1996 Nissan Sentra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Nissan Sentra: 3 recalls, 141 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V008000 · 1998 · 65,000 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Following vehicles May not be aware that the vehicle in front is stopping, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #98V093000 · 1998 · 512,387 vehicles
What's wrong: Water can enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V063000 · 2000 · 14,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The front coil springs May not have sufficient corrosion resistance in areas of the country where significant amounts of de-icing salts are applied to roads in the winter.
Why it matters: If a broken spring comes out of the lower seat, it could contact and puncture the tire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front coil spring.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 33 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (53): the most common themes are fails to deploy (14), warning light on (6).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (14): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), fire / smoke (3).
The 1996 Nissan Sentra has 141 owner complaints, ranking #20 of 37 Sentra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 158). Complaints peaked in 1997 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 66,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (117 complaints, 3 recalls), 1997 (108 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Nissan Sentra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Nissan Sentra, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Nissan Sentra problems?
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (53), visibility (wipers, glass) (14), transmission & drivetrain (11).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Nissan Sentra get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Nissan Sentra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.