NissanSentra (SR)1999Overview/nissan/sentra-sr/1999/base/

1999 Nissan Sentra (SR)

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Sentra (SR).

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1999 Nissan Sentra (SR) is a passenger car that calls for 3.6 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil. With 70 total owner complaints logged, the electrical system emerges as the top problem area, and the model year is affected by three recalls. These figures place the 1999 SR in a segment of the Sentra’s reliability history where owners have reported a moderate level of issues, chiefly electrical, suggesting that prospective researchers should weigh these factors when assessing its long‑term dependability.

Model year19991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-70SR13OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E alt 1520855Y0A
Engine air filter165460Z000
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug224011P115 alt 2240127N67
Front wiper blades288908B700 discontinued · alt 288909E000
Serpentine belt1195053J20 alt 119200E001
Thermostat212000C82A alt 2120077A63

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.9 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase100 in
Curb weight2619 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts98-112 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 69-76 ft-lbs, MT: 61-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts19-21 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts27-35 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 675, AT: 800, CANADA MT: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.5-1.0 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.55 lbs
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket23-30 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle44 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts finger tight, Step 27–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35-4012 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1043 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
4Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-1050–55 degrees
6Bolts 11-1556–74 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
258 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
425-33 ft. lbs.25–33 ft. lbs
590 degrees.90 degrees
690 degrees.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45-5024–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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.

Owner complaints about the 1999 Nissan Sentra (SR) top in one area — the electrical system, 11 of 70 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 19 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
46
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 70 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System11
Air Bags6
Vehicle Speed Control6
Tires5
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Visibility5
Power Train4
Fuel System, Gasoline3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 46 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 (SR). 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 1999 Sentra (SR) take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Sentra (SR) have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.