2002 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 9%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 9% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Nissan Sentra decided to stall out in the middle of a very busy intersection. Was able to restart the Nissan after about 15 seconds. Later that day I was unable to start my car. Battery was jumped and the car was running until I turned my headlights on. I had to be towed home. I believe my can sensor and crank sensor need to be replaced and there was a recall for this complaint before.”
NHTSA complaint #10824649, filed 2016-02, 185,000 miles“The car engine stops when at the traffic light and every time that I stop . I have to restart it to proceed and this happens very often and very frustrating.. Thanks god that I haven't had anyone rear-ended me so far.”
NHTSA complaint #10522164, filed 2013-06, 156,000 miles“I began to have trouble with my car a couple of weeks ago. I have been going through a quart of oil a day and a tank of gas in a few days. I took it to my mechanic and he found out there is a recall for my vehicle. I was never notified of this recall. I was in the marines and was stationed at several different bases. My mother?s address was also used by Nissan but she never received any information on the recall. I contacted the Nissan dealer in norfolk ne. He told me I had to wait two weeks for them to look at it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10481065, filed 2012-10, 103,000 miles“Car stalled after coming up to stop sign. This has happened a few times. I heard it could be a crankshaft position sensor failure. Are there any recalls on this particular part? July 1st 2013, my blower knob did not turn on until I reached position #4--the rest do not work, so I cannot control heating, cooling or defrosting. Any recalls on a blower heat resistor failure? September 2010, intermittent speed control accelerating on its own--ongoing problem. July 3rd 2013, heat shield broke in two. Are any of these conditions on a recall list? …”
NHTSA complaint #10523270, filed 2013-07, 120,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148768Oct 9, 2018Free Oil Change Specific Vehicles Subject to the Takata Recall *****Detailed Information***** To help accelerate repair completions on specific populations of vehicles recalled…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 15% |
| 2022 | 7 | 9% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% |
| 2019 | 20 | 9% |
| 2018 | 22 | 12% |
| 2017 | 48 | 21% |
| 2016 | 48 | 18% |
| 2015 | 69 | 20% |
| 2014 | 62 | 16% |
| 2013 | 87 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 22% |
| 2011 | 30 | 21% |
| 2010 | 35 | 24% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 19 | 16% |
| 2005 | 33 | 19% |
| 2004 | 26 | 13% |
| 2003 | 24 | 13% |
| 2002 | 27 | 9% |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Sentra
127 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsAir bags
30 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