The 1997 Nissan Sentra has 4 recalls, the most serious involving rear door panels missing a structural foam pad that helps absorb side-impact energy, leaving occupants with less protection in a crash.
On the visibility side, water can wash out the grease in the wiper linkage ball joint, causing gradual wear that eventually allows the wiper assembly to separate from the motor linkage and stop the wipers mid-use. The taillights on certain vehicles also fail to meet federal brightness standards, meaning drivers following behind may not see the brake lights clearly enough to react in time. The fourth recall applies only to vehicles not equipped with airbags: the eighth digit of the VIN is incorrectly stamped, causing the vehicle identification number to indicate dual airbags are present when they are not.