1996 Nissan Sentra/200SX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 69 of 178 complaints (39%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 51 in 1995 to 178 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,600 | 2,150–2,700 | 2,150–2,700 | 2,150–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–29 | 23–29 | 23–29 | 23–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–26 / 29–36 | 21–26 / 28–36 | 21–25 / 28–35 | 20–25 / 27–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–370 | 306–386 | 306–386 | 306–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 51 | 178 | 124 | 76 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 46 | 27 | 18 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 37 | 28 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan Sentra/200SX have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Nissan Sentra/200SX?
Airbags & Restraints: 69 of 178 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Nissan Sentra/200SX get?
EPA rates it 23–29 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Nissan Sentra/200SX?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 19 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 69 | 34 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS · Campaign 00V063000 · Mar 10, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CORROSION RESISTANCE IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF DE-ICING SALTS ARE APPLIED TO ROADS IN THE WINTER.
Consequence: IF A BROKEN SPRING COMES OUT OF THE LOWER SEAT, IT COULD CONTACT AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRING.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES · Campaign 98V093000 · May 6, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.
Remedy: TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · Campaign 98V008000 · Jan 26, 1998
Defect: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO NEW LIGHT BULBS FOR THE STOP/TAIL LAMPS WHICH ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BULBS. A LABEL WITH THE NEW BULB NUMBER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR INSERTION INTO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALERS CAN INSTALL THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THEM.