10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,353 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 042020

Sentra

  • 102,000 miles

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

There's something wrong with the cooling system when I recall data refreshed on Nov 04,2020 1unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN Jan 09,2020 manufacturer recall numberpm684 NHTSA recall number20V-008 recall statusrecall incomplete summary takata has determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety may arise in some of the subject non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators due to propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling this car.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #26

Nov 012019

Sentra

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph or stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle shutoff without warning. The contact had an independent mechanic replace the fuel pump, the spark plugs, the fuel filter and the exhaust pipes. A dealer was not contacted. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Sacremento, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 162020

Sentra

  • 10,900 miles
I was made aware recently( March 2020) that the cam sensor in my car is defective. There was a recall on this part in 2004. After contacting the Nissan corporate headquarters, they inform me that their records show the recall remedy was satisfied in 2004. I do not remember bringing the car to the dealership nor does the dealership have any record the recall was satisfied.

- Walden, NY, USA

problem #24

Jun 092017

Sentra

  • 3 miles

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

Car has been turning off a few times when brake had been pushing down.(when the car had been stopping)

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #23

Mar 082017

Sentra

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and independently accelerated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #22

Apr 182016

Sentra

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving 45 mph, the check engine code: P0335 (crank sensor) illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the crank sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #21

Feb 062016

Sentra

  • 185,000 miles

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

My Nissan Sentra decided to stall out in the middle of a very busy intersection. Was able to restart the Nissan after about 15 seconds. Later that day I was unable to start my car. Battery was jumped and the car was running until I turned my headlights on. I had to be towed home. I believe my can sensor and crank sensor need to be replaced and there was a recall for this complaint before.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #20

Oct 142015

Sentra

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving various low speeds, the engine stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was identical to NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Nanut, NY, USA

problem #19

Sep 012015

Sentra

  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly loose power and would not accelerate. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle would not start and was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine). The failure mileage was 149,000.

- Eldorado, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 152015

Sentra

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving highway speeds, the vehicle lost acceleration and stalled. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway and checked the oil level. The oil was approximately two quarts low. After twenty minutes, the vehicle started again and the failure recurred the contact had to call a tow truck to bring the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The diagnosis was that the pre-catalyst was damaged and clogged and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) a few years back. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #17

Jan 152014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving at 5 mph, the engine stalled and the brake pedal failed to respond when depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 7/21/15 updated 10/17/2017

- Saddle Brook, NJ, USA

problem #16

Oct 112011

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 62,955 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving 40 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the 02 sensor needed to be replaced. The repairs were made, but the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,955. Updated 3/18/15 updated 9/8/2017

- Rocklegde, FL, USA

problem #15

Jan 132013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I currently own a 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R spec V and it is old but has been taken good care of and it only has 110,000 miles on it. Vehicle problems smoke black really bad, uses up to 5 quarts between oil changes, idles rough, runs rough. It has had a couple recalls I checked up on like the pre cat header it had been replaced in 03. I replaced coil packs, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, cam sensor, and crank sensor. All this virtually did nothing and with vehicle oil consumption and fuel usage the engine is shot and will be in need of rebuild or replacement. I have read many reviews of others with the same car and have had the same and worse problems, and it just makes no sense how Nissan can screw up that bad and screw that many people out of money because of manufacturing defects. I also called Nissan and told them the problem and they basically said to bad nothing we can do you are on your own. I still own the car and feel like as many of these car owners have experienced the same issues it is obviously something Nissan did wrong and should compensate me and others with this defect.

- Evanston, IN, USA

problem #14

Feb 222013

Sentra

  • 184,686 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle continuously stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the crank shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,686.

- Bloomington , CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 302014

Sentra

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the throttle position sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

- Rogersville , TN, USA

problem #12

Sep 142014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 146,500 miles
While driving up a steady grade the 'service engine soon', battery, and oil lights all came on simultaneously. A few seconds later, or possibly at the same time, the engine stalled and all forward power was lost without prior warning (except for the warning lights a couple of seconds earlier). I steered to the shoulder of the road using the existing momentum. The temperature gauge had been normal up until the incident but showed an overheated engine after turning off the car and turning electricity back on (the engine would not start at this time).

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #11

May 022005

Sentra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 138,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #10

Apr 092014

Sentra

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer but was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07V527000(engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Freeman, MO, USA

problem #9

Mar 012014

Sentra

  • 119,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine. The contact noticed the vehicle was smoking and oil was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who advised that the pre-catalytic converter and the engine would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,500.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #8

Dec 182013

Sentra

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming oil excessively and he could he hear a loud knocking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the catalytic converter had allowed debris to enter the pistons and as a result, the engine would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 121,000.

- Ashville, NC, USA

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