2002 Nissan Sentra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Nissan Sentra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Sentra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 36 complaints 1988: 37 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 63 complaints 1992: 62 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 99 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 141 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 59 complaints 2000: 171 complaints 2000 2001: 235 complaints 2002: 304 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 197 complaints 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 116 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 167 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2010: 144 complaints 2011: 141 complaints 2012: 180 complaints 2012 2013: 638 complaints 2014: 380 complaints 2015: 347 complaints 2016: 266 complaints 2017: 228 complaints 2018: 183 complaints 2018 2019: 219 complaints 2020: 203 complaints 2021: 127 complaints 2022: 80 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2002: 304 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19831
19843
19856
19866
198736
198837
198941
199039
199163
199262
199358
199499
1995117
1996141
1997108
199858
199959
2000171
2001235
2002304
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011141
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015347
2016266
2017228
2018183
2019219
2020203
2021127
202280
202318
202430
202525
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%

22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 67 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 27 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140312

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS TRAVELING TO MY NEW HOME WHEN I REALIZED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120709

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030403

The contact called regarding the ownership of the 2002 Nissan Sentra.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260224

SAFETY TIMELINE

2002 — complaint volume: 304
R 20020114 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TAMPERPROOF CAP OVER THE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT SCREW FOR BOTH HEADLAMPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON

Campaign 01V376000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020318 — unknown or other

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN-APPROVED ACCESSORY FLOOR MAT THAT WAS INSTALLED EITHER AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR BY THE DEALER, DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT, A SMALL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT AND IF IT IS A NISSAN FLOOR MAT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN

Campaign 02V056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030728 — engine and engine cooling

ON 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 MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT

