2002 Nissan Sentra problems
Owners have filed 372 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Sentra. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 41% of complaints. After that come electrical system (15%) and air bags (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 372 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 22 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 69,000 miles 260 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 48 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 43 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 24 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 36 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 26 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 26 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 25 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 16 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 10 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 260 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 69,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (120 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 22 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 37 model years of the Nissan Sentra with enough data (227 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt: contact stated while driving vehicle stalled. While pushing the vehicle off the road another vehicle hit the contact's vehicle from behind. The contact stated there was NHTSA recall campaign 03v477000 but the contact wasn't notified about this recall. The contact and passenger sustained injuries.
I was involved in a crash on the mentioned date. A lady ran a red, yellow, or a green yield light. I smashed the front end of my car going approximately 25-30 MPH into her front passenger side fender totaling my car valued at $10500. The car was a 2002 nissan sentra ser. My main complaint is the air bags did not go off. I was under the impression that any head on collision going 10 MPH or above, the air bags should deploy. Please inform me if this is true and what my options are.
I was riding on the expressway when my tread separated from my tire. I had my 2 yr old daughter in the car. I crashed and my car was totaled. My daughter and I are lucky to be alive but we are hurt. *nlm
I own a 2002 sentra spec v and this is my second one in 10 months that has failed to perform as it should. The current vehicle has had 1 new engine, 1 exhaust manifold, 2 window regulators, 2 new windows, three new door speakers, two shift knobs, 1 timing belt tensioner, 1 third brake light, and is in the process of getting it's third engine. Car consumes oil at a rapid rate of 2 quarts per 1200 miles. Tried an informal resolution and nissan rejected. Dealer agrees the car should be bought back.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. When the contact purchased the vehicle, he had the oil consumption of the fuel system inspected. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was burning large amounts of oil, causing the piston rings to wear down. He was also informed of a recall with this identical failure, which stated that they were supposed to replace the parts as well as install a catalyst.