Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This complaint is regard to the voluntary recall on the '97 Nissan Sentra's wiper seal. When I contacted the dealer and then the 1-800 Nissan customer service line I was told that the recall didn't apply to my vehicle despite the fact that it falls within the range of numbers given on Nissan's own website (clipped from web page - [redacted]to [redacted] (Sentra) with a VIN#[redacted]. I purchased this as a used vehicle and so it is not unreasonable to expect that the wipers could have failed through normal wear and tear. However, I would like a better explanation as to why the recall doesn't apply when by all indications on Nissan's own web site it appears to apply. Updated 07/26/2012
(1) it was a light rain. The wiper is in the lowest setting. Both wipers stopped working. I can hear the wiper motor running but the wipers doesn't operate. (2) as it was no raining hard, I was still able to drive vehicle safely home. I found there is a recall for the windshield wiper/washer:linkages for 1997 Nissan Sentra. (3) contacted Nissan about the problem because I have never receive a recall notice but I am told the recall doesn't applied to my VIN number. I took the vehicle to a Nissan dealership repair shop. They replaced the wiper transmission which consists of the pivot-assy-wipe(r), and 2 link assy-conne(ctor). The old parts are unavailable.
While driving the vehicle experienced windshield wiper failure, affecting visibility and causing a frontal accident. The driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants in this accident. Also the driver and passenger were seatbelted, but the shoulder belt did not lock up, causing the occupant to hit the windshield and sustain injuries. Prior to accident, had problems with the brakes, which had been replaced 4 times, and with the automatic window going off track.et.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated the windshield wipers stopped working on the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the windshield wipers failing. The manufacturer confirmed that NHTSA recall campaign id number: 98V093000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages) for the vehicle was closed. The contact was concerned about the safety issue. The failure mileage was 90,000.
I have a 1997 Nissan Sentra and on a rainy day my windshield wipers quit working without warning. The wiper transmission motor sounds like its working but nothing happens. It has been suggested it is a faulty wiper arm. I found out about recall 98V093000 and called Nissan north America. They informed me there is no open recall on the issue and that my VIN number did not qualify for the recall.
Windshield wipers failed to engage. Husband diagnosed windshield wiper system, power to wiper motor was okay, continued to troubleshoot, found wiper arm control seperated from wiper motor. Seems like the same issue the recall 98V093000 pertained to. Husband lubricated ball joint, and squeezed socket to ball back together. No problems since repair.
Vehicle engine was idling car was in park. Turned on windshield wiper switch I heard a loud knock in the dash console and could hear a mechanism sound as if windshield wipers were moving but the wipers themselves did not move so the result of this is no visibility without windshield wipers working on rainy days. Unable to drive vehicle.
Vehicle was involved in an accident, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bag deployed. Consumer sustained injuries. Windshield wipers failed resulting in accicent in which neither driver nor passenger side air bag deployed. Driver and passenger sustained injuries.
NHTSA recall 98V093000. This vehicle was not included in the wiper motor recall due to VIN although it experienced the same problems that were mentioned in the recall. While driving in snow/sleet the wiper stopped functioning which caused reduced visibility.
My Nissan Sentra recently needed to have both windshield wiper linkages replaced due to the problem with water entering and rusting out the bearings. I new of the safety recall but all the dealer did was add a ridiculous 10 cent strip of foam to the panel above the fallen apart bearings. Both me and my stepfather argued with the dealership and Nissan motors but they refused to replace the bearings free of charge. My stepfather ended up buying and replacing them himself but in the meantime I got a $50.00 ticket because during this delay my inspection sticker ran out and I couldn't get a new one until the wipers were fixed.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
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.
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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Nissan Sentra, 21% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › linkages (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Nissan Sentra window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-093 (linkages, May 5, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Sentra window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 2 deaths to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.