1997 Nissan SENTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002183 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS. ALSO STATED THAT SHE IS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OUT BUT HER VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL INDICATES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002183 at NHTSA ↗
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 10013877 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A VERY HARD STOP AND COLLISION WITH A BIKE A MONTH LATER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK NON STOP
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013877 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 10040975 · 2003-09-30 (September 30, 2003)
MY FATHER WAS INVLOVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY CAR A 97 NISSAN SENTRA ON SEPTEMBER 18,2003 HE WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT AS THEY SHOULD THEY EXPLODED THERE ARE HOLES IN THEM WITH BURNT EDGES. MY SONS NOSE AND CHEEK WERE BURNT THANK GOODNESS HE'S OK EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT HE WON'T GET IN A CAR ANYMORE. I'M WRITING TO ASK IF THIS IS A DEFECT WITH MY AIR BAGS. I TRIED CALLING NISSAN DIRECTLY BUT ALWAYS GOT DISCONNECTED. I GUESS THEY ARE JUST TIRED OF HEARING EVERYONE COMPLAINTS. I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO IF AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045102 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
UPPER RADIATOR HOSE LEAKS AT EITHER CONNECTION. TRIED INSTALLING NEW RADIATOR HOSE AND BRAND NEW, HIGH QUALITY HOSE CLAMPS, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. COOLANT THEN DRIPS DOWN DIRECTLY INTO THE ALTERNATOR SHORTING THE ALTERNATOR OUT. SOLUTION: MAKE A COVER FOR ALTERNATOR OUT OF SHEET METAL, AND BOLT IT TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD COVER. IF WATER DRIPS FROM THE ABOVE RADIATOR HOSE, THE COVER WILL PROTECT THE ALTERNATOR BY DIRECTING THE RUNOFF ELSEWHERE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045103 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
POWER WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY FREEZE IN THE DOWN POSITION ON 97 SENTRA GXE MODELS. POWER DOOR LOCK ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK MOST OF THE TIME. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045103 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V110000 · Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 1997-07-22 (July 22, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THREE STYROFOAM PADS LOCATED IN EACH REAR DOOR AS PART OF THE DESIGN FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH," WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING PAD IN EACH REAR DOOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V008000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 1998-01-21 (January 21, 1998)
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO NEW LIGHT BULBS FOR THE STOP/TAIL LAMPS WHICH ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BULBS. A LABEL WITH THE NEW BULB NUMBER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR INSERTION INTO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALERS CAN INSTALL THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V093000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
Reported: 1998-05-05 (May 5, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.
Remedy: TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.
NHTSA campaign record ↗