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1995 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Sentra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Nissan Sentra is a passenger car fitted with an automatic 4-speed transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg, while its engine calls for 3.5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API SM oil. Across the Sentra’s tracked complaint history from 1990 through 2026, volumes range from a low of 8 in 2026 to a high of 638 in 2013, placing this model year’s 149 owner complaints and 7 recalls in a relatively moderate position within the long-term record. Air bags register as the top complaint area, so researchers should treat the 1995 Sentra as a comparatively quieter entry in the model’s reliability timeline rather than a standout problem year.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 1995

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

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · 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 1520855Y0A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP155-80R13OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520855Y0A
Engine air filter	165460Z000
Fuel filter	1640041B1A
Spark plug	2240150Y04 alt 2240150Y07
Front wiper blades	288909E000 discontinued · alt 288908B700
Serpentine belt	119500M200 alt 119204B000
Thermostat	2120077A60 alt 2120077A63

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	170.5 in
Overall width	65.7 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	95.7 in
Curb weight	2324 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.1 / 56.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 31 / 26 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	83 cu ft
Cargo volume	12 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

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.

8.5–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 1995 GXE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	GXE 1.6L I-4	8.50 sec	16.70 sec	115 hp	FWD
1995	GXE 1.6L I-4	9.60 sec	17.30 sec	115 hp	FWD

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. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 Pints
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	2.3 Pints

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 69-76 ft-lbs, MT: 61-39 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	19-21 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	34-38 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

72-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Gap	0.031-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	8 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.30-1.55 lbs
Oil Type	NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity	6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24F CANADA
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	550 CANADA cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	11-14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	170 °F
Engine Compression	199-171 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	50-64 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	0.008-0.019 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.012-0.023 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	23-30 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	44 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.059 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Tighten all bolts finger tight, Step 2

7–9 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35-40

12 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	Bolts 1-10	22 ft. lbs
2	Bolts 1-10	43 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts completely.
4	Bolts 1-10	22 ft. lbs
5	Bolts 1-10	50–55 degrees
6	Bolts 11-15	56–74 in

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 30,000 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 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory 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 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

From 1990 to 1994 complaints rose steadily from 41 to 131, reaching 149 in the 1995 model year before climbing to 162 in 1996. Recalls were absent in 1992‑1994, jumped to seven in 1995 and stayed at that level through 1997 before declining. In 1995 the leading complaint categories were Air Bags (48), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (25), Visibility (13) and Engine & Engine Cooling (10), accompanied by 34 crash‑related and four fire‑related complaints. Compared with later years, 1995’s complaint and recall totals are modest—well below the 2002 peak of 333 complaints and 14 recalls—but higher than the early‑generation lows of 1990‑1994. Consequently, the 1995 Sentra presents an intermediate risk profile: it is worse than the earliest models but better than the worst years, making it an average‑risk choice provided the vehicle’s overall condition is sound.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

149

Owner complaints

34 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94’95’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags48

Service Brakes, Hydraulic25

Visibility13

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Electrical System7

Fuel System, Gasoline6

Power Train5

Vehicle Speed Control5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB08-097L	2023-09-21	Steering	DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-049	2023-06-16	Electrical System	12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-053	2023-06-16	Electrical System	SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F	2023-04-27	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C	2023-04-17	Electrical System	INTELLIGENT 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.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 3.5 qt Engine oil filter 1520855Y0A Engine air filter 165460Z000 Fuel filter 1640041B1A Spark plug 2240150Y04

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 Sentra take?

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

Does the 1995 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sentra get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.