Model year record

1996 Nissan Sentra

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 177 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V063000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
14,800
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-02
Owners notified
2000-04-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CORROSION RESISTANCE IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF DE-ICING SALTS ARE APPLIED TO ROADS IN THE WINTER.

Safety risk

IF A BROKEN SPRING COMES OUT OF THE LOWER SEAT, IT COULD CONTACT AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V093000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
512,387
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-05
Owners notified
1998-08-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V008000

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Component
Exterior lighting: tail lights
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
65,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-01-21
Owners notified
1998-02-28

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal32
Air bags182,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7
Unknown or other6
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages670,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module4
Electrical system470,000 mi
Tires456,233 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer494,050 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Exterior lighting: tail lights330,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Child seat2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator270,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system230,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2
Interior lighting2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Structure: body: door2
Suspension2
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Wheels: hub2
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Steering12,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: bead1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility163,000 mi
Visibility/wiper12,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1196,000 mi

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

SQ99018CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS

Suspension

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.