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 39 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
39 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY, 35-40 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SEAT BELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE LAP BELT TO BREAK IN HALF. BUT DRIVER'S LAP BELT WAS STILL BUCKLED. SHOULDER BELT GOT CAUGHT AROUND THE NECK, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO CUT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S NECK, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS I…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY, 35-40 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SEAT BELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE LAP BELT TO BREAK IN HALF. BUT DRIVER'S LAP BELT WAS STILL BUCKLED. SHOULDER BELT GOT CAUGHT AROUND THE NECK, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO CUT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S NECK, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853024
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA ODI #712581
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Suspension
BOTH AXELS CRACKED,REPLACED: DEALER "SOMETIMES THEY WEAR OUT."
NHTSA ODI #711898
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
RADIATOR CLOGGED,TEMP GAUGE DID NOT READ HOT,ENGINE MELTED,REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #711897
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING CHAIN COVER CRACKED, AND OIL LEAKED ONTO RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707258
Mileage unknown · May 17, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNHOOKS THE BELT BY ITSELF.
NHTSA ODI #535860
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OWNER SMELLED GAS FUMES.OWNER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #818928
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL LEAKS FROM FAILED CRANKSHAFT SEAL ONTO PULLEY/DRIVE BELT AND OTHER PARTS OF ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO A DANGER OF FIRE. IN ADDITION, ENGINE COULD SEIZE, STRANDING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #520302
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TIMING SYSTEM THE CHAIN GUARD FAILED, PLASTIC ENDED UP IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LIFTERS.
NHTSA ODI #519066
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1997
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSED WORK ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
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.
IMPROPER BELT GUIDE PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELTS NEAR THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING CAN CAUSEIMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE BELT, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO INADEQUATE PROTECTION OFSEAT OCCUPANT DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, AND COULD RESULT IN INCREASEDRISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: MODIFY THE SAFETY BELT GUIDES TO PREVENT FRAYING; AND OR REPLACE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IF FRAYING IS PRESENT.
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
1990 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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