Nissan Sentra · model year

1991 Nissan Sentra

77 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
77
Recalls
0

The verdict

The 1991 Nissan Sentra posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 33%
fewest complaints, own model years
0
recall campaigns

The 1991NissanSentra carries 77 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 11 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1991 Sentra is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 7 filings, followed by seat belts (7) and power train:automatic transmission (6). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1991 Sentra, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

77
Complaints
10
Crashes
11
Fires
8
Injuries
1
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1991 Nissan Sentra

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

77 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY7
SEAT BELTS7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD4
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS2

Recent Complaints

20120124FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SYSTEM HOSES MAY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY, LEADING TO LIQUID FUEL (GASOLINE) LEAKAGE, AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20060829POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK. THE CLUTCH APPEARED LOOSE AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS FAULTY.

Mileage: 115,000

20060809FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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. NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TO EVEN LOOK AT UNLESS THEY CHARGED ME 89 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY COULD ANSWER ME WHEN ASKED WHAT VALUE THAT WOULD ADD SINCE I HAVE ALL THE WIRES SEPARATED AND SAFELY TAPED FROM SHORTING FURTHER. *JB

Mileage: 286,320

20050330SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY DIFFERENT WHENEVER I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TIME TO RECEIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. UNTIL 3/27/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OUT TO AN EXIT WHEN I WAS REALIZING A QUIET GRIND AT THE END OF STOPPING PROCESS . NOW 3/29/04 THE ROTOR IS COMPLETELY GRINDED OFF,NO BRAKE PADS, ACCORDING TO THE "MECHANIC" THE CALIPER IS SEIZED SHUT. 2.) POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, SPENT A TOTAL OF $150 DOLLARS, WOULD OF BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 3.) THE MECHANIC SAID,"THE PARTS HAVE NO WARRANTY, THE LABOR WAS NOT A CAUSE OF FAILURE (DENIAL) AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE NEITHER BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, OR CALIPERS.*AK

Mileage: 202,299

20050330SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY DIFFERENT WHENEVER I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TIME TO RECEIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. UNTIL 3/27/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OUT TO AN EXIT WHEN I WAS REALIZING A QUIET GRIND AT THE END OF STOPPING PROCESS . NOW 3/29/04 THE ROTOR IS COMPLETELY GRINDED OFF,NO BRAKE PADS, ACCORDING TO THE "MECHANIC" THE CALIPER IS SEIZED SHUT. 2.) POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, SPENT A TOTAL OF $150 DOLLARS, WOULD OF BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 3.) THE MECHANIC SAID,"THE PARTS HAVE NO WARRANTY, THE LABOR WAS NOT A CAUSE OF FAILURE (DENIAL) AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE NEITHER BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, OR CALIPERS.*AK

Mileage: 202,299

20050330SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY DIFFERENT WHENEVER I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TIME TO RECEIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. UNTIL 3/27/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OUT TO AN EXIT WHEN I WAS REALIZING A QUIET GRIND AT THE END OF STOPPING PROCESS . NOW 3/29/04 THE ROTOR IS COMPLETELY GRINDED OFF,NO BRAKE PADS, ACCORDING TO THE "MECHANIC" THE CALIPER IS SEIZED SHUT. 2.) POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, SPENT A TOTAL OF $150 DOLLARS, WOULD OF BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 3.) THE MECHANIC SAID,"THE PARTS HAVE NO WARRANTY, THE LABOR WAS NOT A CAUSE OF FAILURE (DENIAL) AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE NEITHER BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, OR CALIPERS.*AK

