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
1045.5%
Gasoline
313.6%
Engine
313.6%
Anchorage
29.1%
Front
14.5%
Accelerator Pedal
14.5%
Constant Velocity Joint
14.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.5%
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 3Jul 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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 1988 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.
United States — NHTSA
95V103002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Onalaska, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
A FAILURE IN EITHER OF THE TWO RUBBER OR NEOPRENE HOSES IN THE AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WILL ALLOW EXHAUST GASES TO BACKFLOW AND CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE LOWER HOSE BREAKS THE DISTRIBUTER AND WIRING WILL IGNITE. A FAILURE AT THE AIR INTAKE REED SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY IGNITE IT AS IT IS NON- METAL. ADDITIONALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING WORKED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY ON THE CAR EXHAUST WILL BACKFLOW OUT OF THE AIR INJECTION TUBE AND IGNITE THE NON METALLIC PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #706501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN FAILURE DURING ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #508130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Huron, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #538013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arvada, CO1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS AT REST, HIT FROM REAR, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #780432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andrews AFB, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CHECKED OIL AND FILLED UP THE OIL HOLDER, 200 MILE IN THE TRIP A LOUD CLANKING SOUND WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD, LOST POWER, NO RESTART, AFTER OPENING THE HOOD SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, TECHNICIAN REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE SIMPLY BURST FOR LACK OF OIL, NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #540685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #529767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 122,487 milesNorfolk, VA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE EXECUTING A LOW SPEED LEFT HAND TURN, THE LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND EXPENSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS. THE LEFT WHEEL TURNED PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WITH THE FRONT TIRES POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CV JOINT, STRUT AND STEERING RACK WERE ALL DAMAGED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE JUST IN FRONT OF THE BALL JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #10233294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maitland, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1988 NISSAN SENTRA INSURANCE CLAIM FOR REPAIR. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SEATS
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT CALLAPSED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HOLD ON TO STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #880820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sicklervil, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS.
NHTSA complaint #784525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sicklervil, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS.
NHTSA complaint #784525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Graysville, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE IS COSTING TOO MUCH TO FIX. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED, BUT STIL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #722741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Onalaska, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
A FAILURE IN EITHER OF THE TWO RUBBER OR NEOPRENE HOSES IN THE AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WILL ALLOW EXHAUST GASES TO BACKFLOW AND CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE LOWER HOSE BREAKS THE DISTRIBUTER AND WIRING WILL IGNITE. A FAILURE AT THE AIR INTAKE REED SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY IGNITE IT AS IT IS NON- METAL. ADDITIONALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING WORKED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY ON THE CAR EXHAUST WILL BACKFLOW OUT OF THE AIR INJECTION TUBE AND IGNITE THE NON METALLIC PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #706501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN FAILURE DURING ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #508130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #831449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #831449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Huron, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #538013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arvada, CO1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS AT REST, HIT FROM REAR, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #780432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andrews AFB, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CHECKED OIL AND FILLED UP THE OIL HOLDER, 200 MILE IN THE TRIP A LOUD CLANKING SOUND WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD, LOST POWER, NO RESTART, AFTER OPENING THE HOOD SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, TECHNICIAN REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE SIMPLY BURST FOR LACK OF OIL, NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #540685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #529767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Haven, VT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #526880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRANKSHAFT PENETRATED ENGINE, CAUSING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #508949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lenoir City, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #517844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND THEN BROKE IN HALF AT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT CONNECTION, CAUSING INJURIES TO HEAD, NECK AND BODY.
NHTSA complaint #812650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UNTIL AFTER CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #809222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holly Springs, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FUSIBLE LINK SHORTED OUT, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #507458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waynesville, GACrash
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
RIGHT CV JOINT BROKE OFF/WENT INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #508842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #502826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delmar, NYCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH, THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT DID NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE., IT DISCONNECTED UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #802540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartford, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
PURCHASED CAR USED, THERE IS CRACK IN THE ENGINE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #802502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norlina, NC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
VEHICLE'S RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS TO BE REPLACED, BALL JOINTS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #982576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.