NissanSentra1993Overview/nissan/sentra/1993/base/

1993 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Sentra.

The 1993 Nissan Sentra sits on Nissan’s B platform, a front‑wheel‑drive compact that pairs a modest inline‑four engine with a 3.5‑quart oil capacity and a 10W‑30/5W‑30 API SM viscosity specification. Its service life is marked by a relatively low total of 81 owner complaints, with brake and hydraulic issues topping the list, yet the model enjoyed no recalls that year, underscoring a clean safety record. In the broader context of the Sentra’s reliability history from 1990 to 2026, the 1993 model’s complaint volume is modest compared to the peak of 638 in 2013 and the minimal 8 in 2026, positioning it as a dependable mid‑generational entry in the brand’s long‑term performance narrative.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 API SMOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.9 in
Overall width64.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase95.7 in
Curb weight2235 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 1993 SE-R Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1993SE-R Coupe 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.80 sec140 hpFWD
1992E Coupe 1.6L I-48.40 sec16.70 sec110 hpFWD
1991SE-R Coupe 2.0L I-47.40 sec15.80 sec140 hpFWD
1991SE-R Coupe 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API SM engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1993 model year represents the final calm before a significant escalation in the Sentra's federal complaint record, posting 81 complaints and zero recalls compared to the surge that follows. While 1993 edges slightly above 1992's 78 complaints and maintains the same zero-recall status, it immediately precedes 1994's jump to 131 complaints and the subsequent 1995-1996 period that brought 7 recalls annually alongside complaint volumes exceeding 149. With 28 technical service bulletins—down from 35 in 1992—and a single investigation, the 1993 model sits at the low point of the generation's reliability arc before systemic issues apparently emerged in later years. Top complaint categories include Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12), Power Train (11), Engine & Engine Cooling (9), and Seat Belts (7), though the data does not specify root causes; notably, the year records 10 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints. Given its position immediately preceding the 1994-1996 spike in both complaints and recalls, the 1993 Sentra offers the most favorable risk profile of its generation, making it a relatively sound choice for a used purchase provided thorough pre-purchase inspection of the brake hydraulic and powertrain systems.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
81
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 81 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Power Train11
Engine & Engine Cooling9
Seat Belts7
Electrical System7
Air Bags6
Suspension5
Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 28 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 Sentra take?

3.5 qt of 10W-30 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.