1989 Nissan Sentra Problems
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Nissan Sentra (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan Sentra. The part named most often is seat belts, with 22 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine cooling (9) and body and structure (3). Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts22 54%
- Engine cooling9 22%
- Body and structure3 7.3%
- Suspension3 7.3%
- Brakes1 2.4%
- Electrical system1 2.4%
- Other or unknown1 2.4%
- Seats1 2.4%
- Steering1 2.4%
Also reported: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Owner states that he received a recall notice for the release button on his seat belts , dealer repaired the problem but the day after he was involved in an accident, he notes that shoulder straps did not hold in place and driver hit steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #806310, filed 1996-12Engine cooling: “Car dies at stops.easily starts up again. Oxygen sensor has been changed but did not make a change. This is a real hazard as traffic is heavy. Mechanic has cleaned and checked but can not find problem. This started about six months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10036904, filed 2003-08Body and structure: “While driving vehicle would drift to the right. Taken vehicle to dealership,and mechanic indicated bushings had worn out excessively. Also, welds had separated and caused t frame to crack on passenger's side. Mechanic gave no guarantee prblem will remain fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #898817, filed 2001-11Suspension: “Automobile jumped forward in lower gears. Consumer had an accident, but did not know whether the jumping was the cause. Took automobile to dealer, and they did not know what was happening with the automobile.”
NHTSA complaint #860311, filed 2000-04Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Nissan Sentra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Sentra FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sentra FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sentra Coupe FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sentra Coupe FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sentra Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sentra Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sentra Wagon 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sentra Wagon 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103002May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Nissan Sentra 1987–1991, Pathfinder 1988–1991, Van 1987–1990 +6 more
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.
Recall details for the 1989 Nissan Sentra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10031305Sep 30, 2010Tires. Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10032506Sep 13, 2010Equipment. Nissan: 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…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Electrical system. Nissan: 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…
Other model years of the Nissan Sentra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 | 300 | 1 | — | 33 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 31 | 7,950 | 4 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 41 | 30,000 | 3 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 20 | 75,300 | 1 | 5 | 33 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 81 | 36,000 | 2 | 5 | 33 | 27 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 133 | 24,000 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 64 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 207 | 28,879 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 223 | 34,500 | 2 | 4 | 29 | 54 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 185 | 40,000 | 2 | 4 | 29 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 231 | 44,000 | 3 | 4 | 29 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 270 | 60,255 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 352 | 55,500 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 59 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 380 | 67,000 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 71 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 638 | 61,000 | 6 | 4 | 33 | 97 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 180 | 64,000 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 142 | 71,000 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 27 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 144 | 69,316 | 3 | — | 27 | 31 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 55 | 57,000 | 1 | — | 27 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 167 | 67,000 | 3 | — | 27 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 154 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 116 | 78,832 | 5 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 170 | 76,200 | 5 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 197 | 77,000 | 4 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 180 | 69,012 | 7 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 304 | 71,000 | 10 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 236 | 61,000 | 7 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 171 | 57,110 | 6 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 59 | 72,900 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 58 | 102,500 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 108 | 105,000 | 3 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 141 | 66,500 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 117 | 157,994 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 99 | 180,000 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 58 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 62 | 107,500 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 63 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | 82,958 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 41 | — | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 37 | 122,487 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 36 | — | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
All Nissan Sentra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Nissan Sentra have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan Sentra as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Nissan Sentra is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 22 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 9.
Has the 1989 Nissan Sentra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Nissan Sentra get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Nissan Sentra (Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.