1998 Nissan SENTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
102,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 42 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages: 5; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 24 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 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10051449 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)
SINCE PURCHASE, BRAKES HAVE REQUIRED REPEATED REPLACEMENT STARTING AT 4,759 MILES 2 1/2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. 1998-PRESENT IS THE PERIOD OVER WHICH THIS MATTER CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. DATE BELOW IS NOT SPECIFIC AS RANGE CANNOT BE INPUT. THE CONSUMER NOTED THAT NISSAN HAS TAKEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES, THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE FAULTY BRAKE PROBLEM. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094740 · 2004-12-08 (December 8, 2004)
WINDSHIELD LINKAGE WERE DEFECTIVE, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.98V093000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD THE LINK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TC THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND THE LEFT FRONT SEAT DID NOT MOVE PROPERLY ON TRACK. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158130 · 2006-05-23 (May 23, 2006)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED MY 1998 NISSAN SENTRA XE/GXE JANUARY 27, 2005, FROM A USED AUTO CAR DEALER. MAY 18. 2006 DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE OCCURRED THAT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO GO UP IN FLAMES AND CAUSED IT TO BE DESTROYED. THE FIRE STARTED WITH THE HEAD LIGHT AND LEADING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE MOTOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO THE SCENE. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRE WAS THAT IT STARTED FROM THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WHICH HAD A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING AND SET OFF A BOX BEHIND THE LIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE TO MELT THE TRANSMISSIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,513 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170909 · 2006-10-16 (October 16, 2006)
I WAS REAR ENDED BY A MERCURY MINIVAN (ESTIMATED SPEED 30 MPH) AND PUSHED INTO A DODGE MINIVAN. THE FRONT BUMPER GOT CRACKED IN HALF, THE RADIATOR AND BATTERY WERE ALSO DISPLACED. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, THE REAR BUMPER WAS ALMOST TORN OFF AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE PANEL SHOWS DENTS BEYOND THE GAS CAP. I AM BEING TOLD THAT BECAUSE I WAS REAR IMPACTED, AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE WITH A HIGHER BUMPER THAN MY OWN THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. A REAR IMPACT STILL THROWS YOU FORWARD, AND THE NUMBER OF SUVS AND MINI VANS ON THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002333 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED CAUSING LOST OF STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS *DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 770347 · 2002-12-02 (December 2, 2002)
WE PAID NISSAN $88.75 FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO TELL US THAT WE NEED A NEW GAS TANK ($900) DUE TO A CANISTER LEAKING AND CLOGGING THE AIR FILTER INSIDE THE TANK. THEY WANT US TO PAY $900 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK! WE THINK IT MUST BE A DEFECT BECAUSE GAS TANKS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR OR ATLEAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS. WE ARE DRIVING WITH THE SMELL OF GAS UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. PLEASE HELP. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 770347 at NHTSA ↗