Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Nissan Sentra, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | 15% |
| Power train | 11 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 7% |
| Suspension | 5 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Tires | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS THAT IS COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY NOW TO FIX. FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, REASON UNKNOWN. DRIVEN BY OLD LADY. BECAUSE IT CRACKED, IT CAUSED WATER TO BE ABLE TO SEEP IN, CAUSING THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE SHIFTER MOVED TO NEUTRAL. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AFTER ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE CUP HOLDER IS OCCUPIED; THE CUP WOULD REST AGAINST THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTAC
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE. WHENEVER HE FILLS UP THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD LEAK FROM THE FILLER TUBE CONNECTION TANK.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MANUAL FIVE SPEED TRANSMISSION; FIFTH GEAR (SHIFTER STICK) CONTINUOUSLY POPS-OUT. FIFTH GEAR INOPERABLE. THIS SITUATION IS ALL TOO COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN CORPORATION SHOULD FINALLY TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
UNIROYAL TIGER PAW TOURING TR TIRE 185/60/14. THE TIRE IS STARTING TO DEVELOP SPLITS 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW THE TOP OFF THE TIRE ON THE SIDEWALL.THERE ARE SPLITS 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES IN JANUARY 2003. CUR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND DISCOVERED THAT TIRE TREAD PEELED DOWN TO THE WHEEL. THE METAL ON THE WHEEL WAS VISIBLE. VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
RT. FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNTIL I READ, ON THIS WEBSITE, THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | 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 81 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 12 of them (15%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 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 70/100. 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.