RoadVitals

1991 Nissan Sentra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
63
Latest Jan 24, 2012
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Nissan Sentra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Seat belts2029.0%
  • Brakes710.1%
  • Engine45.8%
  • Body & structure34.3%
  • Visibility22.9%
  • Interior & seats22.9%
  • Suspension22.9%
  • Tires & wheels11.4%
  • Other / unspecified11.4%
  • Driver assistance11.4%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 BOTH SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.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 · filed Apr 16, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 740510 · filed Feb 6, 2001
All 20 reports naming seat belts

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10445009 · filed Jan 24, 2012

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 · filed Aug 25, 2000
All 10 reports naming fuel system

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 9, 2006

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 · filed Aug 5, 1999
All 8 reports naming electrical

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 29, 2006

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 · filed Oct 25, 1999
All 8 reports naming transmission

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 30, 2005

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 · filed Jan 27, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 27, 2000

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

NHTSA ID 819150 · filed Nov 18, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 21, 2005

VEHICLE'S PAINT IS FADING.

NHTSA ID 532515 · filed Mar 10, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID 523358 · filed Jan 30, 1998

PROBLEMS WITH HEATER/A/C FAN.

NHTSA ID 483004 · filed Aug 15, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 16, 2001

SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY DID NOT RETRACT UPON COLLISION. DRIVER HIT STEERING AND PASSENGER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. *AK THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN SEAT COMPLETELY DURING THE COLLISION. *YH

NHTSA ID 816597 · filed Sep 23, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT END PROBLEMS, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *SKD

NHTSA ID 482649 · filed Mar 28, 1995

UNKNOWN VIBRATION ESTIMATED SPEED 40-50 MPH. FRONT STARTS TO SHIMMY WITH RPM DROPPING TO A STALL. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. VEHICLE IN SHOP (30) TIMES.

NHTSA ID 958921 · filed Jan 20, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 14, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

JACK IN CAR FAILED, IT STRIPPED OUT. TT

NHTSA ID 962573 · filed Mar 27, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 605574 · filed Oct 22, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .