1999 Nissan Sentra: common problems and reliability

70 owner complaints on record.

Most complaints are about electrical system. 3 recalls.

Should I buy a 1999 Sentra?

The 1999 Nissan Sentra has 70 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags.

Safety record for the 1999 model year

70
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
19
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Nissan Sentra vehicles (US, public record).

How we score it

Is 1999 a good year for the Sentra?

Across the 31 Sentra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2023) to 638 (2013). With 70 complaints, the 1999 Sentra sits below the model's median of 167.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
16
air bags
11
service brakes
8
hydraulic
7
vehicle speed control
7

Recalls affecting the 1999 Sentra

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 09E025000

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.

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E049000

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.

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E026000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by transmission history.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Sentra. See the full Sentra owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Sentra listings typically run $11,385–$18,397.

Other Sentra model years

Compare every Sentra year side by side to see how 1999 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Sentra against its rivals

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