1991 Nissan Sentra

▲ Better than typical
1991 Nissan Sentra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:46:07.051Z

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.

Complaints
64
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

30% 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 1991: 64 complaints 1991 64 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 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1991 64 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 1991: 64 complaints 1991 64 1992: 64 complaints 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

1991: 64 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

30% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was involved in frontal collision, front seat belts did not restrain. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-09

Fuel system, gasoline

19% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and fuel pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel pump recall repairs refused.

NHTSA ODI report, 1993-08-27

Service brakes

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Power train

13% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Electrical system

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-08-09

Stopped at traffic light, vehicle stalled, restarted it, vehicle stalled again, tried starting again, noticed odor, smoke and flames coming from…

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-03

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · 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.

  2. I
    1993-11-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-03-31 Stalling
  3. I
    1995-03-10Engineering analysisClosed 1995-08-02 Takata seat belt buckle failure
  4. 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…

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V022000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95V103002 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Nissan Sentra is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 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.