1997 Nissan Sentra problems
Owners have filed 138 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA. Air bags account for 24.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of visibility at 19.6%.
Complaints138
Crashes34
Fires2
Injuries43
Deaths4
What owners report breaking
Air bags 24.6% · 34
Visibility 19.6% · 27
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.6% · 16
Electrical system 8.0% · 11
Vehicle speed control 6.5% · 9
Engine and engine cooling 4.3% · 6
Tires 3.6% · 5
Structure 2.9% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire, 43 report an injury and 4 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Nissan Sentra in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 2013 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 113,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer states vehicle was involved in a collision were the passenger and drivers side airbag deployed. Consumer states the electrical system failed and consumer was trapped in vehicle. Consumer states the chemical from airbag took all oxygen out of vehicle and consumer could hardly breath. Please provide any further information. Air bags
A deer stepped in front of vehicle which was traveling 55 mph. Deer was hit from left front, rolled across road upon impact with deer, neither air bags deployed. Driver suffered a broken two bulging discs one against spine.*Ak the seat belt also failed to restrain . The consumer resulting in serious injury. Air bags
I own a 1997 Nissan Sentra the main seal around the head gasket leaks causing oil to leak. Previous to this I owned a Nissan altima I think the year was 1993 that had the same problem. Also my air bag light constantly blinks ever since I bought it. The dealership said they couldn't do anything about it Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…