RoadVitals

1991 Nissan Sentra Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
63
Latest Jan 24, 2012
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.
18
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 20, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 63 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Nissan Sentra. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 63 · page 1 of 3

Fuel system
Filed Jan 24, 2012

FUEL SYSTEM HOSES MAY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY, LEADING TO LIQUID FUEL (GASOLINE) LEAKAGE, AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445009
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK. THE CLUTCH APPEARED LOOSE AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS FAULTY.

NHTSA ID
10166980
Incident
Aug 25, 2006
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 9, 2006
Fire reported

A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE IN MY 1991 SENTRA. QUICK ACTION I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE CAR FROM AN ENTIRE LOSS WHICH CLEARLY POINTS TO WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TO EVEN LOOK AT UNLESS THEY CHARGED ME 89 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY COULD ANSWER ME WHEN ASKED WHAT VALUE THAT WOULD ADD SINCE I HAVE ALL THE WIRES SEPARATED AND SAFELY TAPED FROM SHORTING FURTHER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10165061
Incident
Aug 5, 2006
Mileage
286,320 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2005

1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY DIFFERENT WHENEVER I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TIME TO RECEIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. UNTIL 3/27/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OUT TO AN EXIT WHEN I WAS REALIZING A QUIET GRIND AT THE END OF STOPPING PROCESS . NOW 3/29/04 THE ROTOR IS COMPLETELY GRINDED OFF,NO BRAKE PADS, ACCORDING TO THE "MECHANIC" THE CALIPER IS SEIZED SHUT. 2.) POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, SPENT A TOTAL OF $150 DOLLARS, WOULD OF BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 3.) THE MECHANIC SAID,"THE PARTS HAVE NO WARRANTY, THE LABOR WAS NOT A CAUSE OF FAILURE (DENIAL) AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE NEITHER BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, OR CALIPERS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10116060
Incident
Mar 29, 2005
Mileage
202,299 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2005

BAD PRODUCT(PRIMER AND PAINT ) FOR THE WHOLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAINTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SOME PARTS"FENDERS,TRUNK HAVE BEEN PAINTED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES)!! THE CAR WAS PAINTED ALL TIMES EXCEPT FOR THIS LAST TIME WHICH WAS OUT OF POCKET FOR $500.00.(HOOD AND BOTTOM OF TRUNK LID WAS DONE. THE INDEPENDENT PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE REASON THE PAINT KEEPS FAILING(CLEAR COAT PEELING PAINT FADING IS THE BASE PRIMER ON A LOT OF THESE CARS ARE BAD FROM FACTORY HE STRIPPED THESE PARTS TO BARE METAL AND STARTED FROM SCRATCH, THE PARTS ARE OK NOW IM STILL HAVING FADING PROBLEMS AND CLEAR COAT PEELING TO THIS DAY ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR THAT WERE "SUPPOSE TO BE" FIXED.. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE GENTLEMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS JUST TAKING THE TOP COAT OF PAINT OFF AND JUST REASSURING THE NEW PAINT ON TOP OF BAD PRIMER,(WHICH IN TURN WILL JUST COME OFF AGAIN IN TIME) SUNBELT NISSAN BLAMED THE PAINT MAKER(BASF COATING)FOR BAD PRODUCT EVERY TIME AND TRIED TO WASH THEIR HANDS OF IT UNTIL I GOT TO THE POINT OF THREATENING WITH ACTION SUCH AS THIS AND THEY COMPLIED BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOW THE PAINT THAT WAS REDONE BY THEM STILL HAS A WARRANTY THAT COVERS THE PAINT BUT THEY NOW CLAIM SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE A BODY SHOP ANYMORE THEY WILL NOT HONOR WHAT THEY TOLD ME BEFORE ABOUT COVERING THE WARRANTY. I GUESS THEY FIGURED OUT A WAY AFTER ALL TO PUSH ME ASIDE!! RIGHT NOW THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS CAR'S PAINT BACK IN SHAPE IS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO EVENTUALLY GET AS GOOD PAINT JOB ON THIS CAR. I KNOW A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS EMPLOYED BY THIS NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT THEY KNEW THE FINISH WAS BAD BUT THEY WERE GOING TO STAND BY AND DO NOTHING FOR AS LONG AS THEY COULD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10107710
Incident
Aug 28, 2000
Mileage
15,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 16, 2002

DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT LOCK UP, LAP BELT WORKS AS IT SHOULD. BOTH SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8007737
Incident
Mar 15, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed May 16, 2001
1 injury reported

CONSUMER STATES AS HE WAS GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HIS LEFT ACHILLES TENDON STRUCK THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT THAT CONTROLS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT FROM FRONT TO BACK, CONSUMERS MOBILITY WAS HAMPERED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, CONSUMER FEELS THE LEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT OR MADE WITH THICKER SHAFT. *JB

NHTSA ID
561228
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Feb 6, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
740510
Incident
Feb 3, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Nov 3, 2000
Crash reported1 death reported

RESTRAINT SYSTEM ANALYSIS WAS PERFORMED BY CHP-CENTRAL DIVISION MAIT. THE ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE RESTRAINT FAILED AT THE LATCH PLATE CONNECTION TO THE MOTORIZED GUIDE PLATE. THIS REPORT IS BEING FILED FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER BY THE CHP PER OUR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY.*AK

NHTSA ID
735685
Incident
Aug 8, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A STRONG SMELL AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN PULLED OVER, AND THE SMOKE ERRUPTED INTO FLAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT FIRE WAS FUEL RELATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
868763
Incident
Aug 18, 2000
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2000

WHILE DRIVING WIRING WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSED A QUARTER OF FUEL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE PISTON AND ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE GASKETS TO BLOW. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
859209
Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2000
Crash reported

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILURE DUE TO ABS BY-PASS COMING ON. BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP PROPERLY. THIS HAS RERSULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS, BUT NO INJURIES. ALSO BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG OR COULD BE FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ID
855663
Incident
Jun 15, 1991
Transmission
Filed Oct 25, 1999

MY TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY HANGS UP IN SECOND GEAR. ALSO, IT WILL PERIODICALLY HANG UP IN PASSING GEAR. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE IN WARM WEATHER THAN IN COLD. IF IT HANGS UP, I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND REACCELERATE TO GO THROUGH THE GEARS. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, I MUST LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. I WAS TOLD BY A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT A VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION IS THE CULPRIT AND IS A PROBLEM ON NISSANS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
713804
Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 1999

THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS (AND RECALL-WORTHY) BECAUSE IT LEAVES THE CAR WITHOUT POWER, SUDDENLY, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON SEVERAL WEBSITES SUCH AS: HTTP://WWW.SE-R-LIST.ORG/FIFTH.GEAR.PHTML. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
710115
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 1999
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHCLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
844384
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Filed Jul 27, 1999

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL 1991 NISSAN SENTRA'S WITH METALLIC GREY PAINT DELAMINATING. HOOD AND TRUNK ARE MOST COMMON AREAS. HAVE SEEN 4 , 1991 CARS CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
709272
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 14, 1999

VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH RETREADED TIRE. WHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TOP TREAD POPPED OFF THE TIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
839713
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 1998
Fire reported

RUBBER FUEL LINE FAILURE BETWEEN STAINLESS LINE COMING FROM FUEL TANK TO FUEL RAIL. CONTACT JOHN AT SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION. 727-848-3923

NHTSA ID
701444
Incident
Oct 9, 1998
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 1998
Fire reported

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEFAULT IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICL FIRE THAT BURNED THROUGH A FUEL LINE COMING FROM THE CARBURATOR. A LOT OF DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE AREA AROUND THE HARNESS AND IT WAS ONLY GOOD LUCK THAT KEPT THE FIRE FROM CAUSING A COMPLETE BURN DOWN. ARE THERE ANY OTHER REPORTS ON THIS TYPE DEFECT? HAS THERE BEEN A CALL BACK FOR THIS DEFECT? I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS.

NHTSA ID
700243
Incident
Oct 26, 1998
Seat beltsTransmission
Filed Jul 9, 1998

VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK UP. SEAT BELTS WERE CHANGED. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY INTO GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
825191
Incident
Feb 12, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Mar 10, 1998

VEHICLE'S PAINT IS FADING.

NHTSA ID
532515
Fuel system
Filed Feb 5, 1998

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING HESITATION IN TRANSMISSION .

NHTSA ID
529913
Incident
Jun 1, 1997
Visibility
Filed Jan 30, 1998

RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
523358
Incident
Aug 1, 1997
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 1997
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
819150
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 22, 1997

POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRES CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS, TRUCK LOCKS, HEATER FAN, DASH AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS TO FAIL. NLM

NHTSA ID
605574

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .