1986 Nissan Sentra problems

General information about Nissan-Sentra
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Nissan Sentra is a series of automobiles manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 1982. Since 1999, the Sentra has been categorized as a compact car, while previously it occupied the subcompact class. Until 2006, Sentra was a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny, but since the 2013 model year, Sentra is a rebadged export version of the Sylphy. The Sentra nameplate is not used in Japan. Many other countries in Latin America sell their versions of the Sunny as the Sentra. In Mexico, the first three generations of the Sentra were known as the Nissan Tsuru (Japanese for crane), and the B13 model was sold under that name until 2017, alongside the updated models badged as Sentra.

In North America, the Sentra currently serves as Nissan's compact car, despite being rated as a mid-size car by the EPA due to its interior volume since the 2007 model year. While previous Sentras were subcompacts, the Sentra has grown over the years, with the Nissan Versa having replaced the Sentra in the entry-level area.

The Sentra name was created for Nissan by Ira Bachrach of NameLab, and Bachrach describes the origin as "Nissan wanted consumers to understand that it was quite safe even though it was small. The word Sentra sounds like central as well as sentry, which evokes images of safety."

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Common 1986 Nissan Sentra problems

Common Problems with the Nissan Sentra 1986

Heat Cracks in Flywheel

Heat cracks in a flywheel are common in standard transmission vehicles, including the 1986 Nissan Sentra. These cracks are typically not a cause for concern unless they become too deep. If you notice that your Sentra's engine is running rough or one cylinder is lighting up slower than the others, it may be due to a damaged injector or fuel system issues.

Engine Problems

The 1986 Nissan Sentra has been reported to have engine problems, specifically carburetor issues. Carburetor problems can lead to various engine issues, such as rough idling, stalling, and difficulty starting. If your Sentra's engine is experiencing these symptoms, it is essential to have the carburetor checked and repaired by a professional.

High Idle and Running Issues

If you have recently purchased a 1986 Nissan Sentra with a 1.6L engine, carburetor, and automatic transmission, you may notice that the idle is set high and the engine runs rough. This issue can be caused by various factors, such as a dirty or malfunctioning carburetor, vacuum leaks, or faulty ignition components. It is crucial to have a professional diagnose and repair the issue to ensure the engine runs smoothly and efficiently.

Drivetrain Problems

Drivetrain problems, such as grinding, shaking, and slipping, are common issues in the 1986 Nissan Sentra. These problems can be caused by various factors, such as worn or damaged drivetrain components, low transmission fluid levels, or worn clutch plates. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to have the drivetrain inspected and repaired by a professional to prevent further damage and ensure safe driving.

Fuel System Issues

Fuel system issues, such as a faulty fuel pump or clogged fuel filter, can prevent the 1986 Nissan Sentra from starting or cause it to run poorly. If your Sentra will not crank over or is experiencing starting issues, it is essential to check the fuel pump fuse and fuel lines for any damage or issues. If the fuel pump fuse is good and the fuel lines seem to be in good condition, it may be necessary to replace the fuel pump or fuel filter to ensure the engine receives the necessary fuel to run correctly.

In conclusion, the 1986 Nissan Sentra has several common problems that owners may encounter, including heat cracks in the flywheel, engine problems, high idle and running issues, drivetrain problems, and fuel system issues. It is essential to have these issues diagnosed and repaired by a professional to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the vehicle. Regular maintenance and inspections can also help prevent these issues from occurring and prolong the life of the vehicle.

Are older Nissan Sentras good cars?

Despite being two decades old, the first five from the fifth-gen Sentra models are widely considered reliable. For instance, the 2000 model year only had 240+ NHTSA complaints, but with a staggering seven recalls – and one that involves the “service engine soon” warning light that affected more than 600k vehicles.

What years did Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?

For Nissan Sentras released between 2012 and 2015, transmission failure is the number one problem. The 2013 and 2014 models are the worst Sentras manufactured today, with over a hundred complaints each.

Is A Nissan Sentra a reliable car?

The Nissan Sentra Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 14th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $491 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Sentra.

How much horsepower does a 1986 Nissan Sentra have?

1986 Nissan Sentra Specs and Features Change Car

Nissan Sentra offers 69 horsepower with the 5-Speed Manual transmission.

1986 Nissan Sentra car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Sentra problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Seat belts problems
Steering problems
Structure problems
Fuel system problems
Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Nissan Sentra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1986 Nissan Sentra complaints

The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Nissan Sentra.

2000-04-05

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-03-03
VIN: JN8HMO5Y5GX
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: CRACKS ON INNER SIDE OF CHANNEL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, WHERE FRAME GOES OVER WHEEL, CAUSING PULLING TO THE RIGHT DURING ACCELERATION, AND SERVERE TURNING WHILE MAKING TURNS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

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2000-02-15

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1998-02-15
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: WHEN CAR GOES ABOUT 30 MILES CAR WILL START TO SPIT, AND CHOKE LIKE ITS OUT OF GAS. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BAD COIL, AND THEY REPLACED IT. BUT PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A DISTRIBUTOR. *AK

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1999-02-12

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TRANSMISSION LEAKS FLUID.

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1999-02-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: CRACKED GASKET.

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1998-03-09

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Number Of Injuries: 1
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO LOCK DURING CRASH.

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1995-02-23

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1994-12-01
VIN: 1N4PB12S3GC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: PASSENGER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. TT

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1995-01-09

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-01-07
VIN: JN1PB15SAGU
Components: STEERING
Summary: OWNER NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING. 4 BOLT MOUNTS THAT HOLD RACK AND PINION STEERING/MAIN GEAR BOX WERE UNSCREWED 3/8 OF AN INCH.

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1995-01-09

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-01-07
VIN: JN1PB15SAGU
Components: STEERING
Summary: OWNER NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING. FOUR BOLT MOUNTS THAT HOLD RACK AND PINION/MAIN GEAR BOX ARE UNSCREWING. TT

Add Complaint

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1986 Nissan Sentra problems:

1986 Nissan Sentra Reviews - Carsurvey.org

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/nissan/sentra/1986/

Sep 25, 2009 ... Faults: Dashboard is falling apart. New clutch at 175000 miles. Hatch will not open. Will not start in sub zero temperatures. New CV boot on ...

Q&A: 1992 Nissan Sentra - Common Issues & Troubleshooting

https://www.justanswer.com/nissan/6qeab-nissan-datsun-sentra-se-recently-bought-1992-nissan-sentra.html

May 31, 2012 ... Customer: Estimate parts cost? ddamato1986 : Spark plugs and wires $40 at most, Fuel filter 10-30. ddamato1986 :.

Headlight problem - Infamous Nissan - Hardbody / Frontier Forums

http://www.infamousnissan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32105

Aug 3, 2014 ... Vehicle: 1986x cab 2wd. Thanks: 1. Thanked 1 ... Any common problems with these. ... (formerly owned: 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd, 90 Nissan ...