Have a 1997 nissan sentra 1.6 x e four-door sedan. This morning starting the vehicle I noticed the airbag light stayed on and begin to blank and would not shut off after further inspection I realize that no one had made any contact with my vehicle sitting in my driveway the vehicle is at 227xxx miles but I would never expect for a safety restraint system to expire or malfunction I really hope that nissan takes this into consideration.
The worst 1997 Nissan Sentra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags33
- Visibility24
- Brakes15
- Electrical10
- Acceleration9
- Engine7
- Tires5
- Lights4
- Steering4
- Body3
- Fuel system3
- Seat belts3
- Suspension3
- Seats2
- Locks1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Nissan Sentra
Recalls 3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Water can enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage.
- Risk
- This can result in gradual wear over a period of time inside the joint that could lead to the separation of the wiper linkage assembly from the wiper motor linkage at the ball joint. A loss of windshield wiper function can result in this separation occurs.
- Remedy
- To prevent grease from being washed out of the joint, the dealers will modify by adding a water diversion seal that will prevent water from entering the windshield wiper linkage ball joint area.
Recall number 98V093000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: tail lights
- What is wrong
- These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- Following vehicles may not be aware that the vehicle in front is stopping, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with two new light bulbs for the stop/tail lamps which are brighter than the original bulbs. A label with the new bulb number will also be provided for insertion into the owner's manual. If an owner so desires, a dealers can install the light bulbs for them.
Recall number 98V008000 · Recall details
Structure: body: door
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of three styrofoam pads located in each rear door as part of the design for ensuring compliance with fmvss no. 214, "side door strength," was not installed.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, an occupant would not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the missing pad in each rear door.
Recall number 97V110000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Nissan Sentra 46
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
- 12 volt battery testing for in-service vehicles service information
- Silicone-based lubricant or grease CAN damage electrical components service information
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Intelligent key replacement or swapping between vehicles
- Radio intermittently reboots during audio playback via bluetooth connected iphone
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Strut and shock absorber replacement guidelines
1997 Nissan Sentra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23-25 | 33-35 | 27-29 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 28-29 | 23-24 |
What 1997 Nissan Sentra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan sentra. After the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
At a stop sign with the car in drive, the engine RPM accelerated by itself. Later while parking, with car in park, the engine accelerated and engine continued to rev.
Braking at a stop sign while in drive, the engine RPM increased by itself. Later while parking the engine RPM increased and stayed at a high RPM by itself while in park.
Car stolen from parking lot
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while traveling 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the fuel pump and fuel lines needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle had not been to the dealer. The failure mileage was 153,000 and the current mileage was 167,000. Updated 01/05/13*lj updated 02/06/13
I have a 1997 nissan sentra and on a rainy day my windshield wipers quit working without warning. The wiper transmission motor sounds like its working but nothing happens. It has been suggested it is a faulty wiper arm. I found out about recall 98v093000 and called nissan north america. They informed me there is no open recall on the issue and that my VIN number did not qualify for the recall.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan sentra. The contact stated the windshield wipers stopped working on the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the windshield wipers failing. The manufacturer confirmed that the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 98v093000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages) for the vehicle was closed. The contact was concerned about the safety issue. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan sentra. The contact stated that he experienced several failures with the front and rear suspension, the hub and the steering. The sales dealer would not assist with repairs. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000 and the current mileage was 178,568.
Vehicle engine was idling car was in park. Turned on windshield wiper switch I heard a loud knock in the dash console and could hear a mechanism sound as if windshield wipers were moving but the wipers themselves did not move so the result of this is no visibility without windshield wipers working on rainy days. Unable to drive vehicle.
Compare the 1997 Nissan Sentra
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 Nissan Sentra
Is the 1997 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Owners have filed 108 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Sentra, fewer than a typical Sentra model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Nissan Sentra?
Airbags, with 33 complaints. Next is visibility (24).
How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Sentra have?
3 recalls, covering visibility, exterior lighting and structure.
What year does the Nissan Sentra have bad airbags?
The Nissan Sentra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (96 complaints), 1996 (53 complaints) and 2008 (53 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Nissan Sentra get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Nissan Sentra range from 23 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23-25 city and 33-35 highway.
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