Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact called regarding the ownership of the 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V008000 (Air Bags); and would like the address to be removed from the vehicle recall distribution list because the vehicle owner does not live at the contact's address. The manufacturer was contacted.
On August 14, 2007 at 5:35 pm I was driving north on sparta avenue in a 2002 Nissan Sentra. I was traveling at an estimated 35 miles per hour. A Jeep cherokee on pine terrace failed to yield to at a stop sign and pulled out in front of my car while attempting to turn left onto sparta avenue causing a collision. The collision resulted in extensive damage to the front end of my car that was irreparable; however, my airbag did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V136000 (air bags) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning light remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,000.
I was traveling to my new home when I realized the car in front of me was completely stopped to make a left hand turn. I slammed on my brakes, but hit the car in front of me. My air bags did not deploy. I am concerned because the crash caused 4 fractures in my right ankle and foot.had the airbags deployed, would they have held me back in my seat and lessoned the crash impact on my foot/ankle?
Tl* 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 notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
While driving 50 MPH the driver swerved into another lane to avoid a table top which was dropped by an unknown vehicle. As a result the vehicle hit another vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to spin around and become wedged between the vehicle and a guardrail. Neither of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified.
Takata recall central houston Nissan dealership number [phone] x 5355 is busy, does not call me back to schedule bag replacement. Nissan customer care (kayla [phone], case # 28688503) has not helped and does not call me back. I called [phone] and made a complaint, but haven't heard back.
Air bags failed to deploy impact at 45 MPH full frontal impact car electronic system (computer) registered that the bags has been activated. No electric/electronic connection registers on the dash board indicating that the air bag system is operational. Nor driver or passenger bags were activated.
Takata recall; after purchasing vehicle and driving for about 10 minutes; check engine light suddenly comes on prior to picking up speed to enter highway; vehicle abruptly loses power at a speed of 65 miles per hour and stalls in traffic causing a near fatal traffic accident; after running the VIN number in NHTSA database vehicle was never recalled for grossly negligent issue with crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. This leads me to the fact that vehicle manufacturer never contacted original owner concerning this terrible safety issue. After finding out about two outstanding recalls that were never addressed in which the vehicle has exhibited potential catastrophic consequences based upon the manufacturers product defect it was uncovered that the vehicle has a potential fatal issue with the passenger side airbag. …
I received a notice of a recall for the driver's side airbag of my 2002 Nissan Sentra in the mail, which instructed me to make an appointment with my local Nissan dealership to have the necessary repairs made free of charge. I made an appointment and appeared at the dealership, and the dealer is telling me that they cannot complete the repairs because the recall is not yet archived in their system, and that the system will take one business day to become available. This difficulty contradicts the very nature of a recall: to ensure the safety of the driver as soon as possible. Because of an inadequacy of their "system"--they are fully equipped mechanically to do the repair--I'm expected to drive home and return a different day with an unsafe driver's side airbag.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Airbag complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 10% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Sentra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-747 (inflator module, Dec 1, 2020); NHTSA recall 20V-008 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-287 (air bags, May 15, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Sentra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.