Owners have filed 130 complaints
about the 1994 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA between 1995 and 2022.
The largest single group is the seat belts.
Across this model's run it ranks 28 of 34 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Nissan Sentra. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
39.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Anchorage
817.8%
Retractor
715.6%
Foundation Components
715.6%
Frontal
613.3%
Gasoline
511.1%
Engine
48.9%
Master Cylinder
48.9%
Automatic Transmission
48.9%
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 7Sep 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.
1
investigation is
still open.
SQ99018Opened 17 Jun 1999Still openSUSPENSION
CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS
NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA OF 11,100 1994 THROUGH 1996 SENTRA 2 DOOR MODELS IN WHICH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE FRACTURING FROM CORROSION FATIGUE.NISSAN REPORTED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR FROM A LOSS OF THE PROTECTIVE PAINT COATING ON THE SPRINGS AND EXPOSURE TO HEAVY ROAD SALT.CORROSION CAN CAUSE PITS TO FORM ON THE SPRING SURFACE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SPRING.A BROKEN SPRING COULDPUNCTURE THE AFFECTED TIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE CANADIAN RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 99-069, DATED APRIL 28, 1999.THE PURPOSE OF THIS SQ IS TO DETERMIN...
Recalls on the 1994 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 199906911,100 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain 2 door models, corrosion of the front coil springs can result from loss of the protective paint coating and heavy road salt exposure. This corrosion may cause pits to form on the spring surface resulting in possible fatigue failure. If a broken spring comes out of the lower seat, it may contact the tire and cause it to deflate. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Front coil springs will be replaced with ones that have been coated with zinc phosphate.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lancaster, CACrash
TIRES
Replcement nota installed into the housing into the tire hud system mechenismo. These are not tires are not the correcto sizes ay 13" size rims by Nissan. 1996 Nissan Skyline. Also, need a hydrolic swith systematic mechenismo is not intalled into housing of the brakes with mames the tires work harder into shipping at 2000 feet... Nissan rims shoud be 16" rim(s) by Nissan Skyline 96. 44624 serria hey Lancaster ca 93534 6617294155
NHTSA complaint #11485137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 181,000 milesKing George, VACrash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL THE SAVAGE YARD HAS PUT IT OVER THE AIR TO LOCATE AIR BAG AND NOTHING WAS RETURNED.. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE AIR BAG OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. ALSO THE DEALER NO LONGER CARRIES THE PART DO TO THE MAKE AND YEAR OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11041084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTownsend, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10061540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTownsend, MACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10061540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Celersburg, INCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #8001853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Celersburg, INCrash3 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #8001853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lancaster, CACrash
TIRES
Replcement nota installed into the housing into the tire hud system mechenismo. These are not tires are not the correcto sizes ay 13" size rims by Nissan. 1996 Nissan Skyline. Also, need a hydrolic swith systematic mechenismo is not intalled into housing of the brakes with mames the tires work harder into shipping at 2000 feet... Nissan rims shoud be 16" rim(s) by Nissan Skyline 96. 44624 serria hey Lancaster ca 93534 6617294155
NHTSA complaint #11485137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 181,000 milesKing George, VACrash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL THE SAVAGE YARD HAS PUT IT OVER THE AIR TO LOCATE AIR BAG AND NOTHING WAS RETURNED.. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE AIR BAG OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. ALSO THE DEALER NO LONGER CARRIES THE PART DO TO THE MAKE AND YEAR OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11041084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Valley, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALTERNATOR PLACED TWICE, NO DASH BOARD LIGHTS, NO RADIO, POWER LOCKS DO NOT WORK, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10381533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM JAMMED AND THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT MECHANISM AND POSSIBLY THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10238424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1994 NISSAN SENTRA SE WITH 1.6L ENGINE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ALTERNATORS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOPS. ALTERNATORS LAST FROM 3 MONTHS - 2 YEARS BEFORE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH ALTHOUGH THE DASH BULBS ARE GOOD, VEHICLE SIMPLY RUNS ON BATTERY UNTIL IT DIES.
