1988 NISSAN SENTRA

1 recalls, 40 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

40 total complaints 4 crashes 4 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	2
SEAT BELTS	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	1

Incident date: Jun 24, 2008

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 DIRECTIO... Read more

1988 NISSAN SENTRA INSURANCE CLAIM FOR REPAIR. *TS *JB

WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT CALLAPSED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HOLD ON TO STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Jan 2, 2000

FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS. *ET

Incident date: Jan 2, 2000

FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS. *ET

ENGINE IS COSTING TOO MUCH TO FIX. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED, BUT STIL NOT WORKING.*AK

Incident date: May 9, 1999

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. ADDITIONAL... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Nov 1, 1992

SEAT BELTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN FAILURE DURING ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

1 injured

Incident date: Nov 30, 1997

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Incident date: Nov 30, 1997

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 7, 1998

ENGINE FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Sep 11, 1998

VEHICLE WAS AT REST, HIT FROM REAR, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 4, 1998

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.

Fire

Incident date: Oct 25, 1997

ACCELERATOR STUCK.

1 injured

FUEL LINE LEAKS.

CRANKSHAFT PENETRATED ENGINE, CAUSING FAILURE.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Incident date: Apr 6, 1997

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. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 20, 1995

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UNTIL AFTER CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

FUSIBLE LINK SHORTED OUT, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.

Incident date: Feb 10, 1992

RIGHT CV JOINT BROKE OFF/WENT INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Crash

Incident date: Nov 1, 1992

FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *SD

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 16, 1996

DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH, THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT DID NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE., IT DISCONNECTED UPON IMPACT.*AK

Crash

PURCHASED CAR USED, THERE IS CRACK IN THE ENGINE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

VEHICLE'S RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS TO BE REPLACED, BALL JOINTS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 1993

TEMPERATURE GUAGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1993

FUEL GUAGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *DSH

Incident date: Dec 12, 1995

VEHICLE'S ROCKER ARM SHAFT HAS BROKEN TWICE. TT

Incident date: Aug 27, 1995

EXPERIENCED UNDERHOOD FIRE, NO UNUSUAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. INSURANCE ADJUSTER CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. KT

Fire

Incident date: Apr 12, 1995

THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT AND THE ONE BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT DO NOT LATCH AT ALL. TT

Incident date: May 1, 1995

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKE. TT

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULDN'T LOCK . *AK

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT

Incident date: Apr 21, 1995

RADIATOR DRAIN VALVE BREAKS OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS 0F COOLANT. TT

Incident date: Apr 18, 1995

PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH FOR PROPER RESTRAINT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Jun 15, 1990

TAKATA SEAT BELTS, TK521: PLASTIC ON SEAT BELT CRACKED; PIECES FELL INSIDE; BUCKLE JAMMED. TT

Incident date: Jan 15, 1995

A PORTION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE OFF AND FELL INTO MECHANISM, JAMMING IT UP SO IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1993

TAKATA SEATBELTS FAILURE, REPLACED DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE CHIPPED AND MALFUNCTION. TT

Incident date: Jan 13, 1993

PART IN BUCKLE CRACKED MECHANISM WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT TO CLIMB OUT OF BELT. TT

Incident date: Oct 29, 1993

DRIVER BENCH BACK COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BACK INJURIES. NO ACCIDENT. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 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	26.0	24.0	Regular	$2,550
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	25.0	32.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	25.0	33.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200

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, 1988 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 (current)	1	40
1987	1	46	View
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

1988 NISSAN SENTRA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 NISSAN SENTRA

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 NISSAN SENTRA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, NISSAN SENTRA

NISSAN SENTRA - All Years Overview

NISSAN SENTRA - Year by Year

Other NISSAN Models