1988 Nissan SentraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1988 Nissan Sentra, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years71% below the Sentra median · #35 of 38 years by complaints

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints3714 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem15Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 6, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Nissan Sentra has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

15Seat belts6 crash/fire/injury

10Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury

2Fuel system, other

2Power train

2Seats

2Electrical system

2Fuel system, gasoline

1Steering

1Suspension

11 other systems

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Seat belts	15	6
Engine and engine cooling	10	3
Fuel system, other	2	0
Power train	2	1
Seats	2	0
Electrical system	2	1
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0
Steering	1	0
Suspension	1	0
1 other systems	1	1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 Nissan Sentra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 2,730,462 vehicles

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Sentra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sentra median. How we score

1 1 3 6 6 36 37 41 39 63 62 58 99 11714110858 59 17123630418019717011615416755 14414218063838135227023118522420813381 20 41 34 20

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Nissan Sentra, and the recalls they led to.

Mar 10, 1995
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95007 · closed Aug 2, 1995
Led to recall 95V-103

In owners' words

What Sentra owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

A PORTION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE OFF AND FELL INTO MECHANISM, JAMMING IT UP SO IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *AK
Complaint 962734 · Mar 29, 1995

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND THEN BROKE IN HALF AT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT CONNECTION, CAUSING INJURIES TO HEAD, NECK AND BODY. *AK
Complaint 812650 · Jun 2, 1997

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UNTIL AFTER CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL. *AK
Complaint 809222 · Feb 21, 1997

Own a 1988 Sentra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.