CarModelProblems.com

2002 Nissan Sentra Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling — runs 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
304Complaints
14Recalls
22Crashes
8Fires
22Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling (22% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling67 · 22%RecalledRecall 07V527000 · Recall 03V455000 · Recall 03V084000 · Recall 03V511000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine41 · 13.5%RecalledRecall 07V527000 · Recall 03V455000 · Recall 03V084000 · Recall 03V511000
Electrical System30 · 9.9%RecalledRecall 03V477000
Engine27 · 8.9%RecalledRecall 07V527000 · Recall 03V455000 · Recall 03V084000 · Recall 03V511000
Air Bags26 · 8.6%RecalledRecall 20V008000 · Recall 20V747000 · Recall 15V287000 · Recall 22E066000
Electrical System:ignition:module17 · 5.6%RecalledRecall 03V477000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE27 · 8.9%
AIR BAGS26 · 8.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE17 · 5.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 · 4.9%
Unspecified / other14 · 4.6%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION9 · 3%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT8 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 304 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 2020 · reported 01/09/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V747000 · 2020 · reported 12/01/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 15V287000 · 2015 · reported 05/15/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 07V527000 · 2007 · reported 11/14/2007

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:module

NHTSA campaign 03V477000 · 2003 · reported 11/14/2003

IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH C… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 03V455000 · 2003 · reported 11/17/2003

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 01V376000 · 2001 · reported 12/12/2001

THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Unknown Or Other

NHTSA campaign 02V056000 · 2002 · reported 02/15/2002

IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

NHTSA campaign 03V084000 · 2003 · reported 03/11/2003

EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 03V511000 · 2003 · reported 12/10/2003

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 22E066000 · 2022 · reported 08/09/2022

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“2002 NISSAN SENTRA SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE.”NHTSA complaint 10132349 — filed 08/03/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE RESTARTED, AND THEY CONTINUED ON DRIVING. LATER, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 10109305 — filed 01/31/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“WHEN I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED THE MECHANIC WENT TO PULL THE DIPSTICK OUT AND SINCE IT IS PLASTIC AND IS LOCATED NEXT…”NHTSA complaint 10098643 — filed 11/10/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

30200813252010147201210202014101020161232018152020112026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Sentra?

Engine and engine cooling issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 304 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (41), electrical system (30), engine (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have?

304 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 22 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V008000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Nissan Sentra's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.