Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving highway speeds, the vehicle lost acceleration and stalled. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway and checked the oil level. The oil was approximately two quarts low. After twenty minutes, the vehicle started again and the failure recurred the contact had to call a tow truck to bring the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The diagnosis was that the pre-catalyst was damaged and clogged and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) a few years back. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
2002 Nissan Sentra gxe would stall while driving after braking at high speeds exiting off highway (60-70 MPH). The vehicle would shake and the "service engine soon" light would display on the dashboard. The first time occurred at 2 weeks after I purchased the vehicle new with only 600 miles on it! This has occurred over 3 times. The 3rd time resulted in an accident. The Nissan dealership has serviced the vehicle and stated that they could not "duplicate" the problem. The Nissan consumer affairs and Nissan arbitration has tested the vehicle and stated that they could not duplicate the problem. This model seems to have the same problems in 2000 and 2001. Is it not obvious that Nissan has a continuous problem with this model.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine. The contact noticed the vehicle was smoking and oil was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who advised that the pre-catalytic converter and the engine would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly loose power and would not accelerate. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle would not start and was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine). The failure mileage was 149,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving at 65 MPH, the temperature gauge fluctuated from hot to cold and the service engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the ECM needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving various low speeds, the engine stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was identical to NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that here was a burning odor coming from the vehicle as it stalled without warning. The dealer advised the contact to replace the electronic control module since it had failed as a result of the lining failure. The dealer repaired the lining under NHTSA recall number: 07V527000 ( engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer had not been notified nor was the failure corrected. The current and failure mileages were 159,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Sentra. While driving 45 MPH, the check engine code: p0335 (crank sensor) illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the crank sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
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.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: 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…
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began December 15, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
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 the catalyst substrate.
Remedy: 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…
Engine complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 50% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is engine (40 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Sentra engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-527 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 14, 2007); NHTSA recall 03V-511 (engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2003); NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Sentra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.