1994 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 1994 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 belts2722.9%
- Brakes1512.7%
- Engine1210.2%
- Visibility108.5%
- Electrical97.6%
- Airbags75.9%
- Tires & wheels65.1%
- Driver assistance65.1%
- Interior & seats54.2%
- Steering54.2%
- Transmission43.4%
- Exterior lighting32.5%
- Body & structure21.7%
- Fuel system21.7%
- Heating & air conditioning21.7%
- Suspension10.8%
- Powertrain (other)10.8%
- Other / unspecified10.8%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM JAMMED AND THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT MECHANISM AND POSSIBLY THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
1) CLOSED CAR DOOR. 2) SHOULDER SEAT BELT CABLE FROM RETRACTOR PULLEY SNAPPED. UPPER BELT CLASP STUCK. 3) REMOVED CABLE. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.*AK
THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES WHEN BEING APPLIED. ALSO, CONSUMER NEEDS TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AKL *TT
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: A REGISTERED IMPORTER WAS MAKING A DOT AND EPA CONVERSION ON NISSAN SKYLINE VEHICLE SO IT WAS US LEGAL, AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO TAKE 3-4 MONTHS. HAD VEHICLE AND MONEY FOR TWO YEARS ANDCONSUMER STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP. *YH
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP. *YH
THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES, THE REGULATOR CABLE GETS TWISTED, THE DEALER STATES IT WILL COST $300.OO TO REPAIR EACH WINDOW.*YD
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALTERNATOR PLACED TWICE, NO DASH BOARD LIGHTS, NO RADIO, POWER LOCKS DO NOT WORK, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED. *TR
1994 NISSAN SENTRA SE WITH 1.6L ENGINE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ALTERNATORS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOPS. ALTERNATORS LAST FROM 3 MONTHS - 2 YEARS BEFORE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH ALTHOUGH THE DASH BULBS ARE GOOD, VEHICLE SIMPLY RUNS ON BATTERY UNTIL IT DIES. *NM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL THE SAVAGE YARD HAS PUT IT OVER THE AIR TO LOCATE AIR BAG AND NOTHING WAS RETURNED.. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE AIR BAG OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. ALSO THE DEALER NO LONGER CARRIES THE PART DO TO THE MAKE AND YEAR OF THE CAR.
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.*AK
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
Replcement nota installed into the housing into the tire hud system mechenismo. These are not tires are not the correcto sizes ay 13" size rims by Nissan. 1996 Nissan Skyline. Also, need a hydrolic swith systematic mechenismo is not intalled into housing of the brakes with mames the tires work harder into shipping at 2000 feet... Nissan rims shoud be 16" rim(s) by Nissan Skyline 96. 44624 serria hey Lancaster ca 93534 6617294155
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE ON HER VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER MONARCH MODEL 17570R13. ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, A TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *PH
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
BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK *ML
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *YC
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
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS, WOULD NOT WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE IS WORSE THAN OTHER SIDE. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE CAN'T UNLOCK DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *SLC
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MUST OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD BEEN REPAIRED BUT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STILL CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE. *YH
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
POWER STEERIMG PUMP HAS A LEAK AND IT MAKES STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. *AK *SLC
THE SEATBELTS GETS STUCK AND THE WIRING POPPS OUT WHICH CAUSE GREASE TO GO ALL OVER THE CAR AND MYSELF. I AM ONLY USING LAP BELT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THIS. IT IS CAUSING HUGE INCONVENIENCE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *TT
I HAD TO REPLACE A SMALL PLASTIC GOVERNOR GEAR ON MY TRANSMISSION, WOULD ONLY GO TO DRIVE, NO OTHER GEAR, COST APPROX $400.00. THAT WAS 33,000 MILES AGO, NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GETTING OUT OF PARK IN COLDER TEMPERATURES, & WHEN I PUT THE BRAKE ON TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK, YOU CAN HEAR & FEEL IT CLICK IN THE SHIFTER. I HAVE TO WIGGLE IT AND MESS AROUND WITH IT SOMETIMES 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT COMES OUT OF PARK. AFTER IT WARMS UP IT WILL COME OUT OF PARK NORMAL. I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, & THE MAN THERE SAID THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS, HE OWNED THE EXACT SAME CAR A FEW YEARS AGO & HIS DID THE SAME THING, BUT HE COULDN'T FIX IT. SO I AM LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE HE (A MECHANIC) KNEW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF CAR I HAD WHEN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE BEFORE I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. *AK
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
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN,TURN SIGNAL HANDLE FELL OFF ONTO HAND, CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL TO STAY ON UNITL CONSUMER PUT A SCREW DRIVER INTO THE HANDLE SWITCH TO TURN IT OFF. BECAUSE OF THIS TURN SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE SAME HANDLE,WERE INOPERATIVE.DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HANDLE ASSEMBLY. *AK
SQUEALING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL.
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
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRUNK HOOD TRUNK LEVER IS TOO LOW. CONSUMER HAS BUMPED HEAD ON IT NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR KEEPS TRYING TO COME OPEN TO POINT WHERE LOCK BREAKS; DOOR STICKS OUT ABOUT 1/2 INCH. TT
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
THE # 2 FUEL INJECTOR FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERE ROUGH IDLE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE DESIGN. *NLM
FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS LOCK UP. TT
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
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS MIST ONTO OCCUPANTS.
AIR CONDITION DRYER BURST, INJURING DRIVER DUE TO CHEMICAL INHALATION. *DH
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
VEHICLE MISALIGNED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *SKD
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
FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS LOCK UP. TT
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SQUEALING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL.
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 .