KnownCarProblems2002 Nissan Sentra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Sentra, most often about the engine (50% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2002 Nissan Sentra problems
Engine
153 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2002 Nissan Sentra se-r we own has been giving US a re-occurring problem with both the unified meter that controls the speedometer and affects the ECM to throw up the engine light to come on..causes a massive slow down in speed when the speedometer goes out while driving..brought this to the attention to a local…
Butterfly valve on the 2002 Nissan Sentra the car started to idle very rough while driving on the highway at 70 MPH. The check engine light came on & the engine vibration became worse. The car stalled & I was almost killed trying to get to the side of the road. I was able to restart the car & drive a few more miles to…
Electrical
54 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
Service engine light on. Fault of misfire and interior engine gauge was inop. Vehicle stopped for no reason. Took vehicle to dealer service center for ECM recall they could not perform due to internal failure.
2002 Nissan Sentra se-r we own has been giving US a re-occurring problem with both the unified meter that controls the speedometer and affects the ECM to throw up the engine light to come on..causes a massive slow down in speed when the speedometer goes out while driving..brought this to the attention to a local…
Air bags
30 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Air bag failed to deploy during rear-end high speed impact accident. In addition, the rear windshield glass exploded spraying the interior with small pieces of glass.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the passenger frontal air bag deployed, while the driver was at a complete stop. The contact also stated that NHTSA campaign number: 15v287000 (air bags) was performed in july 28, 2014 however, the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was…
Transmission
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission.
Transmission is difficult to shift into 2nd and 3rd gear. The situation is worse on cold mornings, even after letting the car warm up, as suggested by dealer. At times, after vechicle is moving the gear selector can not be placed in next gear, causing vechicle to roll down street under no power until the gear lever…
Dt: contact stated transmission fell apart at 38,456 miles, and the second one fell apart a t39,007 miles. Contact talked to the dealer, who replaced the transmission . But he said they would only put rebuilt parts into it. Contact would like a new transmission. The first one was put in on 7-1-05. She assumed the…
Speed control
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Dt: without warning the vehicle accelerated. While driving at about 30 MPH the vehicle started accelerating on its own. Caller had to hit the brakes to get it to stop. He pulled off the road, turned it off, and restarted it. Caller says it was a gradual acceleration. Manufacturer told caller about recalls. Dealer was…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra se-r. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced recurring failures when it began to stall or fail to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the throttle body was replaced. Approximately 2 months later, the failure began to recur and the vehicle…
Wheels and tires
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, rim.
: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH on normal road conditions a noise was observed coming from the left front tire. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who replaced the tire. The tire presented tread separation. The warranty of the tire did not identify the mileage covered.
While driving vehicle shook uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. Driver's side and passenger's side tires were replaced due to bubbles located on the outer side of the tires. Dunlop, sp20fe, p185/65r12/85, dot db7jc11. All four tires were original equipment.…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 4%While on a major highway at 4:30pm driving about 60 MPH, the accelerator stuck causing the 2002 Nissan Sentra se-r to accelerate uncontrollably. The floor mat had come loose and jammed the accelerator. I had to shift to and kick the pedal loose. Very nearly caused a major accident. This fault was the subject of an…
I bought a 2002 Nissan Sentra se-r spec-v and in the one year that I had the vehicle, I've had a couple of things replaced due to defective parts. First, I had problems starting the vehicle and it was later determined that it was the fuel pump. Then they had to replace the clutch bearing because of some noise while…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
1) car was parked in driveway while gone for the weekend. Car was driven as recently as the friday prior to the start of the weekend. The car was to be driven for groceries sunday night, however when the car started, gas sprayed from below the car until the tank was empty. Upon exiting the car, the driveway was…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Nissan Sentra recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 22, 2021. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is pm964.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2020. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 maxima, 2002-2006 sentra, 2002-2004 pathfinder, 2007-2011 versa sedan and versa hatchback, 2001-2004 infiniti i30 and i35, 2002-2003 inifiniti qx4, 2003-2008 infiniti fx35 and fx45 and 2006-2010 m35 and m45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on june 15, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: on december 18, 2015 nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 infiniti fx35 and fx45 vehicles.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 nissan maxima, 2002-2004 pathfinder, 2002-2006 sentra, 2002-2003 infiniti qx4 and i35, 2003 fx35 and fx45, and 2001 i30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. Certain my 2006 altimas which have been previously remedied under recall campaign 06v223 (nissan r0606) are not included in this recall since the reprogramming for 06v223 also included this reprogramming. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began december 15, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket may break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface roughness and the shape of the material cut-line.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Electrical: module
Risk: 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 during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove the inside lining material from the ECM box. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the qg18de engine or qr25de engines, the foam material used for the interior lining of the electronic control module (ECM) box emits sulfur as it cures.
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 alt
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If this occurs unexpectedly, it could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver side floor mat and if it is a nissan floor mat subject to this recall, the dealer will replace both the driver and passenger side floor mats. Owner notification began march 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
On some passenger vehicles equipped with a nissan-approved accessory floor mat that was installed either at the assembly plant or by the dealer, due to the length of the driver side floor mat, a small amount of mat movement could cause the mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and not allow the pedal to release after it is depressed.
Lights: headlights
Risk: These caps are installed to prevent misadjustment of the headlamps.
Fix: Dealers will install a tamperproof cap over the horizontal adjustment screw for both headlamps. Owner notification began january 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these vehicles were missing tamperproof caps that prevent horizontal headlamp adjustment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2002 Nissan Sentra
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Sentra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (153 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); electrical (54 complaints, typically around 79,500 miles); air bags (30 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 1, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Nissan Sentra?
- It is 4th of 27 Sentra model years by number of complaints, with 304 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.