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: 24 of 108 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.
Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports1 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
108 reports
226,858 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control
HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6 X E FOUR-DOOR SEDAN. THIS MORNING STARTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON AND BEGIN TO BLANK AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZE THAT NO ONE HAD MADE ANY CONTACT WITH MY VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE IS AT 227XXX MILES BUT I WOULD NEVER EXPECT FOR…
Read full complaint
HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6 X E FOUR-DOOR SEDAN. THIS MORNING STARTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON AND BEGIN TO BLANK AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZE THAT NO ONE HAD MADE ANY CONTACT WITH MY VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE IS AT 227XXX MILES BUT I WOULD NEVER EXPECT FOR A SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM TO EXPIRE OR MALFUNCTION I REALLY HOPE THAT NISSAN TAKES THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA ODI #11058603
115,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10855131
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE RPM ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. LATER WHILE PARKING, WITH CAR IN PARK, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568204
130,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Engine
BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN WHILE IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED BY ITSELF. LATER WHILE PARKING THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED AND STAYED AT A HIGH RPM BY ITSELF WHILE IN PARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568197
109,999 miles · Jul 4, 2013
Unknown Or Other
CAR STOLEN FROM PARKING LOT
NHTSA ODI #10523145
153,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ UPDATED 02/06/13
NHTSA ODI #10487409
147,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Visibility
I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA AND ON A RAINY DAY MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE WIPER TRANSMISSION MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE ITS WORKING BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED IT IS A FAULTY WIPER ARM. I FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL 98V093000 AND CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA AND ON A RAINY DAY MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE WIPER TRANSMISSION MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE ITS WORKING BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED IT IS A FAULTY WIPER ARM. I FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL 98V093000 AND CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE ISSUE AND THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419975
90,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V093000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: LINKAGES) FOR THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED. THE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V093000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: LINKAGES) FOR THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402692
100,000 miles · Dec 17, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, THE HUB AND THE STEERING. THE SALES DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,568.
NHTSA ODI #10371073
122,385 miles · Jul 3, 2009
Visibility
VEHICLE ENGINE WAS IDLING CAR WAS IN PARK. TURNED ON WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH I HEARD A LOUD KNOCK IN THE DASH CONSOLE AND COULD HEAR A MECHANISM SOUND AS IF WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE MOVING BUT THE WIPERS THEMSELVES DID NOT MOVE SO THE RESULT OF THIS IS NO VISIBILITY WITHOUT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING ON RAINY DAYS. UNABLE TO DRIVE …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE ENGINE WAS IDLING CAR WAS IN PARK. TURNED ON WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH I HEARD A LOUD KNOCK IN THE DASH CONSOLE AND COULD HEAR A MECHANISM SOUND AS IF WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE MOVING BUT THE WIPERS THEMSELVES DID NOT MOVE SO THE RESULT OF THIS IS NO VISIBILITY WITHOUT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING ON RAINY DAYS. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.
Remedy: TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO NEW LIGHT BULBS FOR THE STOP/TAIL LAMPS WHICH ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BULBS. A LABEL WITH THE NEW BULB NUMBER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR INSERTION INTO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALERS CAN INSTALL THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THEM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THREE STYROFOAM PADS LOCATED IN EACH REAR DOOR AS PART OF THE DESIGN FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH," WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING PAD IN EACH REAR DOOR.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration