECTED. OUR SON WAS A PASSENGER IN OUR NEPHEWS NISSAN WHEN IT WAS ROLLED. HE RECEIVED A SHOULD STRAP ABRASION TO HIS NECK - DOCUMENTED, BUT WA…
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THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR AND THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT. WHEN THE DOORS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND THEY ARE EJECTED. OUR SON WAS A PASSENGER IN OUR NEPHEWS NISSAN WHEN IT WAS ROLLED. HE RECEIVED A SHOULD STRAP ABRASION TO HIS NECK - DOCUMENTED, BUT WAS EJECTED - PICTURES OF THE WRECKED VEHICLE SHOW THE SEAT BELTS ATTACHED TO THE DAMAGED DOOR THAT IS AJAR. OUR SON RECEIVED A COMPRESSION FRACTURE TO HIS BACK AND LUXATED BOTH HIPS. OUR CONCERN IS FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHO MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE NO PROTECTION IF THEY ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS OPEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721489
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2000
Power Train
ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS NOW, AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND PICKING IT UP ONE WEEK AGO, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK GEAR TO DRIVE, WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE GETTY GAS STATION AFTER GETTING GAS AS WELL AS TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE TO CONTINUA…
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ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS NOW, AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND PICKING IT UP ONE WEEK AGO, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK GEAR TO DRIVE, WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE GETTY GAS STATION AFTER GETTING GAS AS WELL AS TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE TO CONTINUALLY PRESS THE BUTTON, TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF, AND STEP ON THE REGULAR BRAKE, BEFORE THE BUTTON SUDDENLY WORKS AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719360
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2000
Child SeatSeat BeltsCrash
FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT UNLATCHED WHILE IN A CRASH. THE CSS, IN REAR, FLEW OUT AND HIT THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IN TURN, DRIVER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856377
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND HITTING A DEER. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY WHICH FORCED THE DRIVER FORWARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856259
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Visibility
MIRRORS ARE NOT ANGLED RIGHT. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR DOESN'T ALLOW CONSUMER TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856191
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1999
Air BagsCrash
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND (WHILE STOPPED) AND WAS PUSHED INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. THE MECHANICS AND THE OTHER PERSON'S INSURANCE CO. SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. WE WEREN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH. WELL THEY DID, AND NOW I'M STUCK WITH THE BILL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716171
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1999
Unknown Or Other
ON THE INTERNET OTHER SENTRA OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME COMPLAINT, BUT NISSAN HAS YET TO ISSUE RECALL. NOSAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716069
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
THE TWO NUTS HOLDING THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE (GAS PEDAL LINKAGE) BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE BOLT ON THE CABLE TO SLIDE OUT OF ITS SLOT (NOT HOLE) AND THE THROTTLE WOULD STICK. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THIS ON 3 OCCASIONS, BUT ON THE THIRD MANAGED TO GET TO MY HOUSE, POP THE HOOD, AND SEE THE CABLE IN THE NOT-SO-RIGHT POSITION. L…
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THE TWO NUTS HOLDING THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE (GAS PEDAL LINKAGE) BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE BOLT ON THE CABLE TO SLIDE OUT OF ITS SLOT (NOT HOLE) AND THE THROTTLE WOULD STICK. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THIS ON 3 OCCASIONS, BUT ON THE THIRD MANAGED TO GET TO MY HOUSE, POP THE HOOD, AND SEE THE CABLE IN THE NOT-SO-RIGHT POSITION. LOCKING WASHERS WOULD FIX THIS AND ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE INJURY TO PERSONS THAT MAY HAVE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS (I HAD A STICK, SO I JUST PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED).
NHTSA ODI #713324
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Wheels
ALL FOUR HUB CABS LOOSE UPON INSPECTION. MJS
NHTSA ODI #548625
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN USA, BUT AM STATIONED OVERSEAS IN GERMANY WITH CAR. MY PHONE NUMBER IS 011-49-6333-775083.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
SQ99018 · Corrision Fatigue Of Front Coil Springs
Opened Jun 17, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA OF 11,100 1994 THROUGH 1996 SENTRA 2 DOOR MODELS IN WHICH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE FRACTURING FROM CORROSION FATIGUE.NISSAN REPORTED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR FROM A LOSS OF THE PROTECTIVE PAINT COATING ON THE SPRINGS AND EXPOSURE TO HEAVY ROAD SALT.CORROSION CAN CAUSE PITS TO FORM ON THE SPRING SURFACE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SPRING.A BROKEN SPRING COULDPUNCTURE THE AFFECTED TIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE CANADIAN RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 99-069, DATED APRIL 28, 1999.THE PURPOSE OF THIS SQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE CANADIAN SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN THE U.S. AS A SAFETY RECALL.
1996 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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