NHTSA complaint #10165001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1) CLOSED CAR DOOR. 2) SHOULDER SEAT BELT CABLE FROM RETRACTOR PULLEY SNAPPED. UPPER BELT CLASP STUCK. 3) REMOVED CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10150745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1) CLOSED CAR DOOR. 2) SHOULDER SEAT BELT CABLE FROM RETRACTOR PULLEY SNAPPED. UPPER BELT CLASP STUCK. 3) REMOVED CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10150745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE OWNED MY CAR SINCE 1994 AND WASHED IT REGULARLY. I NOTICED SINCE 2004 THAT THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE CAR PREMATURELY. OTHER OWNERS OF 1994 SAME MODELS DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPAINTED. WHY DOES MINE NEED TO BE REPAINTED?
NHTSA complaint #10142839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Juan, PR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
DT: A REGISTERED IMPORTER WAS MAKING A DOT AND EPA CONVERSION ON NISSAN SKYLINE VEHICLE SO IT WAS US LEGAL, AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO TAKE 3-4 MONTHS. HAD VEHICLE AND MONEY FOR TWO YEARS ANDCONSUMER STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10131749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesClarksburg, WV
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, STAYS OUT DID NOT REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10068151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTownsend, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10061540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesTownsend, MACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST, LEG, AND NECK INJURIES. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO WORK. POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10061540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowmansville, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE DOOR DID NOT RETRACT AT ALL. WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE SEAT BELT HIT THE DOOR LATCH CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING THE METAL AROUND THE LATCH TO CRACK AND MOVE THE LATCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO BE CLOSED SECURELY RESULTING IN THE OPEN DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DEALER PERFORMED SERVICE BULLETIN NTB01-005. *TT *AK
NHTSA complaint #10046134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
TIRES
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE ON HER VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER MONARCH MODEL 17570R13. ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, A TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.
NHTSA complaint #10032426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE # 2 FUEL INJECTOR FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERE ROUGH IDLE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE DESIGN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
TIRES:SIDEWALL
THE REPLACEMENT TIRE SEPARATED AT THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10015144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE QUITS WITHOUT WARNING - MULTIPLE EVENTS - AFTER RESTART AND BETWEEN EVENTS ENGINE RUNS FINE. RESTART BY CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF AND BACK TO RUN IF CAR IS IN MOTION - OTHERWISE STARTS NORMALLY FOLLOWING EVENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON - COMPUTER CHECKED FOR CODES - NONE FOUND. REPAIR SHOP CHECKED ALL WIRING AND ENGINE INSTALLATION ALONG WITH VARIOUS DATABASES FOR INFO - NO FINDINGS OR FAULTS. RELUCTANT TO TAKE TO DEALER SINCE THERE IS NO RECORDED FAULT AND VERY INTERMITTENT. REVIEW OF NHTSA WEB SITE REVEALED ONE OTHER SIMULAR EVENT - SUCCESS IN FIXING UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #766654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore County, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8007128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore County, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES WHEN BEING APPLIED. ALSO, CONSUMER NEEDS TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AKL
NHTSA complaint #8007129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Celersburg, INCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #8001853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Celersburg, INCrash3 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #8001853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Celersburg, INCrash3 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN ONCE BEFORE, AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT DO PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN A 20-30 MPH ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APARENT REASON, ALSO THE WINDOW SOMTIMES DOES NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #8001853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deptford, NJ
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES, THE REGULATOR CABLE GETS TWISTED, THE DEALER STATES IT WILL COST $300.OO TO REPAIR EACH WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #562169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deptford, NJ
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ALL 4 POWER WINDOWS GO OUT AND MANUALLY HAD TO BE PUSHED UP AND TAPED. CONSUMER HAS HAD NEW AND USED REGULATOR CABLES REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM WAS ONGOING. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT THERE WAS NO COVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #892814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chapel Hill, NC
TIRES
HEARD A LOUND THUN, VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, VEERING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. POSSIBLE DUE TO TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM AT THE INSIDE, LOST ALL AIR PRESSURE, PULLED THE CAR IMMEDIATLEY INTO THE RAIL. VEHICLE TOTALLED
NHTSA complaint #9002065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.