1997 Nissan SENTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
105,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 68 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Air Bags: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2
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 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 44 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 14; 2001: 11; 2002: 7; 2003: 10; 2004: 11; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10013556 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
CONTINUAL BRAKE FAILURE, DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION, DEFOGGER, VISIBILITY WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ENGINE RELATED ISSUES, TIRES, GAS TANK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064095 · 2004-03-29 (March 29, 2004)
1997 NISSAN SENTRA HAS HAD (4) FOUR RUN-AWAY CRUISE CONTROL INCIDENTS. CRUISE REFUSES TO DISENGAGE WHILE ACCELERATING SPEED TO 90-100+MPH. ONCE THE GOVERNNOR SHUT THE CAR DOWN, EACH OTHER TIME THE TEENAGE DRIVER HAS MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR BY EITHER, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, SHUTTING THE CAR OFF OR USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND REGULAR BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. EACH TIME THE INCIDENT HAS REQUIRED A DIFFERENT METHOD TO STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS. HOWVER, NISSAN SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM YET…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023982 · 2003-06-29 (June 29, 2003)
THE WIRING UNDER THE WINDOW CONTROLS IN THE DRIVER DOOR STARTED TO SMOLDER AND BURST INTO FLAMES WITHIN SECONDS. PART OF THE PLASTIC DOOR PANEL MELTED. IT TOOK TWO WATERING CANS OF WATER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT I SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WAS FILED TODAY. IT MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE TO CHECK INTO THIS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037957 · 2003-08-29 (August 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073166 · 2004-05-26 (May 26, 2004)
(1) IT WAS A LIGHT RAIN. THE WIPER IS IN THE LOWEST SETTING. BOTH WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I CAN HEAR THE WIPER MOTOR RUNNING BUT THE WIPERS DOESN'T OPERATE. (2) AS IT WAS NO RAINING HARD, I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE SAFELY HOME. I FOUND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES FOR 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. (3) CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE BUT I AM TOLD THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLIED TO MY VIN NUMBER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE WIPER TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487409 · 2012-12-05 (December 5, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ UPDATED 02/06/13
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10371073 · 2010-12-17 (December 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, THE HUB AND THE STEERING. THE SALES DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,568.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764542 · 2002-07-22 (July 22, 2002)
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN SHE MOVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHING INTO A FENCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE AND HER PASSENGERS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. LOCK ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS SUSPECT, IN MY OPINION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764542 at NHTSA ↗