1988 Nissan SENTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
122,487 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 23 complaints (43.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
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 | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Other: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 22 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 | 13 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 5; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011629 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
1988 NISSAN SENTRA INSURANCE CLAIM FOR REPAIR. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233294 · 2008-07-06 (July 6, 2008)
WHILE EXECUTING A LOW SPEED LEFT HAND TURN, THE LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND EXPENSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS. THE LEFT WHEEL TURNED PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WITH THE FRONT TIRES POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CV JOINT, STRUT AND STEERING RACK WERE ALL DAMAGED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE JUST IN FRONT OF THE BALL JOINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 122,487 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502179 · 1996-02-27 (February 27, 1996)
TEMPERATURE GUAGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502826 · 1996-03-29 (March 29, 1996)
FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722741 · 2000-05-16 (May 16, 2000)
ENGINE IS COSTING TOO MUCH TO FIX. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED, BUT STIL NOT WORKING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784525 · 2000-02-22 (February 22, 2000)
FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONCE A MONTH, THEN FAILS. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802502 · 1996-09-17 (September 17, 1996)
PURCHASED CAR USED, THERE IS CRACK IN THE ENGINE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802540 · 1996-09-17 (September 17, 1996)
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH, THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT DID NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE., IT DISCONNECTED UPON IMPACT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802540 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V103002 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
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 SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