NISSAN SENTRA · model year

2002 NISSAN SENTRA

371 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002NISSANSENTRA carries 371 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 7 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 SENTRA is engine and engine cooling with 67 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (40) and electrical system (30). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 SENTRA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

371
Complaints
19
Crashes
7
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

371 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING67
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
ENGINE27
AIR BAGS24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION9
TIRES:TREAD/BELT8
POWER TRAIN7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM5
TIRES5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE5

Recalls (14)

03V45500017/11/2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

15V28700015/05/2015

AIR BAGS

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 caus

02V05600015/02/2002

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 TH

07V52700014/11/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

03V47700014/11/2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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.

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 EQUIPME

01V37600012/12/2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

03V08400011/03/2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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

03V51100010/12/2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

22E06600009/08/2022

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 2

20V00800009/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

20V74700001/12/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 prop

Recent Complaints

20250307AIR BAGS

Unknown

20201104ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 102,000

20201104UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 102,000

20200918ENGINE

TL* 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.

Mileage: 120,000

20200420AIR BAGS

NO LONGER OWN THIS CAR

Mileage: 100,000

20200317ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 10,900

20190109AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE RECALLED AIRBAG. THEY INSPECTED THE AIRBAG INFLATOR, SAID IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT DO ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WORK ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION STATING THAT THE NISSAN DEALER WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WITH A NEW ONE. *DT VIN AVAILABLE *JB

20180908AIR BAGS

I WAS NOTIFIED OF AIR BAG RECALL BY NISSAN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGREED TO FIX BUT WANTED ME TO RELEASE THEM OF RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY CRACKED MY DASH BOARD DURING THE REPAIR. I REFUSED TO GIVE PERMISSION TO DAMAGE MY VEHICLE. AS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED 1800 NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REPORTED AND THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THEY COULD REPAIR BUT SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY/DURING THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT DAMAGED AND I REFUSE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE THEY MAY CAUSE.

20180228AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AND 07V527000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REMEDY PERFORMED DUE TO THE NEAREST DEALER BEING 600 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT *TR

20180228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AND 07V527000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REMEDY PERFORMED DUE TO THE NEAREST DEALER BEING 600 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT *TR

20171109AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL......IVE BEEN ADVISED BY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE INFLATORS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL BUT I HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS TO WHETHER MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS AFFECTED OR NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONTACTED TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT MY VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OR REPAIRED.

20171107AIR BAGS

ON OCTOBER 25, 2017 I RECEIVED 2 LETTERS REGARDING A VEHICLE RECALL FOR MY NISSAN SENTRA 2002 CONCERNING ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG THAT IS DEFECTIVE AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I WILL LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WILL BE MY NEXT STEP AND HOW CAN I FIX THIS ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME.

20171107AIR BAGS

ON OCTOBER 25, 2017 I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLE REGARDING AN URGENT REQUEST FROM NISSAN MANUFACTURER CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUES AFFECTING MY VEHICLE. THERE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM MY NISSAN 2002 SENTRA THAT IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED UNDER MY NAME. I AM FILING THE COMPLAINT TO VERIFY WHAT WILL BE MY NEXT STEP TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED FOR FREE. I AM CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY !

20171027AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL CENTRAL HOUSTON NISSAN DEALERSHIP NUMBER (713) 661-9955 X 5355 IS BUSY, DOES NOT CALL ME BACK TO SCHEDULE BAG REPLACEMENT. NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE (KAYLA (615) 725-7543, CASE # 28688503) HAS NOT HELPED AND DOES NOT CALL ME BACK. I CALLED 1-888-327-4236 AND MADE A COMPLAINT, BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK.

Mileage: 60,000

20171017AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CENTRAL HOUSTON NISSAN (2901 S LOOP W, HOUSTON, TX 77054, (713) 277-7566) WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED LEFT VEHICLE FOR UNSCHEDULED REPAIR 11/17/17 AT CENTRAL HOUSTON NISSAN. UPDATED 7/31/18*JB

20170730ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. IT DID THIS TWICE. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AS OF 7-29-2017

Mileage: 123,000

20170727UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CAR SHUT DOWN SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP IN A RED LIGHT. EVEN SOMETIMES INSIDE THE FREEWAY. WHEN ALMOST STOP. I BELIVE IS A MALFUNTION OF THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ( ECM )

20170609ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR HAS BEEN TURNING OFF A FEW TIMES WHEN BRAKE HAD BEEN PUSHING DOWN.(WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN STOPPING)

Mileage: 3

20170609ENGINE

CAR HAS BEEN TURNING OFF A FEW TIMES WHEN BRAKE HAD BEEN PUSHING DOWN.(WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN STOPPING)

Mileage: 3

20170523UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I'M NOT SURE IF THE ECM REPROGRAM THAT IS OUT FOR MY VEHICLE WILL REMEDY THIS BY THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE I REFUSED TO PAY FOR A RECALL! I WAS TRAVELING LOW SPEED AND DECELERATING TO PULL INTO MY WORK AND THE CAR WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH AND GET HURT IT WAS ALSO ON A CITY STREET WHEN I WAS DOWNSHIFTING PROBABLY ABOUT 5-10 MPH THEN I TRIED TO TURN AND THERE WAS NO POWER AND A TRUCK FROM BEHIND WAS FLYING UP ON ME AND BARELY SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO NOT HIT ME AND IT WAS A SUPER HUMID HOT DAY WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED! I HAVE NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM ON MY CAR! IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF LIKE IT WAS ROYALTY! THE OBD11 READS P0605 CODE AND THE DESCRIPTION IS A ROM ERROR IT SAYS, LET ME STATE EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS A 2002 IT ONLY HAS 28,750 MILES ON IT AND NEAR PERFECT CONDITION! I CAN ERASE THE CODE AND DRIVE IT THEN IT WILL GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES! THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME THE ECU WAS FRIED AND TO BRING IT

Mileage: 27,885

Compare 2002NISSANSENTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA have?
The 2002 NISSAN SENTRA has 371 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 7 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA?
Yes, the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA has 14 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA?
The most-complained component for the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 67 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2002 NISSAN SENTRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.