MYRModel Year Report

1990 Nissan Sentra

▲ Better than typical
1990 Nissan Sentra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:20.123Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
39
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 197 complaints 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2010: 144 complaints 2011: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 352 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 207 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 19 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2003 2004: 197 complaints 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2009 2010: 144 complaints 2011: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 352 complaints 2015 2016: 269 complaints 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 207 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 19 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1992 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 1995: 118 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 236 complaints 2002: 318 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 197 complaints 2004 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2008 2009: 55 complaints 2010: 144 complaints 2010 2011: 142 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2014 2015: 352 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2016 2017: 231 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 207 complaints 2020 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 19 complaints 2026

1990: 39 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19831
19843
19856
19866
198738
198838
198942
199039
199164
199264
199358
1994103
1995118
1996141
1997108
199858
199959
2000171
2001236
2002318
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011142
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015352
2016269
2017231
2018184
2019223
2020207
2021132
202281
202320
202441
202531
202619

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

41% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and webbing.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Driver seat belt faild in an accident, resulting in an injury. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-21

Both front seat belts are frayed around the retractor.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-10

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Power train

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated vehicle had a faulty transmission, vehicle leaked oil and transmission fluid. Consumer contacted the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-30

While vehicle was parked or while driving it was leaking transmission fluid. This caused the transmission to shift hard and rough.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-22

Suspension

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and rear compartment/trunk.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical short, causing a under the hood fire, vehicle was parked and left idle position, horn continue to blow.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-17

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1991-03-15Seat belts91V022000 Improper belt guide performance can cause fraying of the shoulder safety belts near the retractor.

    Remedy: Modify the safety belt guides to prevent fraying; and or replace retractor assembly if fraying is present.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1995-03-10Engineering analysisClosed 1995-08-02 Takata seat belt buckle failure
  3. R
    1995-09-29Seat belts95V103002 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V022000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95V103002 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Nissan Sentra is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Nissan Sentra have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.