1996 Nissan Sentra Electrical Problems
11 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (11)
Your car may suddenly lose all electrical power while driving, including the engine, power brakes, and power steering — this happens because a connector (E104) on the wiring harness behind the fuse panel has a loose or corroded connection that cuts power intermittently, especially in hot weather. You might temporarily restore power by jiggling the connector. Additionally, a similar loose connection on the same wiring harness can cause your dashboard and interior lights to fail while driving at night, making it impossible to see your speedometer. The fix will likely involve inspecting, cleaning, or replacing the faulty electrical connectors on the wiring harness.
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Your car has lost all electrical power while driving on two separate occasions, causing the engine to shut off and disabling power steering and power brakes. Additionally, the car sometimes fails to start entirely. The issue appears to be caused by an intermittent electrical circuit that's not making consistent contact.
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Your car's distributor—the part that controls the ignition system—has failed 4 times while you've owned the vehicle, preventing the car from starting. Because the distributor is part of the firing system, repeated failures could pose a fire hazard. The distributor will need to be replaced or repaired to restore reliable starting and address the potential safety risk.
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Your odometer isn't working properly, which means you can't accurately track your vehicle's mileage. This can be a safety concern since you won't know when routine maintenance is due, and it may also affect the car's resale value. Fixing this typically involves repairing or replacing the odometer gauge cluster.
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THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN TAIL LIGHTS. CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND NOTICED DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS HAD STOPPED WORKING. *AK
THE COMPLETE DASH LIGHT GOES OUT -- SOMETIMES BLINKING ON AND OFF... MOSTLY OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT FOR THE DRIVER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A DISTRACTION WITH THE BLINKING LIGHT, TEMPORARILY DISTORING VISION. IT HAS ALMOST THE SAME EFFECT AS A STROBE LIGHT! NISSAN MECHANICS SAID NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO PAY FOR FIX. TOTALLY UNFAIR AND UNSAFE FOR CONSUMER. PLEASE MAKE NISSAN ACCOUNTABLE -- ISSUE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. IT MAY SAVE A LIFE (OR MORE).
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES BEFORE. THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED.AK
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DIED, PUT IN PARK AND TRIED TO START, CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER, THE ENTIRE DISTRIBUTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED, THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM NISSAN. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
ALTERNATOR FAILED TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE.
HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. *AK