1999 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 59 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who was not able to diagnose the failure. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 03v477000 (electrical system), 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling), and 01v357000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the brake lines were corroded and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan sentra equipped with goodyear viva 2 tires, size 175/65r14 dot number (pj8jh6hr5011). The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, there was a roaring noise coming from the driver front tire. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. While the tires were being rotated, the technician noticed that the inside of both tires were separated. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the tire warranty had to be redeemed at the location from which the tires were purchased. The tires were not exchanged. The failure mileage on the vehicle was 155,432. The failure tire mileage was 300. .... Updated 03/08/13 *bf”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan sentra. The contact stated an excessive amount of fuel would overflow from the fuel tank filler neck whenever refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed and they detected the fuel tank filler neck was completely covered with rust. The manufacturer and dealer stated the part was no longer in production as a result to the vehicle not being repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2011
“The teeth on one of the timing chain sprockets wore down causing bent valves due to timing failure. The head will have to be removed to replace damaged parts or a new/rebuilt engine will have to be installed. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2007
“There is a recall on 2002, 2005-2006 nissan sentras & altimas with the sensor. The car can shut down without warning and engine stall. My car is a 1999 nissan sentra with the same problem and they won't fix it because of the wrong year. Regardless of the year it should be fixed or I should receive some kind of compensation. Luckily when I was driving and my car shut down I wasn't hit from the back. I am looking to file a law suit over this matter because I spent my money on this car buying it brand new and this organization just shoved me off like my problem doesn't matter. I use my car and now I am without a car and catching the bus. It's not fair! It's their car!*cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
“As my wife and I traveled in the state of florida on 5-28-2007, my rear tire came apart causing my vehicle to spin 360 degrees and causing damage to my vehicle due to the incident. Thank god, the traffic surrounding my car was not affected by my spinning. The damage to the car was temporarily secured by the highway road ranger and I was required to drive at very low speed on the highway to reach my destination. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2007
“The fuel filler tank/hose on my father's 1999 nissan sentra must be replaced. However, the part is not available form nissan; it is no longer made and there is no 'after market" item. He tried a 2000 part; it could not be made to fit. We have contacted nissan directly, have talked to dealers, etc. Without this needed repair, the car is basically of no value. It cannot be sold, because it would not pass inspection. Complete frustration. The car itself is great, less than 60,000 miles, no rust, excellent m[g, etc. But what can we do now/ who to complain to/ nissans response seems to be "tough luck" and there is no recourse. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2007
“The plastic headlights on my 1999 nissan are opaque. The light output is diminished at least 40%. The dealer wants $200 for replacement of plastic headlights. I then noticed that many cars that are over 5 years old have the same problem, diminished lighting due to poor plastic headlights. I hope you can get nissan and all other makes involved to replace the plastic headlights for free. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2006
“Car was being parked when sudden acceleration took over and caused the car to crash into a wall. On august 8, two women were injured. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sentra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA has 59 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Nissan Sentra. The most complained-about area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Nissan Sentra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,900 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Nissan Sentra have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.