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1997 Nissan Sentra visibility problems

24 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 122,385. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
24
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
122,385
crashes
3
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
    7
  • Windshield wiper/washer
    5
  • Power window devices and controls
    5
  • Windshield wiper/washer: motor
    4
  • Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
    1
  • Rear window wiper/washer
    1
  • Glass, side/rear
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: heater core
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan Sentra visibility problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Nissan Sentra visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 18

Related recalls

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported May 5, 1998 · 512,387 vehicles affected
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

What 1997 Nissan Sentra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Visibility · 147,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed May 25, 2011 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jul 3, 2009 · Visibility · 122,385 miles · VA

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.

Filed May 5, 2005 · Visibility · VA

Dt: the vehicle's windshield wiper motor had to be replaced twice. When the wipers were in use they would stop causing poor visibility.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Visibility · 112,000 miles · IL

The federal safety agency recall 98v093000. This vehicle was not included in the wiper motor recall due to VIN although it experienced the same problems that were mentioned in the recall. *ak while driving in snow/sleet the wiper stopped functioning which caused reduced visibility.

Filed Oct 25, 2004 · Visibility · 94,234 miles · MD

Windshield wipers failed to engage. Husband diagnosed windshield wiper system, power to wiper motor was okay, continued to troubleshoot, found wiper arm control seperated from wiper motor. Seems like the same issue the recall 98v093000 pertained to. Husband lubricated ball joint, and squeezed socket to ball back together. No problems since repair.

Filed May 26, 2004 · Visibility · 160,500 miles · PA

(1) it was a light rain. The wiper is in the lowest setting. Both wipers stopped working. I can hear the wiper motor running but the wipers doesn't operate. (2) as it was no raining hard, I was still able to drive vehicle safely home. I found there is a recall for the windshield wiper/washer:linkages for 1997 nissan sentra. (3) contacted nissan about the problem because I have never receive a recall notice but I am told the recall doesn't applied to my VIN number. I took the vehicle to a nissan dealership repair shop. They replaced the wiper transmission which consists of the pivot-assy-wipe(r), and 2 link assy-conne(ctor). The old parts are unavailable.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Visibility · 121,000 miles · OH

This complaint is regard to the voluntary recall on the '97 nissan sentra's wiper seal. When I contacted the dealer and then the 1-800 nissan customer service line I was told that the recall didn't apply to my vehicle despite the fact that it falls within the range of numbers given on nissan's own website (clipped from web page - [xxx]to [xxx] (sentra) with a VIN#[xxx]. I purchased this as a used vehicle and so it is not unreasonable to expect that the wipers could have failed through normal wear and tear. However, I would like a better explanation as to why the recall doesn't apply when by all indications on nissan's own web site it appears to apply. *jb updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Visibility · TX

While driving the windshield wiper on the driver side quit working. Recall 98v093000 was issued, but this vehicle wa snot included due to VIN.

Filed Nov 16, 2003 · Visibility · MA

My nissan sentra recently needed to have both windshield wiper linkages replaced due to the problem with water entering and rusting out the bearings. I new of the safety recall but all the dealer did was add a ridiculous 10 cent strip of foam to the panel above the fallen apart bearings. Both me and my stepfather argued with the dealership and nissan motors but they refused to replace the bearings free of charge. My stepfather ended up buying and replacing them himself but in the meantime I got a $50.00 ticket because during this delay my inspection sticker ran out and I couldn't get a new one until the wipers were fixed.

Questions about the 1997 Nissan Sentra visibility

Does the 1997 Nissan Sentra have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Nissan Sentra, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Sentra visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 122,385 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Nissan Sentra visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V093000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Sentra have the most visibility problems?

The Nissan Sentra model years with the most visibility complaints are 1997 (24 complaints), 1996 (15 complaints) and 1998 (14 complaints).

Other 1997 Nissan Sentra problems

Airbags 33Brakes 15Electrical 10Acceleration 9Engine 7Tires 5Lights 4Steering 4Body 3Fuel system 3Seat belts 3Suspension 3Seats 2Locks 1Transmission 1

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