RoadVitals

1989 Nissan Sentra

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Aug 30, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
4 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Nissan Sentra, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts2248.9%
  • Engine920.0%
  • Suspension36.7%
  • Body & structure36.7%
  • Interior & seats24.4%
  • Electrical12.2%
  • Driver assistance12.2%
  • Steering12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103002

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
2,730,462 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95007ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103002

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 41
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2003

CAR DIES AT STOPS.EASILY STARTS UP AGAIN. OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT DID NOT MAKE A CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS TRAFFIC IS HEAVY. MECHANIC HAS CLEANED AND CHECKED BUT CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. THIS STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.*AK

NHTSA ID
10036904
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Nov 6, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP,AND MECHANIC INDICATED BUSHINGS HAD WORN OUT EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, WELDS HAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED T FRAME TO CRACK ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. MECHANIC GAVE NO GUARANTEE PRBLEM WILL REMAIN FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID
898817
Incident
Oct 20, 2001
Suspension
Filed Apr 13, 2000
Crash reported

AUTOMOBILE JUMPED FORWARD IN LOWER GEARS. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE JUMPING WAS THE CAUSE. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860311
Incident
Mar 25, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 25, 1999

WAS GOING 30MPH WHEN ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR. THROTTLE STUCK. HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. STEERED VEHICLE TO PARKING LOT. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. PUSHED INTO PARKING SPACE. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER, BUT WILL BE GOING. *AK*ADJ

NHTSA ID
841194
Incident
Apr 16, 1999
Engine
Filed Jan 4, 1999
Crash reported1 death reported

WHENEVER VEHICLE MADE A STOP OR WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK IN ORDER TO START BACK UP. DRIVER WAS KILLED IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE VEHICLE STALLED COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
832978
Suspension
Filed Oct 7, 1998

DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE STRUTS REAR TIRES GOT BALD 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE STRUTS. PRESENTLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
828684
Incident
Jul 1, 1989
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 1998

BRAKE SEALS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
604600
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 1998

VEHICLE BODY CONTAINS STRESS FRACTURES.

NHTSA ID
533713

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Sentra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026131050.8
2025264064.4
2024343062.2
2023191049.9
2022802051.9
20211293059.6
20202044051.6
20192212052.3
20181842052.5
20172303060.0
20162676055.0
20153503053.0
20143805361.6
20136386359.1
20121800036.8
20111422052.2
20101443052.2
2009551044.5
20081673157.1
20071541151.6
20061166363.9
20051706361.1
20041975362.9
200318010259.9
200231814159.4
20012368053.9
20001717055.6
1999593055.7
1998585061.0
19971087059.2
19961417165.9
19951177164.1
1994990149.0
1993580145.3
1992620152.4
1991632264.0
1990392160.4
1989Viewing411154.5
1988371158.0
1987361151.4
1986600—
1985601—
1984302—
1983113—
1982113—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.