NISSAN SENTRA · model year

1992 NISSAN SENTRA

81 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992NISSANSENTRA carries 81 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 17 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 SENTRA is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 7 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring:front underhood (5) and power train:manual transmission (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1992 SENTRA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

81
Complaints
10
Crashes
17
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

81 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD5
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS2
SEAT BELTS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2

Recent Complaints

20160122FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

GOING STRAIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO LOSE POWER FIRST. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOTTLE OUT OF CONTROL NEARLY CRASHING, LUCKILY REGAINING THE CAR'S CONTROL, AS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN BUT STILL HAD MOMENTUM, TO PARK AT A EMPTY LOT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE CAR (IMAGINING THE BATTERY SIMPLY DIED) THE ENGINE WAS NOT RECEIVING GAS (EVEN AT LITTLE OVER HALF TANK) AND WHEN IN MOVEMENT IT WOULD SEEM FINE AT REST BUT PRESSING THE GAS THE CAR WOULD MOVE FOR 5 FEET FINE BUT START TO THRUST ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO JOLT FORWARD SEVERAL TIME BEFORE GOING TO A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN. NO PUSH START NOR JUMP START WAS SUCCESSFUL AT TRYING TO GET MY FAMILY BACK HOME SAFELY. WHEN THIS WASN'T ENOUGH AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORT OUT NEARLY CATCHING THE CAR ON FIRE. THUS ENDING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH PUSHING THE CAR TO A HOME DEPOT (LUCKILY A COUNTY OFFICER HELP PUSH THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WAY). RECAP: AXLES ARE BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINES ARE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING

20160122FireENGINE

GOING STRAIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO LOSE POWER FIRST. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOTTLE OUT OF CONTROL NEARLY CRASHING, LUCKILY REGAINING THE CAR'S CONTROL, AS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN BUT STILL HAD MOMENTUM, TO PARK AT A EMPTY LOT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE CAR (IMAGINING THE BATTERY SIMPLY DIED) THE ENGINE WAS NOT RECEIVING GAS (EVEN AT LITTLE OVER HALF TANK) AND WHEN IN MOVEMENT IT WOULD SEEM FINE AT REST BUT PRESSING THE GAS THE CAR WOULD MOVE FOR 5 FEET FINE BUT START TO THRUST ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO JOLT FORWARD SEVERAL TIME BEFORE GOING TO A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN. NO PUSH START NOR JUMP START WAS SUCCESSFUL AT TRYING TO GET MY FAMILY BACK HOME SAFELY. WHEN THIS WASN'T ENOUGH AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORT OUT NEARLY CATCHING THE CAR ON FIRE. THUS ENDING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH PUSHING THE CAR TO A HOME DEPOT (LUCKILY A COUNTY OFFICER HELP PUSH THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WAY). RECAP: AXLES ARE BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINES ARE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING

20160122FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GOING STRAIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO LOSE POWER FIRST. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOTTLE OUT OF CONTROL NEARLY CRASHING, LUCKILY REGAINING THE CAR'S CONTROL, AS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN BUT STILL HAD MOMENTUM, TO PARK AT A EMPTY LOT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE CAR (IMAGINING THE BATTERY SIMPLY DIED) THE ENGINE WAS NOT RECEIVING GAS (EVEN AT LITTLE OVER HALF TANK) AND WHEN IN MOVEMENT IT WOULD SEEM FINE AT REST BUT PRESSING THE GAS THE CAR WOULD MOVE FOR 5 FEET FINE BUT START TO THRUST ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO JOLT FORWARD SEVERAL TIME BEFORE GOING TO A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN. NO PUSH START NOR JUMP START WAS SUCCESSFUL AT TRYING TO GET MY FAMILY BACK HOME SAFELY. WHEN THIS WASN'T ENOUGH AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORT OUT NEARLY CATCHING THE CAR ON FIRE. THUS ENDING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH PUSHING THE CAR TO A HOME DEPOT (LUCKILY A COUNTY OFFICER HELP PUSH THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WAY). RECAP: AXLES ARE BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINES ARE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING

20150218CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS COMING BACK FROM TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK AND I WAS GETTING READY TO GO THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT WHEN A CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT WHICH MADE ME T-BONE HIM. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY WHOLE FRONT END GOT PUSHED ALMOST TO THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD A CARDIAC ARREST AND WHEN THE AMBULANCE GOT THERE THEY HAD TO BRING ME BACK TO LIFE. I HAVE A LOT OF BRUISING ON MY CHEST WHERE I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY KNEE. I'VE GOT A LOT OF CONTUSIONS INSIDE MY BODY. I HAVE A BRUISE WHERE MY SEATBELT CAUGHT ME. I WAS IN HOSPITAL FROM FEBRUARY 12 2015 TO FEBRUARY 16 2015. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20120827FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER PARKING THE CAR FOLLOWING A BRIEF ERRAND, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ALTHOUGH IT WAS 20 YEARS OLD, IT WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR BURNED, IT WAS TOTALED. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR FOR THE FIRE TO BE EXTINGUISHED.

Mileage: 110,000

20111209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER FOR HER FIRST CAR. IT WAS IN MINT SHAPE WITH ONLY 81,000 MILES AT PURCHASE. ON THE DATE STATED SHE WENT TO START THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. UPON STARTING THE CAR SMOKE IMMEDIATELY CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE FIREWALL. SHE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR FIREWALL WITH FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SHE SHUT THE HOOD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE CAR WAS STILL ON FIRE AND HAD CONSUMED MOST OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HAD SPREAD THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND INTO THE DASH. THE CAR WAS COLD AND HAD NOT BEEN RUN SINCE THE PREVIOUS DAY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AFTER THE FIRE ESPECIALLY WITH REPORTS FROM THE NHTSA THERE MUST BE A DEFECT WITH THE WIRING HARNESS WITH THE SENTRAS. HAS THE NHTSA INVESTIGATED THESE CLAIMS BY OTHER PEOPLE OF SENTRA'S OF THE SAME YEAR SAME COMPONENT CATCHING FIRE? WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS FIRE I CA

Mileage: 96,000

20110929ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ODOR THAT MADE HIM DIZZY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A DOCTOR CONFIRMED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS INHALED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20070628FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PARKED CAR, SMOKE EMERGED FROM HOOD NEAR WIND SCREEN, THEN PAINT BUBBLED IN MIDDLE OF HOOD. SECONDS LATE, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES, AND CAR WAS INCINERATED. PRIOR TO THIS, CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, HOUSED IN GARAGE, AND HAD JUST PASSED ITS TOUGH NYC ANNUAL INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO SMELL OF GASOLINE PRIOR TO BLAZE, AND NO APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO SAY WHAT CAUSED FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 105,000

20031014SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES LOCK IN EMERGENCY AND NORMAL BRAKING, CAUSING SKIDS, 3 NEAR-MISSES OVER THE LAST WEEK. *LA

Mileage: 83,754

20020207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20001013POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

#1: I HAVE A NISSAN SENTRA 92 MODEL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I FIRST START TO DRIVE IT WHEN ITS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION RUNS JUST FINE. IT UPSHIFTS NORMALLY AS IT SHOULD ALL THE WAY UP TO OVERDRIVE (4TH GEAR) FOR NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. HOWEVER, AFTER IVE DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES IN STOP-&-GO TRAFFIC OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (40-65 MPH) & MADE SEVERAL STOPS IN TRAFFIC (I.E.: IT HAS WARMED-UP) THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO UPSHIFT ABOVE THE 3RD & 4TH GEAR (OVERDRIVE). I WOULD HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE RPM UP TO AROUND 4,000 RPM TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TO ABOUT 40 MPH AND CONTINUE TO REV IT UP TO 5,000-6,000 RPM TO ACCELERATE IT FURTHER TO 45-60 MPH. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAS NEVER RUN THAT HIGH BEFORE TO REACH THOSE SPEEDS. I'VE ALWAYS DRIVEN THIS CAR WITH OVERDRIVE ENGAGED & I'VE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT EVER. #2:  FRONT PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW PLASTIC ASSEMBLY WHERE THE CABLE ATTACHES TO THE REGUL

20001013VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

#1: I HAVE A NISSAN SENTRA 92 MODEL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I FIRST START TO DRIVE IT WHEN ITS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION RUNS JUST FINE. IT UPSHIFTS NORMALLY AS IT SHOULD ALL THE WAY UP TO OVERDRIVE (4TH GEAR) FOR NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. HOWEVER, AFTER IVE DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES IN STOP-&-GO TRAFFIC OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (40-65 MPH) & MADE SEVERAL STOPS IN TRAFFIC (I.E.: IT HAS WARMED-UP) THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO UPSHIFT ABOVE THE 3RD & 4TH GEAR (OVERDRIVE). I WOULD HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE RPM UP TO AROUND 4,000 RPM TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TO ABOUT 40 MPH AND CONTINUE TO REV IT UP TO 5,000-6,000 RPM TO ACCELERATE IT FURTHER TO 45-60 MPH. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAS NEVER RUN THAT HIGH BEFORE TO REACH THOSE SPEEDS. I'VE ALWAYS DRIVEN THIS CAR WITH OVERDRIVE ENGAGED & I'VE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT EVER. #2:  FRONT PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW PLASTIC ASSEMBLY WHERE THE CABLE ATTACHES TO THE REGUL

