10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,708 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Nissan Sentra electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 182012

Sentra

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the engine stalled without any warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician detected a trouble code within the ECM. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- New Plymouth, OH, USA

problem #16

Jun 272010

Sentra

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra xe. The contact started the vehicle and the check engine warning light was immediately illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic replaced the sensor. The failure recurred while stopped at a traffic stop. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where she was advised that the foam material used for the interior lining of the electronic control module (ECM) box would need to be replaced. The contact located a recall relative to the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 03V477000-electrical system: Ignition: Module) but was informed by the manufacturer that her VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 83,600.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

problem #15

Oct 012007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 safety recall for faulty electronic control module. 2002 Nissan Sentra had a stalling problem. The consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding a stalling problem. The consumer contacted Nissan and stated he was about to trade the vehicle in due to the stalling issue. The consumer went to the dealership to get the recall taken care of and other work done as requested by Nissan. However a few weeks later, the vehicle began to stall again. The consumer was told to provided proof of the repairs, he would be reimbursed. Nissan denied reimbursement because only reprogramming was covered was covered by the recall, not replacement.

- Ridgefield Park, TN, USA

problem #14

Dec 272007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. Occasionally, the vehicle would not start, but sometimes it would start, shut off, and then fail to restart. The dealer's final diagnosis was that there was computer failure. NHTSA campaign id number 03477000 (electrical system:ignition:module) was referenced. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 93,000 and failure mileage was 92,000.

- North Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #13

Oct 172007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
My vehicle would cut off while driving. I took it to a Nissan dealership to have the recalls R3022 (crank position sensor) and the inside lining of the ECM box removed. Because of the damage done to the ECM box from the lining by ECM box has to be unjustly fixed at my own expense.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #12

Jul 152007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,593 miles
2002 Nissan Sentra with a recall on the electrical system: Ignition module failure customer states that he is entitled to a refund for the cost of replacing the ECM and relay* the consumer stated the engine kept stalling while in operation. The consumer took the vehicle took the dealership, they replaced the alternator, battery, front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors, however 4 days later the engine stalled again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and that was when the ECM and relay was determined as being faulty. The consumer discovered there was a recall on the very same part that had to be replaced on his vehicle.

- Westfield, NJ, USA

problem #11

Jun 222007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,003 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated. Two weeks later, while driving 65 mph, the vehicle completely shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then to the dealer. The dealer performed two repairs under recall # 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module) and recall # 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer performed a diagnostic test and determined that the vehicle's computer failed. The vehicle was then towed back to the contact's residence. The vehicle still does not start. The current and failure mileages were 100,003.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #10

Dec 252006

Sentra

  • Manual transmission
  • 90,061 miles
I purchased my car in Oct 2006. In Dec 2006 I was leaving my brothers and my car would not start. The check engine light had came on earlier in the day. I had the car towed to Nissan at the avenues, after doing a diagnostic test on it they told me the ECM was no good and was covered under recall. The next day the dealership called me back and said Nissan would not pay for the ECM but it would pay for the 3 sensors that were on recall. The reason it would not pay for the ECM is because I bought the car used and it had over 80,000 miles on it. The ECM should have been paid for also it is a $508 part and it was a recall like the sensors.... I have noticed several other consumers having the same problem with this ECM. Th.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 172006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph on normal road conditions the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic who determined the problem was in the electronic computer module (ECM) and recommended the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealership because there was recall # 03V477000. The dealership did not perform the recall repairs prior to the date the vehicle was purchased. The dealership billed the contact for the diagnosis and the ECM reprogramming. The manufacturer was contacted who determined the vehicle was no longer eligible for the recall because the recall was too old, Nov 3, 2003.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 182006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles
02/2003 car stalled and did not restart, called Nissan they admitted there was recall on crank sensor. Car was towed to dealer and also recall on ECM cover, foam ripped out as "quick" fix. Now the engine control module is thumping the computer is bumping when accelerating and stopping; noise is audible inside car. Went to dealer to have part fixed dealer will not fix. Called Nissan (nmac) they consider the recalled part fixed. This is causing damage to computer unit and is dangerous being that the throttle cable is located there. Car has surging idle. Nissan will not fix what they damaged, engine control module is now compromised.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #7

Nov 212005

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Contact stated while driving vehicle stalled. While pushing the vehicle off the road another vehicle hit the contact's vehicle from behind. The contact stated there was NHTSA recall campaign 03V477000 but the contact wasn't notified about this recall. The contact and passenger sustained injuries.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 212005

