The 1988 Nissan Sentra has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 2,730,462 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030021995-05-242,730,462 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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…
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
10
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2
SEAT BELTS
2
2crashes2injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2
2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints40
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Fuel and temperature gauge works once a month, then fails. *et”
“Fuel and temperature gauge works once a month, then fails. *et”
“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.…”
“Vehicle was at rest, hit from rear, driver's seat belt did not restrain driver. Driver's head hit windshield.”
“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.”
“Engine fire.”
“The consumer has been experiencing problems with fuel tank. Fuel tank leaks fuel. The manufacturer has been contacted. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95007 Opened 1995-03-10 · closed 1995-08-02
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Nissan Sentra as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.