10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,811 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 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

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 #26

Apr 282007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R. the contact stated that her vehicle is experiencing pre-catalytic failure. One of the converters separated and went into the motor, causing high oil consumption and engine viruses. The current mileage is 102,000 and failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 02/01/08.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #25

Mar 092006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,800 miles
Vehicle(2002 Nissan Sentra gxe) becomes rough and the engine stop intermittently while driving the vehicle. Taken the vehicle to the dealership, the ECM (engine control module) was detected to be bad. It was replaced at a cost of $95. The vehicle odometer was showing about 47,000 miles. Talked to the Nissan manufacturer and I was told that all recalls were already done on this vehicle on March 24th, 2004 at stevens creek Nissan. This included rectifying the defects related to ECM. However the ECM became bad again. There may be defects which have not come to the review. Please help to identify the defects and make the vehicle safe on the road.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #24

Jan 222007

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,758 miles

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

- the contact was driving the 2002 Nissan Sentra at a speed of 50 mph exiting the freeway when the engine suddenly lost power without any prior warning. The contact had the vehicle towed into the dealership in reno, nv. The dealership is currently working on the vehicle. The contact felt that vehicle had the same failure as mentined NHTSA recall campaign id number : 03V455000 concerning engine and engine cooling.

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #23

Oct 062006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. Afterwards, the engine was easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V242000, regarding the engine. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was not alerted.

- Maple Shade, NJ, USA

problem #22

Jul 022006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 44,900 miles
While both driving on the highway and in stop and go traffic, car shuts off entirely. Sometimes not starting again. Have had car towed to mechanic and mass air flow sensor replaced and on a different occasion the cam sensor reset. Problem still occurs. Never received a single recall notice; warranty period has expired.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #21

Jun 122006

Sentra

  • miles

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

At 6:30 am, I was driving, trying to defrost the windows with the defroster at a light and the car started a jerking motion and overheated. I parked the car at family member's residence. I took the car to the dealer and was told that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the replacement was covered under the warranty. Nissan needed to be contacted and they were. My case was in the warranty department for 3.5 weeks, mean while I was without transportation I wasn't approved to have a vehicle supplied by Nissan. Nissan made a decision not to replace the engine in my 4 year old car that received regular maintenance; but to replace the cylinder head gaskets (which from what I am told is a temporary fix). This is because I am at 58,000 miles and my warranty is up at 60,000 miles. Beware of Nissan and their warranties.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #20

Jun 202006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 123,000 miles
Early March, I noticed on consumer reports website that there were recalls associated with my 2002 Nissan Sentra. Engine sensors. Nissan did not send me a recall notice even though they had my name and address. I registered the car when I bought it used. March 16 2006 my Nissan had 115754 kms on it when I took it into Nissan victoria for the recalls. They replaced the crankshaft/camshaft position sensors (3 in total) recall R86. Removed ECM case holder foam R87. June 20, 2006 I was heading to the highway when my engine started racing and jerking, I drove it home. The car died and I had it towed to an automotive shop around the corner from my house. I was so lucky I wasn't going down the highway with lots of traffic! the mechanic came to the conclusion fairly quickly that it might be the computer and he called the Nissan dealership. They told him that they had no problems with the computers. I rented a car in the meantime to get to work. The mechanic got a used computer from the auto wrecker and the car started right up. Apparently the foam on the ECM damaged the computer (some kind of gas-fumes) while it was curing. This is why Nissan removed the foam. Maybe they are trying to avoid another recall like for the sensors...too late... I have since discovered that a lot of people have had the same problem with the ECM. I don't trust the used ECM I have in the car because I don't know anything about it. But I feel that Nissan should either rebuild or give me a new computer. If this happens at 123,000 kms what can I expect further down the road? I have the old computer, not sure what to do with it.

- Cobble Hill, 00, USA

problem #19

Feb 222006

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
When my 2002 Sentra was brought into habberstad Nissan for a routine oil change, I was informed that the oil dip stick was broken and the bottom was stuck in the bottom. I was told by Nissan that the oil pan had to be removed to get it out and that it would cost $290. I have an extended warranty and was also told that this was not covered under the warranty. The service person also mentioned that he has seen this problem on several 2002 Sentra, however Nissan has not acknowledged that this is a problem with the car. I have since seen several complaints regarding this same problem with the 2002 model. If anything, this should be covered under Nissan's warranty and should probably be included as a recall for this problem. Nissan should resolve this problem at no cost to the consumer since there is obviously a problem with the plastic dipstick breaking apart.

- Plainview , NY, USA

problem #18

Aug 052005

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
: the consumer stated while driving, the vehicle vibrated and jumped from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they determined the rack and pinion and power assist system needed to be replaced. The head gaket was leaking, the driver side window was I noperative, the oil stick was broken. Updated 02/24/06.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #17

Aug 032005

(reported on)

Sentra

  • miles

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

2002 Nissan Sentra service engine soon light illuminated and the car stopped running. The consumer experienced the same problem as stated in the recall notice.

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 082004

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
While driving 70 mph vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle restarted, and they continued on driving. Later, vehicle stalled again. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed consumer that the problem was a crankshaft sensor that was on recall. Consumer did not receive a recall notice. However, problem recurred.

- Oak Hills, CA, USA

problem #15

Oct 192004

Sentra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, the vehicle cut off. There was a safety recall on the vehicle, and it was a taken to the closest dealer to get it repaired. After being repaired it was found that vehicle was still shutting off. Customer was charged for repair that was covered under recall notice. After paying for the service the engine light was still on. After four additional trips light finally went off. Electric tape was use to repair harness now car smells like something is burning while driving.

- Canton, MS, USA

problem #14

Nov 102004

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When I went to get my oil changed the mechanic went to pull the dipstick out and since it is plastic and is located next to the manifold it dried out and broke. Now the metal part of the dipstick is stuck in the tube.

- Rochester, PA, USA

problem #13

May 012004

Sentra

  • miles
Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in recall 03V455000. However, consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #12

Mar 252004

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving the engine stopped running and the warning light illuminated. The consumer was informed that the problem was a defective sensor. The engine light would go on and off intermittently with a series of stalling. The consumer found information regarding a recall, however the dealer claimed they knew nothing about a recall.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #11

Aug 112004

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,345 miles
Intermittently while driving at any speed and shifting any gear the vehicle stalled. The dealership inspected the vehicle 10 times on different occasions, and could not duplicate or correct the problem. There were numerous probles with engine stalling, the maf had to be replace numerous times, the check engine and the reverse light did not work properly. (the wiring harness also repeated intermittent problems) the engine would stall when the clutch was depressed and when in neutral idling and when shifting the gears. The front speaker/tweeters made cracking noises. The cooling fan would come on when not activated.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 012002

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle, and took it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced, and replaced it. The mass air flow sensor has been replaced several times but the stalling recurs. The oil pan, rear main seal and front engine seal were leaking oil. The vehicle drive belts also needed to be replaced.

- Sciota, PA, USA

problem #9

Apr 172004

Sentra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,850 miles
When driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Vehicle also intermittently jerk when shifting gears.

- Lackawanna, NY, USA

problem #8

Jun 092004

Sentra

  • miles
Driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled.

- Burr Ridge, IL, USA

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