Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 37 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
37 reports
122,487 miles · Jul 6, 2008
Suspension
WHILE EXECUTING A LOW SPEED LEFT HAND TURN, THE LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND EXPENSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS. THE LEFT WHEEL TURNED PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WITH THE FRONT TIRES POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE.…
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WHILE EXECUTING A LOW SPEED LEFT HAND TURN, THE LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND EXPENSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS. THE LEFT WHEEL TURNED PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WITH THE FRONT TIRES POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CV JOINT, STRUT AND STEERING RACK WERE ALL DAMAGED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE JUST IN FRONT OF THE BALL JOINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233294
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2003
Unknown Or Other
1988 NISSAN SENTRA INSURANCE CLAIM FOR REPAIR. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011629
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Seats
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT CALLAPSED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HOLD ON TO STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880820
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE IS COSTING TOO MUCH TO FIX. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED, BUT STIL NOT WORKING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #722741
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784525
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
A FAILURE IN EITHER OF THE TWO RUBBER OR NEOPRENE HOSES IN THE AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WILL ALLOW EXHAUST GASES TO BACKFLOW AND CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE LOWER HOSE BREAKS THE DISTRIBUTER AND WIRING WILL IGNITE. A FAILURE AT THE AIR INTAKE REED SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY IGNITE IT AS IT IS NON- METAL. ADDITIONALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING WOR…
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A FAILURE IN EITHER OF THE TWO RUBBER OR NEOPRENE HOSES IN THE AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WILL ALLOW EXHAUST GASES TO BACKFLOW AND CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE LOWER HOSE BREAKS THE DISTRIBUTER AND WIRING WILL IGNITE. A FAILURE AT THE AIR INTAKE REED SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY IGNITE IT AS IT IS NON- METAL. ADDITIONALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING WORKED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY ON THE CAR EXHAUST WILL BACKFLOW OUT OF THE AIR INJECTION TUBE AND IGNITE THE NON METALLIC PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
NHTSA ODI #706501
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831449
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1998
Seat BeltsInjury
VEHICLE WAS AT REST, HIT FROM REAR, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #780432
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
CHECKED OIL AND FILLED UP THE OIL HOLDER, 200 MILE IN THE TRIP A LOUD CLANKING SOUND WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD, LOST POWER, NO RESTART, AFTER OPENING THE HOOD SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, TECHNICIAN REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE SIMPLY BURST FOR LACK OF OIL, NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA95007 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
1988 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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