Mileage: 202,299

20050121STRUCTURE:BODY

BAD PRODUCT(PRIMER AND PAINT ) FOR THE WHOLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAINTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SOME PARTS"FENDERS,TRUNK HAVE BEEN PAINTED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES)!! THE CAR WAS PAINTED ALL TIMES EXCEPT FOR THIS LAST TIME WHICH WAS OUT OF POCKET FOR $500.00.(HOOD AND BOTTOM OF TRUNK LID WAS DONE. THE INDEPENDENT PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE REASON THE PAINT KEEPS FAILING(CLEAR COAT PEELING PAINT FADING IS THE BASE PRIMER ON A LOT OF THESE CARS ARE BAD FROM FACTORY HE STRIPPED THESE PARTS TO BARE METAL AND STARTED FROM SCRATCH, THE PARTS ARE OK NOW IM STILL HAVING FADING PROBLEMS AND CLEAR COAT PEELING TO THIS DAY ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR THAT WERE "SUPPOSE TO BE" FIXED.. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE GENTLEMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS JUST TAKING THE TOP COAT OF PAINT OFF AND JUST REASSURING THE NEW PAINT ON TOP OF BAD PRIMER,(WHICH IN TURN WILL JUST COME OFF AGAIN IN TIME) SUNBELT NISSAN BLAMED THE PAINT MAKER(BASF COATING)FOR BAD PRODUCT EVERY TIME AND TRIED TO WASH THEIR

Mileage: 15,000

20020416SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT LOCK UP, LAP BELT WORKS AS IT SHOULD. BOTH SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH

20010530SEATS

CONSUMER STATES AS HE WAS GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HIS LEFT ACHILLES TENDON STRUCK THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT THAT CONTROLS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT FROM FRONT TO BACK, CONSUMERS MOBILITY WAS HAMPERED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, CONSUMER FEELS THE LEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT OR MADE WITH THICKER SHAFT. *JB

20010212CHILD SEAT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20001107CrashFatalSEAT BELTS

RESTRAINT SYSTEM ANALYSIS WAS PERFORMED BY CHP-CENTRAL DIVISION MAIT. THE ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE RESTRAINT FAILED AT THE LATCH PLATE CONNECTION TO THE MOTORIZED GUIDE PLATE. THIS REPORT IS BEING FILED FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER BY THE CHP PER OUR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY.*AK

20000825FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A STRONG SMELL AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN PULLED OVER, AND THE SMOKE ERRUPTED INTO FLAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT FIRE WAS FUEL RELATED. *AK

20000327FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING WIRING WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSED A QUARTER OF FUEL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE PISTON AND ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE GASKETS TO BLOW. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20000327ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING WIRING WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSED A QUARTER OF FUEL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE PISTON AND ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE GASKETS TO BLOW. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20000127CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILURE DUE TO ABS BY-PASS COMING ON. BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP PROPERLY. THIS HAS RERSULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS, BUT NO INJURIES. ALSO BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG OR COULD BE FOUND. *AK

20000127CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILURE DUE TO ABS BY-PASS COMING ON. BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP PROPERLY. THIS HAS RERSULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS, BUT NO INJURIES. ALSO BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG OR COULD BE FOUND. *AK

19991129SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRES CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS, TRUCK LOCKS, HEATER FAN, DASH AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS TO FAIL. NLM

19991129VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. NLM

19991129POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING DUE TO DEFECTIVE/WORN INNER "D" RING ON CLUTCH PISTON WHICH IS MENTIONED IN THE 04-72 SERVICE BULLETIN. MJS

19991025POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY HANGS UP IN SECOND GEAR. ALSO, IT WILL PERIODICALLY HANG UP IN PASSING GEAR. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE IN WARM WEATHER THAN IN COLD. IF IT HANGS UP, I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND REACCELERATE TO GO THROUGH THE GEARS. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, I MUST LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. I WAS TOLD BY A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT A VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION IS THE CULPRIT AND IS A PROBLEM ON NISSANS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP.

Compare 1991NissanSentra to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1991 Nissan Sentra have?
The 1991 Nissan Sentra has 77 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 11 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Nissan Sentra?
The most-complained component for the 1991 Nissan Sentra is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1991 Nissan Sentra safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1991 Nissan Sentra; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.