1991 Nissan Sentra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 286,320miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1991 Nissan Sentra, 11% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 286,320 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A failure of the electrical wiring harness caused an engine fire in my 1991 Sentra. Quick action I was able to save the car from an entire loss which clearly points to where the fire started. Nissan didn't want to even look at unless they charged me 89 dollars for a diagnostic test. They could answer me when asked what value that would add since I have all the wires separated and safely taped from shorting further.”
NHTSA complaint #10165061, filed 2006-08, 286,320 miles“There seems to be a default in the wiring harness. This caused an electricl fire that burned through a fuel line coming from the carburator. A lot of damage was done to the area around the harness and it was only good luck that kept the fire from causing a complete burn down. Are there any other reports on this type defect? Has there been a call back for this defect? I would be grateful for any information related to this.”
NHTSA complaint #700243, filed 1998-11“While driving driver saw smoke coming from under the front hood. Driver pulled vehicle to the side of the road when it caught on fire in the engine compartment and burned. The fire was put out by the fire department. The vehcle was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #844384, filed 1999-08“While turning on ignition switch, owner smelled strong odor, noticed smoke coming from underhood, turned off ignition, checked underhood, flames shot out from radio noise condensor.”
NHTSA complaint #803971, filed 1996-11“Stopped at traffic light, vehicle stalled, restarted it, vehicle stalled again, tried starting again, noticed odor, smoke and flames coming from vehicle,”
NHTSA complaint #984024, filed 1996-05Related service bulletins
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235729Apr 3, 2023RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 10 | 24% |
| 2023 | 8 | 40% |
| 2022 | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 | 45 | 22% |
| 2019 | 65 | 29% |
| 2018 | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 | 45 | 17% |
| 2015 | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 43 | 7% |
| 2012 | 13 | 7% |
| 2011 | 34 | 24% |
| 2010 | 50 | 35% |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 19% |
| 2002 | 54 | 18% |
| 2001 | 44 | 19% |
| 2000 | 29 | 17% |
| 1999 | 12 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 12% |
| 1992 | 14 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1991 Nissan Sentra
19 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Nissan Sentra
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology