2002 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 333 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 23 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleAug 9, 2022
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 22E066000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedDec 1, 2020
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 20V747000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2020
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 20V008000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 15, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V287000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingNov 14, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 07V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingDec 10, 2003
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.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 03V511000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 03V455000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, moduleNov 14, 2003
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 03V477000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeMar 11, 2003
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.
EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Campaign 03V084000 on NHTSA.gov
Other or unspecifiedFeb 15, 2002
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.
IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 02V056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsDec 12, 2001
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.
THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.
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.
Campaign 01V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
333 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER VALVE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE FLUIDS LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE TAIL PIPE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS REPAIR. THE FAILURE IS CURRENTLY WORSE THAN EVER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,981.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2009
2002 NISSAN SENTRA, 73000 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED-- AND HAVE PUMPED OUT LESS THAN 800 MILES BEFORE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME. BASICALLY, THE CAR STALLS OUT, HAS LOW ACCELERATION BEFORE PARKING. HERE'S THE KICKER--- THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY WEEK... BUT NOT EVERYDAY. I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE BFIT A LOCAL CAR UNIVERSITY-- WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR INSIDE AND OUT... THEY NOTED THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE MAST AIR HEAD FOR $600 WHICH I DID. BUT LESS THAN A DAY LATER-- SAME PROBLEM.. THE CAR STALLS OUT. I DECIDED THEN I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING... I NEED A NEW MAST-HEAD! I TOLD THEM I HAVE A NEW MASTHEAD-- AND THEY SAID THEY WILL JUST "CLEAR OUT THE COMPUTER CODES." GUESS WHAT? A WEEK LATER THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN BOSTON TRAFFIC. THE BEAUTY OF THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY IF YOU TURN OFF AND TURN BACK THE MACHINE ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THIS POINT, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AS THEY KEPT IT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 1 AND A HALF WEEKS. BUT I KNOW THE PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.ACTIVETUNING.COM/BLOG2/2006/02/28/NISSAN-ALTIMA-CRANK-SENSOR-RECALL-BEING-REVIEWED/ HELP== A NATIONAL RECALL MUST OCCUR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT BEGAN EXPERIENCING IDLING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $370. THREE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECM WAS FAILING. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 3, 2009
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE DIPSTICK BROKE IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF STANDARD MAINTENANCE OF THE OIL IN THE CAR AND THE BROKEN DIPSTICK FELL IN, RESULTING IN A $250-$300 REPAIR (TO RETRIEVE THE DIPSTICK FROM THE ENGINE AND REPLACE THE DIPSTICK). THE DIPSTICK IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE, AS A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF NISSAN SENTRA OWNER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM, INCLUDING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITER (OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS). THIS DIPSTICK, WITH ITS FLIMSY PLASTIC PART, IS CLEARLY NOT SUITABLE FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A DANGEROUS ENGINE FAILURE. NISSAN IS TRYING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM BY SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE, IN MY CASE, THE DIPSTICK BROKE WHEN IT WAS BEING HANDLED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION, RATHER THAN BY NISSAN SERVICE. THIS RESPONSE IS ABSURD SINCE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EPISODE AND SINCE DIPSTICKS ARE MEANT TO BE USED IN GAS STATIONS AND IN CAR OWNERS' OWN GARAGES AND DRIVEWAYS. NOBODY TAKES THEIR CAR BACK TO THE CAR MANUFACTURER TO CHECK THE OIL. THAT IS LIKE SAYING THAT IF THE GAS TANK IS DEFECTIVE, NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE GAS WAS PUT IN THE CAR AT A GAS STATION INSTEAD OF AT A NISSAN DEALER. APPARENTLY, EVEN JIFFY LUBE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH NISSAN ON THIS FRONT AS WELL. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR US TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR IMMEDIATELY AND AT OUR OWN EXPENSE, SINCE THE BROKEN DIPSTICK IN THE ENGINE WAS OBSTRUCTING THE ENTRY OF A NEW DIPSTICK AND ALSO DISTORTING THE MEASUREMENT OF THE OIL. THUS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW IF THE CAR NEEDED OIL, AND RUNNING THE CAR WITH INSUFFICIENT OIL WOULD HAVE FURTHER DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND AN ACCIDENT. WE HAD THE DIPSTICK REPAIR DONE AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND ARE SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR (BUT, AS STATED ABOVE, NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE US). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 5, 2009
2002 NISSAN SENTRA HAS A STALLING PROBLEM FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL EXISTED FOR THE STALLING HE EXPERIENCED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, HOWEVER A YEAR LATER THE STALLING OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ECM SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED RATHER THAN REPROGRAMMED. RECALL # 07V527000. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2009
RECENTLY THE ECM IN MY 2002 NISSAN SENTRA FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE FOAM THAT COVERS THE ECM. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT THE FOAM TRAPS MOISTURE CAUSING THE ECM TO FRY. NISSAN WOULD NOT COVER THE ECM UNDER THE RECALL IN WHICH I HAD TO PAY $800 FOR THE REPAIR. I FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN FOR SOME KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT AND I WAS DENIED BECAUSE OF THE CAR'S MILEAGE AND BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL AS THOUGH I WAS ROBBED $800 DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET NISSAN WILL NOT STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART. I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $800 I HAD TO SPEND WHICH TECHNICALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED ITS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HAD THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT PASSED EMISSIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO ADD MORE OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE OIL LEAKAGE BECAME A PERSISTENT ISSUE. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PISTON RINGS, HEAD JOB, AND CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 2, 2008
UPON NOTICING AN UNUSUAL SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR I OPENED MY HOOD TO REMOVE THE OIL DIPSTICK ONLY TO FIND THAT THE PLASTIC RING HAD MELTED AWAY FROM THE DIPSTICK. THE DIPSTICK WAS NOW STUCK AND AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE IT BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS SUGGESTIONS, WHICH I FOUND ONLINE IN ORDER TO AVOID A MECHANIC FEE OF MORE THAN $150.00 TO REMOVE IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN SENTRA ACCORDING TO THE MANY BLOGS FOUND ON THE WEB SIMPLY BY TYPING NISSAN BROKEN OIL DIPSTICK. I WAS GIVEN A DEFECTIVE PART, TIME WASTED TRYING TO REMOVE THE DIPSTICK AND HAD TO INCUR THE COST TO REPLACE THE PART, ONLY TO BE GIVEN THE SAME TYPE OF DIPSTICK WITH A PLASTIC HANDLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TEN OCCASIONS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER CONTINUOUS REPAIR, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REVOLUTION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN, MILEAGES, AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2008
NISSAN ALTIMA - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOVEMBER 2006. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR COULD BE BAD AND NOT NECESSARILY THE PART. THEY SHUT THE LIGHT OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OFF AND ON OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR YET PASSED A STATE EMISSIONS TEST. NO OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. NOVEMBER, 2008 VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSIONS TEST - TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATES THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80K MILES - THE CAR HAS 83K MILES. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY DEALERSHIP MECHANIC YET FOR FEAR THE ESTIMATED $1000 REPAIR COULD TURN INTO AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT A MUCH HIGHER COST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2008
MY 2002 NISSAN SENTRA W/ 1.8 ENGINE STARTED DYING AT LOW SPEEDS. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR & A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2.5L ENGINE, BUT NOT FOR MY 1.8L ENGINE. IT COST ME $408 TO FIX. HERE IS THE 2002 NISSAN SENTRA 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. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: 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. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Nov 10, 2008
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND THE DIP STICK PLASTIC TOP BROKE OFF. FORTUNATELY THE MECHANICS MANAGED TO USE SOME GLUE TYPE PRODUCT TO THE SICK AND RETRIEVE IT. THEY HAVE ORDERED A NEW DIP STICK FOR ME AT NO COST, BUT OBVIOUSLY, ON READING YOUR SITE THIS IS A NISSAN PROBLEM AND THE GARAGE THAT CHANGED MY OIL SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL STICK. A RECALL AND DIFFERENT MATERIAL SHOULD BE USED INSTEAD OF PLASTIC WHICH GOES BRITTLE WITH HEAT OF ENGINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2008
