1990 NISSAN SENTRA

2 recalls, 45 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.

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

IMPROPER BELT GUIDE PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELTS NEAR THE RETRACTOR.

Consequence

THE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING CAN CAUSEIMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE BELT, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO INADEQUATE PROTECTION OFSEAT OCCUPANT DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, AND COULD RESULT IN INCREASEDRISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

MODIFY THE SAFETY BELT GUIDES TO PREVENT FRAYING; AND OR REPLACE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IF FRAYING IS PRESENT.

165,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

45 total complaints 8 crashes 3 fires 13 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
TIRES	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	2
SEAT BELTS	2

Incident date: Sep 29, 2004

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Oct 22, 2004

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ROUGH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Incident date: Nov 1, 1995

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE FRAYED AROUND THE RETRACTOR.*AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 1999

MIDDLE SEATBELT ON BACKSEAT WILL NOT BUCKLE UP. TWO REAR OUTSIDE BUCKLES WILL ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

Incident date: May 14, 2001

WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO HOOK DRIVER LAP SEATBELT, THE METAL PIECE GOES IN BUT WILL NOT HOOK. *JB

Incident date: Mar 21, 2001

CAR WENT TO SEARS FOR FOUR NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, MECHANIC REPLACED BALL JOINTS PRIOR TO ALIGNMENT, WHILE ALIGNING REAR LEFT TOE CAM BOLT SNAPPED, SENT 16YR OLD HOME WITH VEHICLE UNTIL PART ARRIVES IN DAY OR TWO.

Incident date: Oct 8, 2000

LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT AND VEHICLE SPUN AND ROLLED OVER, BOTH PASSENGERS BRUISED, VEHICLE TOTALED (KELLY SPRINGFIELD MONARCH T-P RADIAL 175/70R13). NLM

2 injured

Incident date: Oct 8, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE. VEHICLE ROLLED AND SPRUNG FORWARD. *AK TIRE FAILED. *YH

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Oct 8, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE. VEHICLE ROLLED AND SPRUNG FORWARD. *AK TIRE FAILED. *YH

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Oct 26, 2000

I AM CURIOUS IF THIS IS PREVELEANT PROBLEM, AND IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PART. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 12, 2000

SHOULDER BELT WEBBING FAILED. THE WEBBING SEPARATED COMPLETELY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT MR. MARV SPRINKMAN, MOTOR CARRIER SPECIALIST, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL CENTRAL DIVISION MAIT UNIT, (559)277-7250,CASE NUMBER CL-010-00. *AK

Crash 1 injured 1 deaths

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY, 35-40 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SEAT BELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE LAP BELT TO BREAK IN HALF. BUT DRIVER'S LAP BELT WAS STILL BUCKLED. SHOULDER BELT GOT CAUGHT AROUND THE NECK, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO CUT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S NECK, ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 25, 1998

NO SUMMARY.

Incident date: Oct 15, 1996

BOTH AXELS CRACKED,REPLACED: DEALER "SOMETIMES THEY WEAR OUT."

Incident date: Sep 29, 1996

RADIATOR CLOGGED,TEMP GAUGE DID NOT READ HOT,ENGINE MELTED,REPLACED

Fire

TIMING CHAIN COVER CRACKED, AND OIL LEAKED ONTO RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. *AK

SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNHOOKS THE BELT BY ITSELF.

Incident date: May 26, 1996

SEAT BELT RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSED WORK ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OWNER SMELLED GAS FUMES.OWNER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK *SLC

Incident date: Nov 1, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OWNER SMELLED GAS FUMES.OWNER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK *SLC

Incident date: Jun 25, 1997

OIL LEAKS FROM THE DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SEAL ONTO PULLEY/DRIVE BELT AND OTHER PARTS OF ENGINE. THERE IS A DANGER OF FIRE. ALSO, ENGINE COULD SEIZE, STRANDING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *AK

Incident date: Jun 25, 1997

OIL LEAKS FROM FAILED CRANKSHAFT SEAL ONTO PULLEY/DRIVE BELT AND OTHER PARTS OF ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO A DANGER OF FIRE. IN ADDITION, ENGINE COULD SEIZE, STRANDING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *AK

DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TIMING SYSTEM THE CHAIN GUARD FAILED, PLASTIC ENDED UP IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LIFTERS.

SEAT BELTS FRAY.

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

Incident date: Nov 12, 1996

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Incident date: Jul 4, 1996

RECALL RELATED, 91V022, DRIVER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILED, DID NOT RETRACT, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 35MPH. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Oct 12, 1995

DUE TO A BROKEN HINGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR , THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. *AK

CONSUMER HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE NO LONGER OWNES VEHICLE AND THAT SHE WAS DECEIVED BY THE SELLING PRICE OF VEHICLE AND IS TILL PAYING ON VEHICLE THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANYMORE.*JB

Incident date: Jul 18, 1996

ENGINE OVERHEATED/LOST POWER. *AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LEFT IDLE POSITION, HORN CONTINUE TO BLOW. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 21, 1996

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, WHEN DRIVING THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD. *AK

Incident date: Nov 1, 1995

MAIN ENGINE SEAL FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Aug 25, 1994

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Nov 16, 1995

PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING TIMING CHAIN IN PLACE BROKE. TT

Incident date: Mar 22, 1995

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BUTTON CRACKS UPON ENTRY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Apr 1, 1990

IN THE SUMMER TIME THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DON'T WORK THERE IS NO COLD AIR COMING OUT. TT

Incident date: Jan 13, 1992

SEAT BELT FAILURE, REAR ENDED AND SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER. TT

Incident date: Feb 1, 1995

PASSENGER FRONT SEATBELT IS INOPERATIVE, MALE END WON'T INSERT INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT

Incident date: Mar 7, 1995

THE FRONT SEAT BELT DON'T RESTRAIN IN A QUICK STOP SEAT BELT NUMBER IS # 522. TT

Incident date: Feb 21, 1995

DURING REAR IMPACT PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED. REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES IN ARM LEG AND NECK. TT

Crash 3 injured

Incident date: Nov 29, 1994

DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILD IN AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. TT

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 24, 1995

THE LENS POPPED OUT CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS TO BURN OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 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	28.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	25.0	33.0	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 (Subcompact Cars)

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

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 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).

148 Total Recalls

8,277 Total Complaints

5 Investigations

833 Reported Crashes

192 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	13	View
2025	3	41	View
2024	3	53	View
2023	1	33	View
2022	2	141	View
2021	3	209	View
2020	4	319	View
2019	2	359	View
2018	2	286	View
2017	3	339	View
2016	6	400	View
2015	3	498	View
2014	5	526	View
2013	6	871	View
2012	0	260	View
2011	2	199	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	307	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 (current)	2	45
1989	1	49	View
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

1990 NISSAN SENTRA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 NISSAN SENTRA

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 NISSAN SENTRA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, NISSAN SENTRA

NISSAN SENTRA - All Years Overview

NISSAN SENTRA - Year by Year

Other NISSAN Models