NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Buckle Assembly
934.6%
Gasoline
415.4%
Latch
311.5%
Anchorage
311.5%
Door
311.5%
Carburetor System
27.7%
Front
13.8%
Cooling Unit AND Lines
13.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 4Sep 1999
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Nissan Sentra
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1987 Nissan Sentra
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995084106,721 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Recall 19871363,807 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS DUE TO AN INOPERATIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT SPRING FOR THE THROTTLE BODY MIXTURE HEATER. CORRECTION: MIXTURE HEATER WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED TYPE. NOTE: 4WD VEHICLES ONLY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Enon, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL TO A SIDE OF FREEWAY, ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, FIRE ERRUPTED; ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #518070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enon, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL TO A SIDE OF FREEWAY, ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, FIRE ERRUPTED; ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #518070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklinton, NCCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
UPON FRONTAL IMPACT OF A HERD OF DEER, NON-MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN, ALLOWING DRIVER TO MAKE CONTACT W/STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #806832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #505073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, 001 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING PASSENGER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE/DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #485285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Rich, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING MADE A LEFT TURN AND SPARKS CAME FROM VEHICLE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW UP. COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #979564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Trumbull, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE SEAT BELT BUTTONS REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, BUT DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND THEY NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. OWNER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WORK THAT SHE MISSED BECAUSE OF WAITING FOR CAR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #513770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE IDLE IS HIGH AFTER STARTING AND REMAINS HIGH AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. IDLE IS ROUGH AT LOW RPM AND HESITANT UNDER A LOAD. CONSUMES MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, ABOUT 80 MILES A TANK LESS RANGE. MOLDING IS FALLING OFF ON BODY.
NHTSA complaint #701357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE IDLE IS HIGH AFTER STARTING AND REMAINS HIGH AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. IDLE IS ROUGH AT LOW RPM AND HESITANT UNDER A LOAD. CONSUMES MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, ABOUT 80 MILES A TANK LESS RANGE. MOLDING IS FALLING OFF ON BODY.
NHTSA complaint #701357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
ENGINE IDLE IS HIGH AFTER STARTING AND REMAINS HIGH AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. IDLE IS ROUGH AT LOW RPM AND HESITANT UNDER A LOAD. CONSUMES MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, ABOUT 80 MILES A TANK LESS RANGE. MOLDING IS FALLING OFF ON BODY.
NHTSA complaint #701357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rhinelander, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
REPLACE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY
NHTSA complaint #511389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopkins, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STALL FOR NO REASON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. HAPPENED 3 YEARS LATER. WAS INFORMED THAT TORQUE CONVERTOR WAS PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #822196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopkins, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STALL FOR NO REASON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. HAPPENED 3 YEARS LATER. WAS INFORMED THAT TORQUE CONVERTOR WAS PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #822196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paramount, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RELEASE BUTTON NEED TO BE REPLACE UNDER RECALL, DEALER SAID THAT THE ORANGE BUCKLE WERE NOT INCLUDED, SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #515646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, RESULTING IN STALLING/RACING OF ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #518541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enon, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL TO A SIDE OF FREEWAY, ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, FIRE ERRUPTED; ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #518070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enon, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL TO A SIDE OF FREEWAY, ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, FIRE ERRUPTED; ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #518070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Foster City, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SOMETIMES WILL START AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #516665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BOLT THAT HOLDS TRANSMISSION AND GEAR BOX TO STAY TOGETHER BROKE, CAUSING THEM TO SEPERATE AND DROP TO GROUND. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #812133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paramount, CA
SEAT BELTS
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE THE RELEASE BUTTON IN BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES REPLACED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE BROKEN. FOUR DAYS AFTER ASSUMED REPAIR, OWNER RECEIVED A CALL SAYING THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL HAD ARRIVED. NOW THAT THE WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED THE DRIVER SIDE BELT IS INOPERATIVE AND DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #515646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN, THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #809913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altadena, CA
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #511840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklinton, NCCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
UPON FRONTAL IMPACT OF A HERD OF DEER, NON-MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN, ALLOWING DRIVER TO MAKE CONTACT W/STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #806832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiteboro, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
AT TIMES THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE DOORS WILL FREEZE UP AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE SHUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #805570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rhinelande, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BADLY WORN MOUNTING BRACKETS CAUSES VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.
NHTSA complaint #511389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilson, NC
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #804650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schuylkill Haven, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF WEIGHT IN THE CAR , THE BRAKES GET REAL HOT AND THE BRAKES TAKE A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP. PLEASE DESCRBIE IN DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #804435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #505073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED UPON IMPACT, ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #505073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
CARBURETOR MIXTURE HEATER SOLENOID FAILED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT IN EXHAUST.
NHTSA complaint #508333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.