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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 36 |
| 1988 | 37 |
| 1989 | 41 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 63 |
| 1992 | 62 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1994 | 99 |
| 1995 | 117 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 58 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 235 |
| 2002 | 304 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2005 | 170 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 167 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 144 |
| 2011 | 141 |
| 2012 | 180 |
| 2013 | 638 |
| 2014 | 380 |
| 2015 | 347 |
| 2016 | 266 |
| 2017 | 228 |
| 2018 | 183 |
| 2019 | 219 |
| 2020 | 203 |
| 2021 | 127 |
| 2022 | 80 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
19% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20030930
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19971112
CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WAS REAR ENDED, PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19971016
10% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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, 20030403
HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6 X E FOUR-DOOR SEDAN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180104
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: visibility — 7 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
HAVE A 1997 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6 X E FOUR-DOOR SEDAN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180104
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 INST
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING PAD IN EACH REAR DOOR.
Campaign 97V110000 — check if this car was fixed
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 OWNE
Campaign 98V008000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 98V093000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V110000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V008000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V093000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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:frontal, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Sentra have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.