2002 Nissan Sentra Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 42%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 42% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving my 2002 Nissan Sentra it shuts off no matter the speed now. Started only when I was at a stop light, sign,or going at a slow speed. This has been happening for 3 years, have the mass air flow sensor changed, fuel filter, and still stopping. Also the oil dip stick keep breaking off. Most recent sept 5, 2010 now car won't start.”
NHTSA complaint #10354066, filed 2010-09, 160,000 miles“My 2002 Nissan Sentra will stop running, shut off when in low speed. This started about one year ago. I have contacted the dealership and have been told there is not recall on my car. But I have read on the internet many people with the same problem, when trying to find a fix for my problem. I also have had three dip stick come off into the dip stick holder. 12/4/08.”
NHTSA complaint #10325562, filed 2010-04, 140,000 miles“This was the third time that my engine has cut off due to a malfunction of the butterfly screws on the intake valve of my 2002 Nissan Sentra se-r spec v. I have contacted Nissan corporate about the issue and they have issued a recall on the 2003 and up models but refuse to issue the recall on the 2002 model. This could have resulted in a highway crash on two occasions as well as continuous damage to my engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10317735, filed 2010-03, 65,000 miles“The dipstick cap on my 2002 Nissan Sentra gxe is plastic. Due to this and the normal heating and cooling of the engine, it has broken away from the dipstick and the dipstick is stuck down in the dipstick tube. To get this out and replace it, the dealerships and repair garages want $100-200+ dollars. This I have learned is a common defect among most cars of this make and model.”
NHTSA complaint #10205506, filed 2007-10, 82,416 miles“June 15 , 2006 - I was driving on the freeway and all of sudden , car stalled . Took it to the dealer. They replaced the emc. It ran fine for 2 months . Today again it stalled . Luckily I was able to restart the car. Taking it to the dealer for checkup on thursday. Talked to the dealer, as of today no recall is due on my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10166247, filed 2006-08, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V527000Nov 14, 2007On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2002, 2005–2006, Altima 2002, 2005–2006
- 03V511000Dec 10, 2003On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket may break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2003
- 03V455000Nov 17, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2000–2003, Maxima 2002–2003, Altima 2002–2003 +6 more
- 03V084000Mar 11, 2003On 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…Covers: Nissan Sentra 2002, Altima 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10039804Oct 1, 2010Nissan: the engine cranks longer than 3 seconds when starting. 2002-2006 sentra.
- 10015991Sep 8, 2006Long engine crank time before start.
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10017405Sep 22, 2005Alternator drive belt noise.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 8 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 14 | 12% |
| 2005 | 48 | 28% |
| 2004 | 59 | 30% |
| 2003 | 86 | 48% |
| 2002 | 127 | 42% |
| 2001 | 93 | 39% |
| 2000 | 72 | 42% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 10% |
| 1994 | 11 | 11% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 4 | 6% |
| 1990 | 8 | 21% |
| 1989 | 9 | 22% |
| 1988 | 10 | 27% |
| 1987 | 5 | 14% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Sentra
54 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 27, 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