1990 Nissan Sentra Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1990 Nissan Sentra. Part of Generation 2 — 1987–1990.

19891991
Complaints
45
Crashes
8
Fires
3
Injuries
13
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0

Worst 1990 Nissan Sentra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#16 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

#25 complaints

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

#33 complaints

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage

Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Nissan Sentra.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1990 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Sentra Years

1990 Nissan Sentra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1990 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1990 Nissan Sentra has 45 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1990 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (5 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1990 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1990 Nissan Sentra include 8 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1990 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1990 Nissan Sentra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1990 Nissan Sentra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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