1989 NISSAN SENTRA

1 recalls, 49 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

49 total complaints 6 crashes 1 fires 4 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	18
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN	2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	1

Incident date: Feb 1, 2003

CAR DIES AT STOPS.EASILY STARTS UP AGAIN. OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT DID NOT MAKE A CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS TRAFFIC IS HEAVY. MECHANIC HAS CLEANED AND CHECKED BUT CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. THIS STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.*AK

Incident date: Oct 20, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP,AND MECHANIC INDICATED BUSHINGS HAD WORN OUT EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, WELDS HAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED T FRAME TO CRACK ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. MECHANIC GAVE NO GUARANTEE PRBLEM WILL REMAIN FIXED.*AK

Incident date: Oct 20, 2001

Incident date: Mar 25, 2000

AUTOMOBILE JUMPED FORWARD IN LOWER GEARS. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE JUMPING WAS THE CAUSE. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Apr 16, 1999

WAS GOING 30MPH WHEN ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR. THROTTLE STUCK. HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. STEERED VEHICLE TO PARKING LOT. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. PUSHED INTO PARKING SPACE. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER, BUT WILL BE GOING. *AK*ADJ

Incident date: Sep 9, 1995

SEAT BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RESULTING IN INJURIES WHEN SEAT BELT FAILED DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. (95V103-002).

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 1, 1989

DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE STRUTS REAR TIRES GOT BALD 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE STRUTS. PRESENTLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE MADE A STOP OR WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK IN ORDER TO START BACK UP. DRIVER WAS KILLED IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE VEHICLE STALLED COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Crash 1 deaths

BRAKE SEALS FAILED.

VEHICLE BODY CONTAINS STRESS FRACTURES.

Incident date: Sep 9, 1997

THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

Incident date: Sep 5, 1995

PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL, PASSENAGER SEATBELT FAILED, ALLOWING PASSENAGER TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE SEATBELT.

Crash

Incident date: Sep 9, 1995

SEAT BELT FAILED.

SEAT BELT FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

Incident date: Oct 30, 1996

SEAT BELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT.

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 14, 1996

DURING REAR IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS ONTO THE REAR SEAT.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

DEFROSTER SYSTEM INADEQUATE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

MUFFLER RUSTED.

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

TIRE BLEW OUT WHEN CROSSING POTHOLE.

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

SEAT BELT FAILED RELEASE BUTTON FAILED.

OWNER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE RELEASE BUTTON ON HIS SEAT BELTS , DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT THE DAY AFTER HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, HE NOTES THAT SHOULDER STRAPS DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE AND DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Oct 27, 1996

HORN INOPERATIVE.

Incident date: Oct 27, 1996

SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.

Incident date: Oct 5, 1996

THE FREEZE PLUG CORRODED AND THE WATER RAN OUT OF THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE DRIVNG ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS. *AK IGNITION WIRES AND PARTS WERE ALL MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FREEZE PLU HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

Incident date: Sep 17, 1996

PLASTIC CHAIN ON TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE.*AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 1996

ENGINE HEAD MELTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE FAN SENSOR. *SD

Fire

Incident date: Feb 12, 1996

RECALL REPAIRS ON SEATBELTS REFUSED DUE TO NOT HAVING RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. *DH

Incident date: Mar 7, 1996

SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD

Incident date: May 2, 1996

PLASTIC GUIDE WHICH REGULATES TIMING CHAIN BROKE OFF/JAMMED, CAUSING IT TO JUMP OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *SD

Incident date: Apr 3, 1996

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD

Incident date: May 1, 1996

WHILE DRIVING THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL IMMEDIATELY IN ITS TRACKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 12, 1995

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE DOOR IS LOOSE DUE TO A BROKEN REFIT. *AK

Incident date: Mar 29, 1996

PASSENGER LAP/SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT UNLOCK, COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE SEAT. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

SEAT BELTS; FAILURE ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS, BELTS DO NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

SEAT BELTS; FAILURE ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS, BELTS DO NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 21, 1994

SEAT BELTS; FAILURE ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELTS COMES OUT THE BUCKLE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 21, 1994

SEAT BELTS; FAILURE ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELTS COMES OUT THE BUCKLE. *AK

# 95V103002 THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS NOT WORKING . TT

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

SECONDARY ENGINE FAN MELTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT WHEN A/C IS BEING USED. *AK

Incident date: Aug 2, 1995

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY SOMETHING BROKE IN STEERING COLUMN CAUSING HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, HITTING 5 CARS-CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. TT CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB

Crash 1 injured

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BROKEN DEALER REPAIR PROBLEM . TT

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE . TT

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY FASTENING BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS. TT

Incident date: May 2, 1995

DOOR HINGE PINS BROKE, PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. TT

Incident date: Mar 14, 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. TT

Incident date: Jun 10, 1993

FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SEATBELT DID PROPERLY FASTEN, REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Oct 16, 1994

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE LOCKED IN PLACE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE BELT TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. TT

Incident date: Feb 10, 1994

PLASTIC PART INSIDE BUCKLE CAUSING BUCKLE NOT TO HOLD. TT

Incident date: Jan 30, 1995

DRIVERS SIDE RED RELEASE BUTTON CHIPS, CAUSING PIECES TO FALL INSIDE LATCH HOLDER PREVENTING FASTNER OR LATCH TO STAY LATCHED WHEN DRIVING. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 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	25.0	Regular	$2,450
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)	24.0	33.0	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, 1989 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 (current)	1	49
1988	1	40	View
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

1989 NISSAN SENTRA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 NISSAN SENTRA

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 NISSAN SENTRA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, NISSAN SENTRA

NISSAN SENTRA - All Years Overview

NISSAN SENTRA - Year by Year

Other NISSAN Models