1997 Nissan Sentra
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
- 108
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
31% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 108 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 38 |
| 1989 | 42 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 64 |
| 1992 | 64 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1994 | 103 |
| 1995 | 118 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 58 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 236 |
| 2002 | 318 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2005 | 170 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 167 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 144 |
| 2011 | 142 |
| 2012 | 180 |
| 2013 | 638 |
| 2014 | 380 |
| 2015 | 352 |
| 2016 | 269 |
| 2017 | 231 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
31% · 34 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-30
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
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-03
When vehicle was involved in a front end collision, where the grill contacted the engine, and neither air bag deployed. Not sure if the vehicle was totalled.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-11-12
Visibility
25% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and windshield wiper/washer.
Service brakes
15% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Electrical system
10% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-29
Vehicle fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-14
Vehicle speed control
8% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
1997-08-01Structure97V110000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing pad in each rear door.
-
R
1998-02-28Exterior lighting98V008000 These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
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…
-
R
1998-08-14Visibility98V093000 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.
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.
-
R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
-
R
2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
-
R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 34 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 27 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V110000 · Structure
- Recall 98V008000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 98V093000 · Visibility
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Nissan Sentra is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Sentra?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Sentra have?
- 7 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.