1987 NISSAN SENTRA

1 recalls, 46 complaints - 5 TSBs

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SUR... Read more

2,730,462 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

46 total complaints 2 crashes 4 fires 3 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM	2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT	1

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.

Incident date: May 1, 1995

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.

Incident date: May 1, 1995

Incident date: Jun 21, 1993

REPLACE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY

Incident date: Dec 10, 1997

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. *AK

Incident date: Dec 10, 1997

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. *AK

Incident date: Feb 27, 1997

RELEASE BUTTON NEED TO BE REPLACE UNDER RECALL, DEALER SAID THAT THE ORANGE BUCKLE WERE NOT INCLUDED, SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL.

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, RESULTING IN STALLING/RACING OF ENGINE.

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. *AK

Fire

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. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 6, 1997

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SOMETIMES WILL START AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE INOPERATIVE.

Incident date: Apr 27, 1997

BOLT THAT HOLDS TRANSMISSION AND GEAR BOX TO STAY TOGETHER BROKE, CAUSING THEM TO SEPERATE AND DROP TO GROUND. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

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 IN... Read more

Incident date: Nov 21, 1996

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. *AK

SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.

UPON FRONTAL IMPACT OF A HERD OF DEER, NON-MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN, ALLOWING DRIVER TO MAKE CONTACT W/STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Crash 1 injured

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. *AK

BADLY WORN MOUNTING BRACKETS CAUSES VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

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. *AK

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. *AK

DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED UPON IMPACT, ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE.

Incident date: May 30, 1996

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 21, 1992

CARBURETOR MIXTURE HEATER SOLENOID FAILED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT IN EXHAUST.

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO OWNERS REFUSAL TO LEAVE VEHICLE. *DH

Incident date: Mar 12, 1989

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING PASSENGER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE/DEATH. *SD

1 deaths

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

THE DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE KEEPS BREAKING AND CAUSES DRIVER NOT TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR*AK EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE BREAKS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEFECTIVE/FAULTY PIECE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND SHOULD BE MADE OF METAL, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND READILY STOCKS THE HANDLE AT ... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1990

CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE FAILED. *DSH

Incident date: Jan 31, 1996

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. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 31, 1996

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. *AK

Fire

THE GAS GAUGE WHEN FILL UP THE TANK THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY . TT CONSUMER STATES TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS READS COLD. *SLC

AFTER STARTING THE CAR PUT INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE CAR ACCELERATE PURCHASE CAR NEW HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE . TT

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHEN LOCK IT HARD TO UNLOCK . TT

Incident date: Mar 12, 1995

THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAIL TO LATCH #TK521. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Apr 5, 1995

RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER/LAP SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED WHILE IN USE; RETRAINT SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. TT

Incident date: Mar 29, 1995

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, REPLACED TWICE. TT

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

ONCE LATCHED DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNLATCH EASILY. TT

Incident date: Feb 1, 1994

VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUKCLE BROKE AND IS INOPERATIVE.CODE TK521(PE94-083). TT

Incident date: Dec 11, 1994

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

DRIVERS SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Feb 3, 1995

RAN UP ON GRAVEL, LOST CONTROL, HIT TELEPHONE WIRE, SHOULDER/LAP BELT FAIL TO RETRACT UPON IMPACT 35-40MPH, RESULTING IN HEAD GOING THROUGH WINDSHIELD. TT

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 21, 1994

LOST CONTROL FACING TRAFFIC DRIVE AXLE CAME APART. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1987 NISSAN SENTRA

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	27.0	24.0	Regular	$2,550
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	32.0	27.0	Regular	$2,300

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1987 NISSAN SENTRA

5 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY	1
111100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES	1
199000 TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS	1
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	1

199000 TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MOD

111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

111100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NHTSA Safety Investigations, NISSAN SENTRA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP, Closed , Model Year: 2007

Scope of Recalls 08V311 and 09V431

Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA uti... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2013

