1995 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1995 Nissan Sentra carries two red flags at once: 158 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS). It is one of the Sentra years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 52 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 52 reports (33% of the total).

158

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Nissan Sentra problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	52	33%	▲ up
Brakes	33	21%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	13	8%	— flat
Engine	12	8%	— flat
Electrical System	9	6%	— flat
Speed Control	7	4%	— flat
Fuel System	7	4%	▲ up
Seat Belts	4	3%	▼ down
Transmission	4	3%	— flat
Steering	4	3%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	3	2%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	3	2%	▲ up
Body & Structure	2	1%	— flat
Lighting	2	1%	▼ down
Suspension	2	1%	▲ up
Other	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 1995 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

00V063000SuspensionMarch 2, 2000 · 14,800 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CORROSION RESISTANCE IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF DE-ICING SALTS ARE APPLIED TO ROADS IN THE WINTER.

Consequence

IF A BROKEN SPRING COMES OUT OF THE LOWER SEAT, IT COULD CONTACT AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRING.

98V093000Visibility & WipersMay 5, 1998 · 512,387 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.

Remedy

TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.

95V028000BrakesMarch 1, 1995 · 950 units

Defect

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY PURGED OF ALL AIR DURING THE FILL AND EVACUATION PROCESS CAUSING AIR BUBBLES TO GET INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL BLEED THE ABS HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR TO REMOVE ANY AIR BUBBLES IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Open NHTSA investigations

SQ99018

CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS

NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA OF 11,100 1994 THROUGH 1996 SENTRA 2 DOOR MODELS IN WHICH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE FRACTURING FROM CORROSION FATIGUE.NISSAN REPORTED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR FROM A LOSS OF THE PROTECTIVE PAINT COATING ON THE SPRINGS AND EXPOSURE TO HEAVY ROAD SALT.CORROSION CAN CAUSE PITS TO FORM ON THE SPRING SURFACE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SPRING.A BROKEN SPRING COULDPUNCTURE THE AFFECTED TIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE CANADIAN RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 99-069, DATED APRIL 28, 1999.THE PURPOSE OF THIS SQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE CANADIAN SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN THE U.S. AS A SAFETY RECALL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION WITH VEHICLE THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE NUMBER 2 LANE OF FREEWAY FOR OTHER VEH. ACCIDENT. REAR ENDED STOPPED CAR AT 40-45 MPH AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY FORCING MY HEAD AND BODY INTO STEERING WHEEL WITH INJURIES AS A RESULT. CONTACTED NISSAN ON 061401 ABOUT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 2, 2001 · crash

“WHILE COMING OFF A RAMP CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, HIT BRAKES AND HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND THEN VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE METAL GUARDRAIL AND SPUN AROUND IN THE STREET, AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HOWEVER NO ONE WAS INJURED JUST SHOOK UP. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 25, 1997 · crash

“WIPER BLADES QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ON RAINY NIGHT. HAD TO PULL A SIDE AND WAITED 3 HOURS FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE FAILED. THERE IS RECALL ON THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE ON NISSAN SENTRA 200SX FOR 1995 TO 1998 CARS. BUT THE DEALER SAID THIS CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 4, 2005

“THIS VALVE FAILURE CAUSTES THE ENGINE TO STOP AT LOW SPEEDS ONE YOU START THE AC. BY CONTACTING THE DEALER, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TO FIX IT, WE HAVE TO BY THE NEW PART IN ADDITION TO A HARNESS WHICH WAS NOT A PART OF THE ENGINE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 2000

“WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AND STOPPED. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD NO SMOKE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE , FAR LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 4, 1997 · fire

1995 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 1995 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 158 complaints put the 1995 model at #22 of 45 Sentra years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sentra years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (52 complaints), brakes (33 complaints), visibility & wipers (13 complaints).

Does the 1995 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1995 compare to other Sentra years?

What are the most common 1995 Nissan Sentra problems?

Does the 1995 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Open NHTSA investigations

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1995 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 1995 Nissan Sentra reliable?

What are the most common 1995 Sentra problems?

Does the 1995 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Is the 1995 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Related