1997 Nissan Sentra electrical system problems
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1997 Nissan Sentra — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My starter in my 1997 nissan sentra is always messing up!! I have had to replace it four times within one year. I thought it was the battery, so I even replaced that. But at the end, it is always the starter that fails. I put the key in, turn it to start, and the car just hisses. This is the fourth…”
filed Jan 23, 2004
“The wiring under the window controls in the driver door started to smolder and burst into flames within seconds. Part of the plastic door panel melted. It took two watering cans of water to put out the fire. Nissan has refused to take any responsibility, but I see on your website that a similar…”
filed Jun 29, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or…
NTB23-053 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These…
NTB23-049 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB13-107F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB16-003C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 2023RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB20-016F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 3, 2023
Electrical System problems in other Sentra years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sentra | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 Sentra | 7 | 22% |
| 2022 Sentra | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 Sentra | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 Sentra | 44 | 22% |
| 2019 Sentra | 64 | 29% |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 Sentra | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 Sentra | 44 | 16% |
| 2015 Sentra | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 Sentra | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 Sentra | 43 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Nissan Sentra
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.