The 1996 Nissan Sentra is a small car that came with a choice of 1.6L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl engines. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 21–26 city / 28–36 highway / 23–29 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,300–$2,900 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 306–386 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1996 Nissan Sentra. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
Risk: If a broken spring comes out of the lower seat, it could contact and puncture the tire.
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.
Risk: 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 se
These vehicles do not meet the illumination requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Following vehicles may not be aware that the vehicle in front is stopping, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Owners have filed 178 complaints about the 1996 Nissan Sentra with NHTSA. 46 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 37 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 44 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Nissan Sentra. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous version
12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connectio
SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior elect
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions o
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1996 Nissan Sentra.
Corrision fatigue of front coil springs
Nissan is conducting a safety recall in canada of 11,100 1994 through 1996 Sentra 2 door models in which the front coil springs are fracturing from corrosion fatigue.Nissan reported that the failures occur from a loss of the protective paint coating on the springs and exposure to heavy road salt.corrosion can cause pit
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Sentras that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Nissan Sentra; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.