20000918CrashTIRES

INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. BUT EVER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION INTO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE BEGAN, I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT *COULD* HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE. SHE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE DAY THE TIRE SEPARATED, AND FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT ON THE FRONT AXLE. MY BELIEF NOW, IN LIGHT OF THIS RECENT DEVELOPMENT, IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HIDING INFORMATION FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 17570R13 )

20000918FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ON 6/12/2000, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1992 NISSAN SENTRA OUT OF HER COMPANY'S PARKING LOT, AT 5 MPH, AN ODOR STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR THROUGH ITS AIR VENT. ONE MINUTE LATER, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, SHE VERY QUICKLY DROVE BACK TO HER OFFICE, RAISED THE CAR'S HOOD, AND FOUND THE IGNITION WIRING ON FIRE. SHE DUMPED WATER ON THE FIRE AND PUT IT OUT. SHE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. TO COME AND MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE FIRE DEPT. AND POLICE BOTH SHOWED UP. THEY INSTRUCTED HER TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND NOT TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE DID AS THEY INSTRUCTED. I CAME TO HER OFFICE AND WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE CAUSE FOR THE WIRING TO CATCH FIRE. NOTHING WAS TOUCHING THE WIRING, NO WIRES WERE EXPOSED, THE WIRING BUNDLE WAS NOT RUBBING UP AGAINST ANYTHING, AND THE WIRING WAS IN ITS ORIGINAL WRAPPED, BUNDLED LOOM. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS

20000918SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

ANTILOCK BRAKES ON 1992 SENTRA SER WITH ORIGINAL DUNLOP TIRES COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN APPLIED IN EVEN WET CONDITIONS. BRAKES WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE EVEN WHEN TRANSITIONING ONTO DRY PAVEMENT UNLESS THEN ARE TOTALLY RELEASED AND REAPPLIED. THERE IS NO BRAKING ACTION WHEN THESE DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGE!

20000914CrashTIRES

INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. BUT EVER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION INTO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE BEGAN, I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT *COULD* HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE. SHE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE DAY THE TIRE SEPARATED, AND FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT ON THE FRONT AXLE. MY BELIEF NOW, IN LIGHT OF THIS RECENT DEVELOPMENT, IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HIDING INFORMATION FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 17570R13 )

20000824FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ON 6/12/2000, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1992 NISSAN SENTRA OUT OF HER COMPANY'S PARKING LOT, AT 5 MPH, AN ODOR STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR THROUGH ITS AIR VENT. ONE MINUTE LATER, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, SHE VERY QUICKLY DROVE BACK TO HER OFFICE, RAISED THE CAR'S HOOD, AND FOUND THE IGNITION WIRING ON FIRE. SHE DUMPED WATER ON THE FIRE AND PUT IT OUT. SHE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. TO COME AND MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE FIRE DEPT. AND POLICE BOTH SHOWED UP. THEY INSTRUCTED HER TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND NOT TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE DID AS THEY INSTRUCTED. I CAME TO HER OFFICE AND WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE CAUSE FOR THE WIRING TO CATCH FIRE. NOTHING WAS TOUCHING THE WIRING, NO WIRES WERE EXPOSED, THE WIRING BUNDLE WAS NOT RUBBING UP AGAINST ANYTHING, AND THE WIRING WAS IN ITS ORIGINAL WRAPPED, BUNDLED LOOM. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS

20000706CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH & ANOTHER CUT THE CONSUMER OFF. CONSUMER RAN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EMBANKMENT & RAND HEAD-ON INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER IS TRYING TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

20000411UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT IS FADING,WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFAUTER USED BAD PRIMER, THE PROBLEM IS CALLED DELAMINATION. WAS ALSO INFORMED THE GM HAS REPAINTED CARS BUT NISSAN ISSUED NO SUCH RECALL. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NO TRADE IN VALUE FOR MY CAR WHICH SHOULD. NO SAFETY DEFECT INDICATED IN SUMMARY. *AK

20000313ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD AND MAKING A SHARP TURN OR SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL JUST CUT OFF, OR MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, THEN SOUND STOPS. IF SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT STOP SIGN, IT VIBRATES VERY BADLY. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. . DEALER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAS A BAD INJECTOR INSIDE THE THIRD CYLINDER. *AK

Compare 1992NISSANSENTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 NISSAN SENTRA have?
The 1992 NISSAN SENTRA has 81 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 17 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 NISSAN SENTRA?
The most-complained component for the 1992 NISSAN SENTRA is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD and POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1992 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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.