1993 Nissan Sentra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 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
- Transmission1114.9%
- Brakes912.2%
- Electrical810.8%
- Seat belts810.8%
- Airbags79.5%
- Suspension56.8%
- Engine56.8%
- Fuel system45.4%
- Tires & wheels45.4%
- Driver assistance34.1%
- Body & structure34.1%
- Steering22.7%
- Interior & seats22.7%
- Heating & air conditioning11.4%
- Exterior lighting11.4%
- Powertrain (other)11.4%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE SHIFTER MOVED TO NEUTRAL. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AFTER ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT LOCK WHEN IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
MANUAL FIVE SPEED TRANSMISSION; FIFTH GEAR (SHIFTER STICK) CONTINUOUSLY POPS-OUT. FIFTH GEAR INOPERABLE. THIS SITUATION IS ALL TOO COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN CORPORATION SHOULD FINALLY TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS COMMON DEFECT. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SQUEALING BRAKE NOISE DUE TO WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IT HAS IS WHEN I WENT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPRINGS FLEW OUT OF IT. I HAD NEVER USED IT BEFORE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE AXLES, CV JOINTS AND STEERING KIT. EVERYTHING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. ONE LEAD TO THE NEXT. I CAN'T REALIGN MY CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING KIT AND TIE RODS ARE SHOT ALONG WITH MY AXLES AND CV JOINTS. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES TWICE FROM THEM WEARING DOWN. I WOULD FIX IT BUT WHEN I GOT IT ALL PRICED, IT WAS ALMOST $2000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *JB
CONSUMER STATES FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. *JB
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A BUCKLE TO THE SEAT BELT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH
CONSUMER STATES FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. *JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE. WHENEVER HE FILLS UP THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD LEAK FROM THE FILLER TUBE CONNECTION TANK. THE OVERFLOW TUBE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR MADE A SERIES OF FOUR BEEPING SOUNDS AND REMAIN LIT FOR 15 MINUTES WHILE CONTINUING TO BEEP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, INDICATING A DEFECT EXISTS ,AND AIRBAG IS INOPERATIVE. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
RT. FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNTIL I READ, ON THIS WEBSITE, THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS.*AK
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES DURING NORMAL USE. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I WILL BE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR CUTS OFF. SOMETIMES I AM DRIVING UPHILL, SOMETIMES ON STRAIGHT, FLAT ROAD. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED YESTERDAY BECAUSE FOR NOW REASON, AND NO WARNING MY CAR STOPS DEAD IN IT'S TRACKS. ALL THE ENGINE FAIL LIGHTS COME ON, AS IF YOU WERE JUST STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, MEANING IT'S NOT OVERHEATED WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE HAD A FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED. TEMPERATURE SENSORS REPLACED MORE THEN ONCE. ALTERNATOR WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AND NUMEROUS BATTERIES. NOTHING CORRECTS THE PROBLEM.
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE. WHENEVER HE FILLS UP THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD LEAK FROM THE FILLER TUBE CONNECTION TANK. THE OVERFLOW TUBE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR MADE A SERIES OF FOUR BEEPING SOUNDS AND REMAIN LIT FOR 15 MINUTES WHILE CONTINUING TO BEEP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
CONSUMER STATES FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IT HAS IS WHEN I WENT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPRINGS FLEW OUT OF IT. I HAD NEVER USED IT BEFORE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE AXLES, CV JOINTS AND STEERING KIT. EVERYTHING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. ONE LEAD TO THE NEXT. I CAN'T REALIGN MY CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING KIT AND TIE RODS ARE SHOT ALONG WITH MY AXLES AND CV JOINTS. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES TWICE FROM THEM WEARING DOWN. I WOULD FIX IT BUT WHEN I GOT IT ALL PRICED, IT WAS ALMOST $2000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *JB
UNIROYAL TIGER PAW TOURING TR TIRE 185/60/14. THE TIRE IS STARTING TO DEVELOP SPLITS 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW THE TOP OFF THE TIRE ON THE SIDEWALL.THERE ARE SPLITS 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES IN JANUARY 2003. CURRENTLY THERE IS 24,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I BELIEVE IF THE TIRE ISNT REPLACED SOON IT WAS CAUSE A DANGEROUS BLOWOUT. I DONT KNOW HOW LONG THE TIRE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS,I NOTICED WHEN I WAS CHECKING AIR PRESSURE. THIS ISNT A ROAD HAZARD ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE TIRE TO DO THIS. I ALSO BELIEVE THE TREAD WILL SEPERATE FROM THE CASING. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IT HAS IS WHEN I WENT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPRINGS FLEW OUT OF IT. I HAD NEVER USED IT BEFORE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE AXLES, CV JOINTS AND STEERING KIT. EVERYTHING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. ONE LEAD TO THE NEXT. I CAN'T REALIGN MY CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING KIT AND TIE RODS ARE SHOT ALONG WITH MY AXLES AND CV JOINTS. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES TWICE FROM THEM WEARING DOWN. I WOULD FIX IT BUT WHEN I GOT IT ALL PRICED, IT WAS ALMOST $2000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *JB
ON THREE OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE CUP HOLDER IS OCCUPIED; THE CUP WOULD REST AGAINST THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,540.
PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT ,SECOND OWNER ,VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT BY ORIGINAL OWNER, THE CROSSMEMBER DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE RADIATOR IS COMPLETELY RUSTING AWAY, WHICH IS WHERE A MOTOR MOUNT IS ATTACHED .I CONTACTED NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD OF THE HARSH WINTERS AND ROAD CHEMICALS IN PENNSYLVANIA WAS THE REASON.NISSAN'S RESOLUTION WAS SENDING ME A QUESTIONNAIRE TO FILL OUT.ALSO UNUSUAL RUST HOLES AROUND THE DOOR HINGES. THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IS RUST FREE. MY CONCERN IS SOME TYPE OF STRUCTURE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IT HAS IS WHEN I WENT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPRINGS FLEW OUT OF IT. I HAD NEVER USED IT BEFORE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE AXLES, CV JOINTS AND STEERING KIT. EVERYTHING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. ONE LEAD TO THE NEXT. I CAN'T REALIGN MY CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING KIT AND TIE RODS ARE SHOT ALONG WITH MY AXLES AND CV JOINTS. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES TWICE FROM THEM WEARING DOWN. I WOULD FIX IT BUT WHEN I GOT IT ALL PRICED, IT WAS ALMOST $2000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *JB
POPPING IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR TURNING. SOUNDS LOOSE IN COLUMN/ STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, POPS.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOE HOOK CAUGHT ON THE MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTER BAR, INTERFERING WITH DRIVERS BRAKING ABILITIES.
TAIL LIGHT SEALED INADEQUATELY, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAIL LIGHT SEALED INADEQUATELY, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IT HAS IS WHEN I WENT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPRINGS FLEW OUT OF IT. I HAD NEVER USED IT BEFORE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE AXLES, CV JOINTS AND STEERING KIT. EVERYTHING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. ONE LEAD TO THE NEXT. I CAN'T REALIGN MY CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING KIT AND TIE RODS ARE SHOT ALONG WITH MY AXLES AND CV JOINTS. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES TWICE FROM THEM WEARING DOWN. I WOULD FIX IT BUT WHEN I GOT IT ALL PRICED, IT WAS ALMOST $2000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *JB
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .