VehicleVerdict

1987 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1987 Nissan Sentra is among the quieter years of the Sentra on NHTSA's books: 46 complaints (70% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (35% of the total).

46

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1635%
Transmission715%
Engine613%
Fuel System49%
Latches & Locks37%
Body & Structure37%
Electrical System24%
Speed Control24%
Lighting12%
Brakes12%
Other12%

Does the 1987 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103002Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 2,730,462 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

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

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RAN UP ON GRAVEL, LOST CONTROL, HIT TELEPHONE WIRE, SHOULDER/LAP BELT FAIL TO RETRACT UPON IMPACT 35-40MPH, RESULTING IN HEAD GOING THROUGH WINDSHIELD. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 3, 1995 · crash

“THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STALL FOR NO REASON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. HAPPENED 3 YEARS LATER. WAS INFORMED THAT TORQUE CONVERTOR WAS PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 10, 1997

“WHILE AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL TO A SIDE OF FREEWAY, ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, FIRE ERRUPTED; ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

“ENGINE IDLE IS HIGH AFTER STARTING AND REMAINS HIGH AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. IDLE IS ROUGH AT LOW RPM AND HESITANT UNDER A LOAD. CONSUMES MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, ABOUT 80 MILES A TANK LESS RANGE. MOLDING IS FALLING OFF ON BODY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 1995

“AT TIMES THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE DOORS WILL FREEZE UP AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE SHUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks

1987 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 1987 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 46 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sentra year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1987 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (16 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1987 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.