Model year record

1997 Nissan Sentra

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 138 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V110000

Structure: body: door

Component
Structure: body: door
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
450
Reported to NHTSA
1997-07-22
Owners notified
1997-08-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING PAD IN EACH REAR DOOR.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal2033,689 mi
Air bags11120,907 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Vehicle speed control7226,858 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages7121,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Visibility: power window devices and controls536,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer5147,000 mi
Tires473,943 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor4112,000 mi
Electrical system384,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3
Suspension3100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly236,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes, hydraulic2120,907 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Unknown or other2109,999 mi
Visibility2147,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine1130,000 mi
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1153,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: rack and pinion144,000 mi
Structure1
Structure: body: bumpers120,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Tires: sidewall1185,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1100,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1122,385 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.