1997 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sentra years
- Fewer complaints than other years 24th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Nissan Sentra. That ranks 24th out of 32 Sentra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (33 complaints, 31%), typically at around 117,954 miles. Complaints mention 26 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 108owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 26complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Nissan Sentra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 33 | 31% | 117,954 | — | — |
| Visibility | 24 | 22% | 116,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 | 14% | 120,907 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 10 | 9% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 8% | 163,429 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 6% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 5% | 129,472 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 4% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3% | 153,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 2% | 109,999 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Nissan Sentra recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:tail lights
Problem: These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Following vehicles may not be aware that the vehicle in front is stopping, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with two new light bulbs for the stop/tail lamps which are brighter than the original bulbs. A label with the new bulb number will also be provided for insertion into the owner's manual. If an owner so desires, a dealers can install the light bulbs for them.
Structure:body:door
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of three styrofoam pads located in each rear door as part of the design for ensuring compliance with fmvss no. 214, "side door strength," was not installed.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an occupant would not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will install the missing pad in each rear door.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Have a 1997 nissan sentra 1.6 x e four-door sedan. This morning starting the vehicle i noticed the airbag light stayed on and begin to blank and would not shut off after further inspection i realize that no one had made any contact with my vehicle sitting in my driveway the vehicle is at 227xxx…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan sentra. After the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Braking at a stop sign while in drive, the engine rpm increased by itself. Later while parking the engine rpm increased and stayed at a high rpm by itself while in park. *tr
At a stop sign with the car in drive, the engine rpm accelerated by itself. Later while parking, with car in park, the engine accelerated and engine continued to rev. *tr
Car stolen from parking lot
Other Nissan Sentra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sentra | 18 | 1 |
| 2025 Sentra | 31 | 4 |
| 2024 Sentra | 41 | 3 |
| 2023 Sentra | 20 | 1 |
| 2022 Sentra | 81 | 2 |
| 2021 Sentra | 132 | 3 |
| 2020 Sentra | 206 | 4 |
| 2019 Sentra | 222 | 2 |
| 2018 Sentra | 185 | 2 |
| 2017 Sentra | 231 | 3 |
| 2016 Sentra | 270 | 6 |
| 2015 Sentra | 351 | 3 |
| 2014 Sentra | 380 | 5 |
| 2013 Sentra | 638 | 6 |
| 2012 Sentra | 180 | 0 |
| 2011 Sentra | 142 | 2 |
| 2010 Sentra | 144 | 3 |
| 2009 Sentra | 55 | 1 |
| 2008 Sentra | 167 | 3 |
| 2007 Sentra | 154 | 1 |
| 2006 Sentra | 116 | 5 |
| 2005 Sentra | 170 | 5 |
| 2004 Sentra | 197 | 4 |
| 2003 Sentra | 180 | 7 |
| 2002 Sentra | 304 | 10 |
| 2001 Sentra | 236 | 7 |
| 2000 Sentra | 171 | 6 |
| 1999 Sentra | 59 | 0 |
| 1998 Sentra | 58 | 1 |
| 1997 | 108 | 3 |
| 1996 Sentra | 141 | 3 |
| 1995 Sentra | 117 | 3 |
See all Nissan Sentra problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Sentra?
Owners most often report air bags, visibility, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 33 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Nissan Sentra?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Nissan Sentra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sentra model years, the 1997 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.