2002 Nissan Sentra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 18%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,300miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 18% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,300 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving when all of a sudden several lights in the car came on and the vehicle suddenly stopped in the road and was not able to restart. I took it in for repair a few days later and was told it was the cam and crank shaft sensor failure. Additionally it turned out to be a bad ECM.”
NHTSA complaint #10511196, filed 2013-05, 113,830 miles“On sept 16, 2014, my 2002 Nissan Sentra would not start. Thinking it was a battery problem I had it towed to my mechanic's shop. A day or so later, the mechanics could not find what was wrong with it. I had the alarm worked on recently and the alarm installers were nice enough to swing by the shop and take a look at it. Turns out the alarm was not the issue. While talking about the car's problem, the head mechanic and head alarm installer kept mentioning the word recall . Next I had it towed to the dealership, melloy Nissan. …”
NHTSA complaint #10639047, filed 2014-09, 35,000 miles“I currently own a 2002 Nissan Sentra se-r spec v and it is old but has been taken good care of and it only has 110,000 miles on it. Vehicle problems smoke black really bad, uses up to 5 quarts between oil changes, idles rough, runs rough. It has had a couple recalls I checked up on like the pre cat header it had been replaced in 03. I replaced coil packs, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, cam sensor, and crank sensor. All this virtually did nothing and with vehicle oil consumption and fuel usage the engine is shot and will be in need of rebuild or replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10662473, filed 2014-12, 110,000 miles“My car stalled out on road twice. The mil came on; ECM failed. Nissan of union city, ga, diagnosed ECM failure; said needed replacement. I then found there is a recall concerning sulfur that could cause corrosion of ECM; Nissan never notified me of such. They told me they'd perform the foam and crank sensor recalls; they didn't as found out later. Advisor told me that the ECM replacement would be covered if there was burning or melting of the foam around ECM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10206157, filed 2007-10, 123,051 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10254736, filed 2009-01, 100,618 milesRelated recalls
- 03V477000Nov 14, 2003On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the qg18de engine or qr25de engines, the foam material used for the interior lining of the electronic control…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2003
Related service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235729Apr 3, 2023RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous…
- 10192192Jun 7, 2013As part of an enhanced emissions test for Inspection & Maintenance (I/M), some States may require the System Readiness Test (SRT) status be checked. - The SRT is used to indicate…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 10 | 24% |
| 2023 | 8 | 40% |
| 2022 | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 | 45 | 22% |
| 2019 | 65 | 29% |
| 2018 | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 | 45 | 17% |
| 2015 | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 43 | 7% |
| 2012 | 13 | 7% |
| 2011 | 34 | 24% |
| 2010 | 50 | 35% |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 19% |
| 2002 | 54 | 18% |
| 2001 | 44 | 19% |
| 2000 | 29 | 17% |
| 1999 | 12 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 12% |
| 1992 | 14 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Sentra
127 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsTires
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology