2002 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 7%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 7% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My transmission is terrible. I can't get into reverse. It is clunky. That's why they changed it for 2004. It always pops out of gear. If I take it to the dealer, they'll just tell me it's my driving like the other 1000 people out there I guess with the same problem. It needs to recalled and replaced with the 04 transmission. This is ridiculous.”
NHTSA complaint #10058248, filed 2004-02, 1 miles“Transmission is difficult to shift into 2nd and 3rd gear. The situation is worse on cold mornings, even after letting the car warm up, as suggested by dealer. At times, after vechicle is moving the gear selector can not be placed in next gear, causing vechicle to roll down street under no power until the gear lever will engage.”
NHTSA complaint #10049707, filed 2003-12, 28,000 miles“Dt: contact stated transmission fell apart at 38,456 miles, and the second one fell apart a t39,007 miles. Contact talked to the dealer, who replaced the transmission . But he said they would only put rebuilt parts into it. Contact would like a new transmission. The first one was put in on 7-1-05. She assumed the first transmission was not put together correctly, and the second one was replaced with rebuilt parts on 7-26-05.”
NHTSA complaint #10130422, filed 2005-07, 30,456 miles“1) ongoing intermittent problems with gears grinding, gears popping out (while driving no less!), gears refusing to go into proper gear (especially a problem with reverse.) dealer tells us car drives fine for them and problems cannot be replicated. Several observers have seen and heard these problems on various occasions. Dealer continues to tell us that there are no problems with the transmission. 2) car refused to start and needed to be towed to dealer, where upon we were told the car started right up for us. This problem has not recurred as of this date. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069088, filed 2004-01, 6,000 miles“Intermittently while driving at any speed and shifting any gear the vehicle stalled. The dealership inspected the vehicle 10 times on different occasions, and could not duplicate or correct the problem. There were numerous probles with engine stalling, the maf had to be replace numerous times, the check engine and the reverse light did not work properly. (the wiring harness also repeated intermittent problems) the engine would stall when the clutch was depressed and when in neutral idling and when shifting the gears. The front speaker/tweeters made cracking noises. …”
NHTSA complaint #10087709, filed 2004-09, 1,345 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10034677Sep 3, 2010Nissan: the clutch pedal spring needs to be replaced for any reason (such as noise). Replace the spring and bushings with the ones listed in parts information section. Do not…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 21% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 6 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Sentra
127 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsEngine
27 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 31, 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