Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Nissan Sentra, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 18 | 25% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 17% |
| Power train | 8 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 7% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
FUEL SYSTEM HOSES MAY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY, LEADING TO LIQUID FUEL (GASOLINE) LEAKAGE, AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK. THE CLUTCH APPEARED LOOSE AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DET
NHTSA complaint: Power train
A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE IN MY 1991 SENTRA. QUICK ACTION I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE CAR FROM AN ENTIRE LOSS WHICH CLEARLY POINTS TO WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TO EVEN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1.)ON 11/20/2004, I "RICARDO GUERRERO" DROVE MY CAR (1991 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R) TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP KHOA AUTO SERVICE, TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. I ALSO REQUESTED THE "FRONT RIGHT" ROTOR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
BAD PRODUCT(PRIMER AND PAINT ) FOR THE WHOLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAINTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SOME PARTS"FENDERS,TRUNK HAVE BEEN PAINTED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES)!! THE CAR WAS PAINTED ALL TIMES EXCEPT FOR THIS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT LOCK UP, LAP BELT WORKS AS IT SHOULD. BOTH SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER STATES AS HE WAS GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HIS LEFT ACHILLES TENDON STRUCK THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT THAT CONTROLS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT FROM FRONT TO BACK, CONSUMERS MOBILITY WAS HAMPERED FOR SEVERAL MO
NHTSA complaint: Seats
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ANALYSIS WAS PERFORMED BY CHP-CENTRAL DIVISION MAIT. THE ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE RESTRAINT FAILED AT THE LATCH PLATE CONNECTION TO THE MOTORIZED GUIDE PLATE. THIS REPORT IS BEING FILED FOR THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Nissan Sentra. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
IMPROPER BELT GUIDE PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE FRAYING OF THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELTS NEAR THE RETRACTOR.
Risk: 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 I
Fix: MODIFY THE SAFETY BELT GUIDES TO PREVENT FRAYING; AND OR REPLACE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IF FRAYING IS PRESENT.
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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 A
| Reliability | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 18 of them (25%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.