RecallMyCar

1997 Nissan Sentra Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1997 Nissan Sentra, and owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
108
owner complaints to NHTSA
26 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
23–29
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1997 Nissan Sentra

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Linkages (visibility)

    NHTSA 98V093000 Reported 512,387 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    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.

    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.

  2. Tail lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 98V008000 Reported 65,000 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Remedy: 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…

  3. Door (structure)

    NHTSA 97V110000 Reported 450 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will install the missing pad in each rear door.

108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Nissan Sentra have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA; 26 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 26 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 102,313 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 18 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 4, 2018 · Air bags

“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 fa”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 12, 2016 · Air bags

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 Nissan Sentra/200SX. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined23–29 mpg
City / Highway21–25 / 28–35
FuelRegular
EPA classSubcompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 1.6/2 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Nissan Sentra model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Nissan Sentra model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1982 Nissan Sentra11
1983 Nissan Sentra11
1984 Nissan Sentra03
1985 Nissan Sentra06
1986 Nissan Sentra06
1987 Nissan Sentra136
1988 Nissan Sentra137
1989 Nissan Sentra141
1990 Nissan Sentra239
1991 Nissan Sentra263
1992 Nissan Sentra062
1993 Nissan Sentra058
1994 Nissan Sentra099
1995 Nissan Sentra3117
1996 Nissan Sentra3141
1997 Nissan Sentra3108
1998 Nissan Sentra158
1999 Nissan Sentra059
2000 Nissan Sentra6171
2001 Nissan Sentra7236
2002 Nissan Sentra10304
2003 Nissan Sentra7180
2004 Nissan Sentra4197
2005 Nissan Sentra5170
2006 Nissan Sentra5116
2007 Nissan Sentra1154
2008 Nissan Sentra3167
2009 Nissan Sentra155
2010 Nissan Sentra3144
2011 Nissan Sentra2142
2012 Nissan Sentra0180
2013 Nissan Sentra6638
2014 Nissan Sentra5380
2015 Nissan Sentra3351
2016 Nissan Sentra6270
2017 Nissan Sentra3231
2018 Nissan Sentra2185
2019 Nissan Sentra2222
2020 Nissan Sentra4206
2021 Nissan Sentra3132
2022 Nissan Sentra281
2023 Nissan Sentra120
2024 Nissan Sentra341
2025 Nissan Sentra430
2026 Nissan Sentra116

Checking a specific 1997 Nissan Sentra

How do I know if my 1997 Nissan Sentra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1997 Nissan Sentra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Nissan dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 97V110000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Nissan models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.