MYRModel Year Report

1990 Nissan Sentra

▲ Better than typical
1990 Nissan Sentra
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:34:26.565Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Sentra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 64 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 103 complaints 1994 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: 351 complaints 2016: 269 complaints 2017: 230 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2018 2019: 221 complaints 2020: 204 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 19 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 30 complaints 2026: 15 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
2015351
2016269
2017230
2018184
2019221
2020204
2021131
202281
202319
202438
202530
202615

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SEAT BELTS 41%

41% of complaints: seat belts — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and webbing.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILD IN AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950221

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE FRAYED AROUND THE RETRACTOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030710

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21%

21% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20041230

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ROUGH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041022

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 3 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960717

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19910315 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 91V022000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950310 — EA (closed 19950802)

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19950929 — seat belts

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

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 A

Campaign 95V103002 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V022000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V103002 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 1987 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2014 ■ 2015

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.