Most common 1998 Nissan Sentra problems
Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Sentra complaints by model year
Best Sentra years: 2023, 2024. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2016. Compare all years →
1998 Nissan Sentra recalls (1)
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.
What 1998 Nissan Sentra owners say
Air bags
I was rear ended by a Mercury minivan (estimated speed 30 MPH) and pushed into a Dodge minivan. The front bumper got cracked in half, the radiator and battery were also displaced. The trunk was damaged, the rear bumper was almost torn off and the rear drivers side panel shows dents beyond the gas cap. I am being told that because I was rear impacted, and pushed into a vehicle with a higher bumper than my own the air bags May not have been supposed to deploy. A rear impact still throws you forward, and the number of suvs and Mini vans on the road makes this seem like a major hazard. Pictures of my car after the accident can be provided upon request.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 40 MPH with another vehicle and neither frontal air bag deployed. Driver sustained minor injuries to the shoulder and the right arm from the seat belt. Insurance company reported the incident to the dealer and manufacturer.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
I have a 1998 Nissan Sentra and the problems I have with this car is my ignition switch. My key gets stuck in my ignition sometimes and my car doesn't want to start at times. This problem is becoming more and more consistent over the ten years I've had it. I've had problems with my engine multiple times and I've gotten it fixed more than three times.
Nissan has a safety recall for windshield wiper linkage (see NHTSA campaign 98V093000). According to the Nissan web site my vehicle [redacted] is in the range of affected vins. My wipers failed in the exact manner described in the safety recall (wear of the ball joint in the wiper linkage causing the linkage to separate), but Nissan (and the Nissan dealer) refuse to perform the repair work under the recall campaign. They claim that my particular VIN, although in the correct range, is not affected. The failure occurred during a heavy downpour on a busy interstate highway and nearly caused a very serious accident. I think Nissan needs to take a close look at which vins are truly affected by this problem. Updated 07/26/2012
Brakes
Coming to a stop in a l turn lane, with foot definitely only on brake, at under 3 MPH. Just as I stopped, brake faded, engine raced, and car surged violently forward, simultaneously. I barely controlled this surge with extreme brake pressure. Event lasted approximately 5 seconds. It did not trip a trouble code, or recur. Approximately 255,000 miles on chassis. No damage, but risk of it very high. Mcgregor, texas, turning l off of us 84 eastbound onto tx 317 northbound. Driver is retired but very accomplished engineer, with 3 engineering degrees, and decades of wide-ranging experience. This had absolutely nothing to do with pushing the wrong pedal. I know exactly where my foot was.
Windshield linkage were defective, and windshield wipers did not work. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and this vehicle was not included in recall.98V093000. The consumer had the link assembly replaced. The brakes felt spongy and the left front seat did not move properly on track.
1998 Nissan Sentra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Nissan Sentra a good car?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Sentra rates better than average: 59% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sentra at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Nissan Sentra?
The air bags — 15 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (13) and brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Sentra have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Nissan Sentra, the most recent from May 5, 1998 (linkages). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Sentra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2016. See the full Nissan Sentra years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Nissan Sentra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 103,000 miles; 11% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.