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
I drive 2002 Nissan Sentra. I have been driving Nissan Sentra without knowing recall on Sentra equipped with qr25de engines. A couple weeks ago, my car suddenly stopped on the freeway. Since then, the engine frequently stopped without any warning. I took my car to local auto repair shop and was informed of recall of Nissan Sentra. I towed my car to Nissan dealer, and ECM case holder and crank sensor were replaced according to recall instructions by Nissan. Unfortunately, the replacement of these parts did not fix the problem because ECM was already damaged. Recall 03V477000: ECM box lining removal defect: On certain my 2000-2002 passenger vehicles equipped with the qg18de and my 2002-2003 passenger vehicles equipped with qr25de, the foam material used for the interior lining of the electronic control module (ECM) box emits sulfur as it cures. If one of the resistors inside the ECM has a crack on the surface coating, the gas may cause corrosion of the resistor. This could cause the malfunction indicator light to come on, poor drivability (idle instability, poor accelerator), or the engine to stop running vehicle operation, which could result in a crash. I already filed the complaint about ECM damage related to the recall to North America Nissan hq with file# 5082579. Nissan North America hq told me to provide a solid proof that the malfunction of ECM is directly related to recall case #03V477000. However, my car problem exactly falls into the recall description of what would happen if ECM foam was not replaced. This is not an isolated case, rather it can happen to anyone who drives 2002-2003 Nissan Sentra without knowing the recall. But it appears that Nissan North America hq does not take this issue seriously or pretend not to. Nissan must be honest with this problem and take any action to prevent its customers from any crash by replacing ECM as well as other parts.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 072005

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
I have a 2002 Nissan Sentra. This vehicle will stop running in normal freeway driving conditions. Without warning my car stalled in heavy commute traffic. My car is only three years old, and I had a hard time starting it. Once it started, it stalled again only a few miles down the road. I have since found out that there is a recall on the foam surrounding the electronic control module. The recall states that the foam can contaminate the ECM. I took my car in to the dealership and they replaced the foam, but did not replace the ECM. The contaminated ECM is what is making the car stall. The dealer only did the recall work, and did not fix the damage that was done to the ECM. I would like to warn all Sentra owners that they are driving a dangerous car. This car could potentially stall on the freeway or find themselves unable to start the car many miles from home. I did not receive the recall notice and I drove the car not knowing this foam is damaging my ECM. I was under the impression that a Nissan was a very reliable car. I also thought that the Nissan people took care of the customer. That is not the case here. I was made to pay for a new ECM.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 222005

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,104 miles
A recall was issued on the ECM cover. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled while her daughter was driving. The consumer did not receive a recall notification since then the damage was done to the ECM. The dealer only did the recall work and did not the fix the damage that was done because of recall defect. Dealer said they will fix it if the consumer paid for it. Manufacturer said they will contact her within 24 hours. The consumer had to have it towed to dealer and he said her car was out of warranty. Dealer told her today if she pays $50 they will replace the ECM. Recall id#P3163. Caller is paying for rental car. Caller is not alright with paying the $50.

- Evenston, IL, USA

problem #3

Apr 192005

Sentra

  • Manual transmission
  • 87,269 miles
While driving the engine light came on; 10 miles later the vehicle stalled. This occurred because the ECM failed. The dealership charge the consumer to perform the ECM material recall 03V477000 because the ECM failure was not caused by the contamination of the inner lining material, it just shorted out.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #2

Feb 122004

(reported on)

Sentra

  • miles
Recall letter regarding the possibility that the engine may stop running while being driven due to contamination of the engine control module (ECM) by the inner lining material (recall# 03V-455, 03V-477).

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 302004

Sentra

  • miles
I am contacting you with regards to nhsta campaign id number: 03V4777000 for the 2002 Nissan Sentra. The repair proposed by Nissan is not appropriate since the components in question may already be partially affected and removing the foam will not solve the problem for the long term. Also it is very bad practice to open an electronic module at a dealer since a latent defect may be introduced in the sensitive electronics by the servicing in an inappropriate environment. The electronic modules can only be properly remanufactured at a proper electronic facility and then retested for function and quality. The modules should only be replaced at the dealer facility. I am a retired director of engineering for fuel injection systems and I know the proposed procedure by Nissan is unprofessional and can lead to many future vehicle problems with serious crash and injury implications. Please give this problem your urgent attention before a serious incident occurs.

- Wiliamsburg, VA, USA

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