VehicleVerdict

1991 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1991 Nissan Sentra sits mid-pack among Sentra years: 77 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 154, with 2 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (26% of the total).

77

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

8

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts2026%
Fuel System1216%
Brakes1013%
Transmission912%
Electrical System810%
Engine45%
Body & Structure34%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Other23%
Seats23%
Suspension23%
Tires & Wheels11%
Speed Control11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1991 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

91V022000Seat BeltsFebruary 8, 1991 · 165,000 units

Defect

IMPROPER BELT GUIDE PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELTS NEAR THE RETRACTOR.

Consequence

THE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING CAN CAUSEIMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE BELT, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO INADEQUATE PROTECTION OFSEAT OCCUPANT DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, AND COULD RESULT IN INCREASEDRISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

MODIFY THE SAFETY BELT GUIDES TO PREVENT FRAYING; AND OR REPLACE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IF FRAYING IS PRESENT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 8, 2000 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 18, 2000 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 15, 1991 · crash

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 25, 2006

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 5, 2006 · fire

1991 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 1991 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 77 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sentra year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (20 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 1991 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.