1991 Nissan SENTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10107710 · 2005-01-21 (January 21, 2005)
BAD PRODUCT(PRIMER AND PAINT ) FOR THE WHOLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAINTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SOME PARTS"FENDERS,TRUNK HAVE BEEN PAINTED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES)!! THE CAR WAS PAINTED ALL TIMES EXCEPT FOR THIS LAST TIME WHICH WAS OUT OF POCKET FOR $500.00.(HOOD AND BOTTOM OF TRUNK LID WAS DONE. THE INDEPENDENT PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE REASON THE PAINT KEEPS FAILING(CLEAR COAT PEELING PAINT FADING IS THE BASE PRIMER ON A LOT OF THESE CARS ARE BAD FROM FACTORY HE STRIPPED THESE PARTS TO BARE METAL AND STARTED FROM SCRATCH, THE PARTS ARE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107710 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 10445009 · 2012-01-24 (January 24, 2012)
FUEL SYSTEM HOSES MAY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY, LEADING TO LIQUID FUEL (GASOLINE) LEAKAGE, AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445009 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 483004 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483004 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V022000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1991-02-08 (February 8, 1991)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