1991 Nissan SENTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 39 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 7; Seat Belts: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Child Seat: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 8; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10116060 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY DIFFERENT WHENEVER I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TIME TO RECEIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. UNTIL 3/27/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OUT TO AN EXIT WHEN I WAS REALIZING A QUIET GRIND AT THE END OF STOPPING PROCESS . NOW 3/29/04 THE ROTOR IS COMPLETELY …
Owner-reported narrative. 202,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486276 · 1995-05-22 (May 22, 1995)
FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES PERFORM SLUGGISHLY DURING PANIC STOPPING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958921 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
UNKNOWN VIBRATION ESTIMATED SPEED 40-50 MPH. FRONT STARTS TO SHIMMY WITH RPM DROPPING TO A STALL. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. VEHICLE IN SHOP (30) TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984024 · 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)
STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE STALLED, RESTARTED IT, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, TRIED STARTING AGAIN, NOTICED ODOR, SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM VEHICLE, *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165061 · 2006-08-09 (August 9, 2006)
A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE IN MY 1991 SENTRA. QUICK ACTION I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE CAR FROM AN ENTIRE LOSS WHICH CLEARLY POINTS TO WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TO EVEN LOOK AT UNLESS THEY CHARGED ME 89 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY COULD ANSWER ME WHEN ASKED WHAT VALUE THAT WOULD ADD SINCE I HAVE ALL THE WIRES SEPARATED AND SAFELY TAPED FROM SHORTING FURTHER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 286,320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859209 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING WIRING WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSED A QUARTER OF FUEL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE PISTON AND ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE GASKETS TO BLOW. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482649 · 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
FRONT END PROBLEMS, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984061 · 1996-07-03 (July 3, 1996)
UPON IMPACT DURING FRONTAL CRASH, AT APPROX. 35MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, SHOULDER/LAP BELT FAILED TO RETRACT, HIT STEERING COLUMN/WINDSHIELD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166980 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK. THE CLUTCH APPEARED LOOSE AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS FAULTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974377 · 1995-11-02 (November 2, 1995)
THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES PURCHASE CAR NEW . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974377 at NHTSA ↗