Model year record

1996 Nissan Sentra

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

Nissan Sentra, 1995–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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

Other Nissan Sentra model years

All Nissan Sentra recalls by year

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.