Complaints
76
Crashes
21
Fires
3
Injuries
20
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Nissan Sentra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:136,068 mi
Crash-related:11
#26 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:89,000 mi
#35 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
Avg mileage:97,420 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Nissan Sentra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 | 11 | — | 136,068 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | — | — | 89,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 5 | — | — | 97,420 mi | |
| Airbags | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
12
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,068
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,000
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,420
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Sentra Years
1998 Nissan Sentra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Nissan Sentra has 76 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (12 complaints, avg 136,068 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (6 complaints, avg 89,000 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages (5 complaints, avg 97,420 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Nissan Sentra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 115,388 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Nissan Sentra include 21 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Nissan Sentra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Nissan Sentra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Nissan Sentra
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