Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 Nissan Sentra: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Nissan Sentra, most recently filed May 1995. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Nissan Sentra. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 Nissan Sentra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 95V103002 Filed May 24, 1995

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported2,730,462 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V103002
Listed for 1991 Nissan Sentra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V022000 Filed Feb 8, 1991

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS

Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
Summary
IMPROPER BELT GUIDE PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELTS NEAR THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence
THE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING CAN CAUSEIMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE BELT, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO INADEQUATE PROTECTION OFSEAT OCCUPANT DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, AND COULD RESULT IN INCREASEDRISK OF INJURY.
Remedy
MODIFY THE SAFETY BELT GUIDES TO PREVENT FRAYING; AND OR REPLACE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IF FRAYING IS PRESENT.
Repair progress not yet reported165,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V022000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (63)

63 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

8involved a crash
10involved a fire
6injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Nissan Sentra, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 63.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other Sentra years

Best and worst Sentra years →
1987198819891990199119921993199419951996
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
25
city
35
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
306 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 Nissan Sentra configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29$2,300306
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28$2,400317
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500329
1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26$2,600342
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 Sentra for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sentra years

Where to next

1991 Nissan Sentra FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Nissan Sentra have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 95V103002 (seat belt), 91V022000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Nissan Sentra problems?

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (19), Fuel system (10), Power train (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Nissan Sentra get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 25 city, 35 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 Sentra compare with other years?

Among the 1987–1996 Nissan Sentra model years at least five years old, the 1987 drew the fewest complaints (36) and the 1996 the most (141). The 1991 drew 63. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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