Excessive Brake Pedal Travel

On May 20, 2014, ODI opened PE14-014 based on eight complaints alleging incidents of excessive brake pedal travel in model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Nissan Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Note passenger cars (Figure 1) and information in Early Warning Reporting field reports indicating issues with m... aster cylinder internal seals.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Nissan identified a condition with the master cylinder in early production subject vehicles that could result in a slow internal leak past one of the recuperating seals to the brake reservoir when the brake pedal is depressed very slowly or lightly (Figure 2).The subject vehicles are equipped with fixed seal master cylinders supplied by TRW.To address concerns with water hammer noise with the standard seal design, the master cylinders in the early production subject vehicles used AWH (anti-water hammer) seals.The AWH seals are sensitive to contamination from assembly plant cleanliness issues, which can produce the internal leak condition during slow or light brake applies but perform as designed with normal or emergency brake applications.TRW indicated that the risk of contamination interacting with the subject seals is greatest after the evacuation and pressure fill process used to fill the brake system during the manufacturing process (early life issue).TRW developed a new master cylinder seal design (EVO seal) that addresses the noise concern and eliminates the internal leak concern associated with contamination by providing a secondary seal (Figure 3).Nissan implemented the new master cylinder design in vehicle production on September 23, 2013.ODI's analysis shows that the master cylinder warranty claim rate is much higher in vehicles produced before the change (Figure 4).Statistical analysis showed that the condition is an early-life problem with relatively low failure rates projected through 100,000 miles and approximately 58 percent of the failures projected to occur by that mileage have already occurred (Table 1).Warranty claims are highest (78% of claims) in vehicles with less than 10,000 miles (Figure 5) and 50 percent of claims involved vehicles with less than 90 days in service (Figure 6).ODI evaluated 22 crash claims that included allegations of master cylinder failure, sinking brake pedal or pedal to the floor (Table 2).The analysis identified only three crashes in which a brake performance issue related to the master cylinder was duplicated by post-incident inspection, including one with a different problem than the seal leak issue (a broken plunger).The two crash complaints related to a possible master cylinder concern involved 1 vehicle with the AWH seal and 1 with the EVO seal.Both were minor crashes.The remaining crashes do not appear to be related to any issues with the master cylinder or other brake system fault.In the 4 crashes with Event Data Recorderinformation available, the data indicated that the brakes were applied too late to avoid the collisions.These include 2 crashes with less than a half second of braking before impact and 2 in which brake applications lasting 1.0 to 2.5 seconds resulted in high decelerations consistent with fully functioning brake systems, but too late to avoid the collision.Overall, the rates of crashes adjusted for vehicle exposure (total vehicle years in service) do not show any correlation to the high warranty rates associated with the AWH seal leak concern (Table 3 & Figure 7).Given these circumstances, further use of the agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing oRead more

SQ, Open , Model Year: 1994

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.COR... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991

STALLING

There is no summary currently available

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1982

STALLING PROBLEMS

NISSAN SENTRA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the NISSAN SENTRA across all model years (1982, 2026).

149 Total Recalls

8,329 Total Complaints

5 Investigations

851 Reported Crashes

196 Reported Fires

22 Reported Deaths

NISSAN SENTRA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	1	23	View
2025	4	46	View
2024	3	62	View
2023	1	34	View
2022	2	142	View
2021	3	216	View
2020	4	320	View
2019	2	360	View
2018	2	287	View
2017	3	341	View
2016	6	407	View
2015	3	501	View
2014	5	526	View
2013	6	871	View
2012	0	260	View
2011	2	201	View
2010	3	212	View
2009	1	81	View
2008	3	233	View
2007	1	215	View
2006	6	155	View
2005	6	224	View
2004	5	235	View
2003	10	240	View
2002	14	388	View
2001	8	309	View
2000	7	236	View
1999	3	74	View
1998	5	76	View
1997	7	138	View
1996	7	177	View
1995	7	158	View
1994	0	130	View
1993	0	89	View
1992	0	81	View
1991	2	77	View
1990	2	45	View
1989	1	49	View
1988	1	40	View
1987 (current)	1	46
1986	0	9	View
1985	0	6	View
1984	0	4	View
1983	1	1	View
1982	1	1	View

Other NISSAN Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
LEAF	526	1,374	View
ROGUE	457	9,808	View
PATHFINDER	267	10,167	View
VERSA	224	4,473	View
FRONTIER	219	4,441	View
TITAN	208	4,415	View
ALTIMA	183	20,085	View
MAXIMA	173	8,847	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1987 NISSAN SENTRA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1987 NISSAN SENTRA

Technical Service Bulletins, 1987 NISSAN SENTRA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, NISSAN SENTRA

NISSAN SENTRA - All Years Overview

NISSAN SENTRA - Year by Year

Other NISSAN Models