HI , I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA SER , THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A QR25DE ENGINE , THE PISTON RINGS CAME DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY , NISSAN DOESN'T ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITY , BUT THEY SELL IMPROVE PISTON RINGS FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE ... ENGINE OIL DISAPPEAR WITH STOCK PISTON RINGS, CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY LEAK .... MACHINE SHOPS KNOW THIS PROBLEM ... CONSEQUENCE OF THIS MATTER IS THAT PEOPLE BRAKES CONNECTING RODS , CYLINDERS HAVE UNEVEN WASTE ... NISSAN ONLY GIVE 60K MILES WARRANTY ON POWER TRAIN , BUT BEFORE THAT I NOTIFY THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM , THEY SAID THAT "WAS CYLINDER HEAD". MY POINT IS THE NEXT: " IF THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STOCK PISTON RINGS WHY THEY SELL IMPROVED PISTON RINGS? " .... THEY KNOW THAT ARE A PROBLEM WITH THE STOCK PISTON RINGS.... THANK YOU *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2008
2ND TIME SINCE OWNING THE CAR THAT MY DIPSTICK HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE OIL TUBE. I NOW MUST EITHER PAY $150 TO GET IT REMOVED OR TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET IT OUT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL TO THOSE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 5, 2008
THE DIPSTICK ON MY NISSAN SENTRA HAD A PLASTIC HEAD. TWICE, THE DIPSTICK HAS BEEN BROKEN BY A SERVICEMAN CHANGING THE OIL. HE SIMPLE PULLS IT OUT AND THE PLASTIC HEAD COMES OFF, LEAVING THE STICK IN THE TUBE. NISSAN CHARGED ME $168 DOLLARS FOUR YEARS AGO TO REPLACE THE TUBE AND DIPSTICK. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE HEAT IS TOO MUCH FOR THE PLASTIC, MAKING IT BRITTLE. BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, AND I'VE READ OF HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER WEBSITES, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR
Structure, Sep 6, 2008
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA AND AT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON MY OIL DIPSTICK BROKE OFF AND THE DIPSTICK IS STUCK DOWN IN THE TUBE. THE DEALER WANTS $350 TO REMOVE IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IT COULD CAUSE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. *TR
Structure, Aug 31, 2008
THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE OIL DIPSTICK IS BROKEN. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR A SOLUTION ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN SENTRA. MINE IS A 2002 SENTRA GXE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 20, 2008
1. CAR OVERHEATED FIRST NIGHT IT WAS BOUGHT NEW ZERO MILES. DEALERSHIP FIXED A STUCK THERMOSTAT. (CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO THE CUSTOMER!) THIS MAY HAVE FOREVER DAMAGED THIS CAR. 2. 59,000 MILES - CAR BLOWS HEAD GASKET. FIXED BY DEALERSHIP. 3. ~60,000 MILES - CAR RUNNING ROUGH BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUG SLEEVE WAS NOT PUT IN CORRECTLY AFTER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP LEADING TO A PRESSURE LEAK IN A CYLINDER. THIS MISS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR BACK TO THE CUSTOMER. FIXED BY DEALERSHIP. 4. ~119,000 MILES - CAR BLOWS SECOND HEAD GASKET. DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN BOTH SAY THEY WONT HELP PAY BECAUSE THE CAR HAS TOO MANY MILES ON IT. 5. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE REPAIRING THE HEAD GASKET AT MY EXPENSE OF 2,000 DOLLARS PLUS I WON'T HAVE A CAR FOR OVER A WEEK. I ASKED IF I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 2,000 DOLLARS IN 60,000 MILES FOR ANOTHER HEAD GASKET BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A POSSIBILITY. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS MODEL NISSAN SENTRA AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. WE EVEN PURCHASED A WARRANTY THAT IS GOOD FOR 100,000 MILES OR TILL 2009, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. WE ARE JUST BARELY OUT OF THAT WARRANTY WHICH WE SPENT EXTRA MONEY ON. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 17, 2008
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 COVERED IN GASOLINE. CAR WAS THEN TURNED OFF. 2) SECOND OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 3 MONTHS PRIOR. 3) AFTER FIRST OCCURRENCE, CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. FAULT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO SMALL ANIMAL CHEWING ON FUEL LINE AND ENTERING GAS TANK (FOUND DEAD IN TANK). FOR SECOND OCCURRENCE, CAR WILL BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME FAILURE THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS RELATED TO THOSE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS SINCE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2008
THE ACCELERATOR FREEZES FREQUENTLY. WHEN IT BECOMES UNSTUCK, THE CAR LURCHES EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH GEAR IT'S IN. I HAVE HAD SOME NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER AUTOS AND STRUCTURES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2008
2002 NISSAN SENTRA WITH ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. HE STATES THAT HE WASN'T EVEN INFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED UNBURNED FUEL IS BURNED IN THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE UNBURNED FUEL WAS BURNED IT CAUSED DISINTEGRATION. IT WAS THEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING CYLINDER WALL DAMAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WHICH COST HIM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. *JB