1988 Nissan Sentra
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Nissan › Sentra › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Nissan Sentra. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 Nissan Sentra. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
37 complaints4 involved a crash4 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Suspension › Front
While executing a low speed left hand turn, the left control arm broke resulting in a loss of control and expensive front suspension repairs. the left wheel turned perpendicular to the car and the car skidded to a stop in the middle of the street. With the front tires pointing in different…
While executing a low speed left hand turn, the left control arm broke resulting in a loss of control and expensive front suspension repairs. the left wheel turned perpendicular to the car and the car skidded to a stop in the middle of the street. With the front tires pointing in different directions, it was impossible to move. Towed in for repairs. the cv joint, strut and steering rack were all damaged due to the control arm failure. the control arm broke just in front of the ball joint. *tr
- Unknown or other
1988 nissan sentra insurance claim for repair. *Ts *jb
- Seats
While in an accident driver's seat callapsed, causing consumer to hold on to steering wheel. Please provide further information. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, other
Fuel and temperature gauge works once a month, then fails. *Et
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine IS costing too much to fix. The head was replaced, but stil not working.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
A failure in either of the two rubber or neoprene hoses in the air injection system will allow exhaust gases to backflow and cause a fire. If the lower hose breaks the distributer and wiring will ignite. A failure at the air intake reed system could possibly ignite it as it IS non- metal.…
A failure in either of the two rubber or neoprene hoses in the air injection system will allow exhaust gases to backflow and cause a fire. If the lower hose breaks the distributer and wiring will ignite. A failure at the air intake reed system could possibly ignite it as it IS non- metal. Additionally if the vehicle IS being worked on without the air cleaner assembly on the car exhaust will backflow out of the air injection tube and ignite the non metallic portions of the hose.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belts failed prior to recall notice resulting in failure during accident causing injury to the driver.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
The consumer has been experiencing problems with fuel tank. fuel tank leaks fuel. the manufacturer has been contacted. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fire.
- Seat belts › Front
Vehicle was at rest, hit from rear, driver's seat belt did not restrain driver. driver's head hit windshield.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Checked oil and filled up the oil holder, 200 mile in the trip a loud clanking sound was heard under the hood, lost power, no restart, after opening the hood smoke was everywhere, technician revealed that the engine simply burst for lack of oil, no indicator light came on.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator stuck.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Fuel line leaks.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Crankshaft penetrated engine, causing failure.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission failure. *ak
- Seat belts
While driving 35 mph the defective driver's seat belt tightened and then broke in half at the lap and shoulder belt connection, causing injuries to head, neck and body. *ak
- Seat belts
During frontal impact at speeds of 35mph, the driver's side seat belt did not lock until after consumer hit steering wheel. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Fusible link shorted out, causing brake lights to fail.
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
Right cv joint broke off/went into transmission, causing accident.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Front seat belt failed prior to recall, causing injury in accident. *Sd
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
During a front impact accident, at 30 mph, the rear center seat belt did not stay locked in place., it disconnected upon impact.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Purchased car used, there IS crack in the engine . Please describe .*ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Vehicle's rack and pinion steering has to be replaced, ball joints also needed to be replaced. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, other
Temperature guage works intermittently.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle's rocker arm shaft has broken twice. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10032506Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the appropriate section of the electronic service manuals (esm; when installing the new valve, do not add any lube to its o ring; for frontier (D40 series) only, install the protector listed in parts information. Includes 2005-09 frontier. Updated 12/8/10.
- 10031305Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. Updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10030165Nissan: the 12 volt battery IS an important part of the vehicle electrical system and IS required to stay connected when the engine IS running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components follow the instructions/cautions. No model years listed.
Every Nissan Sentra model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.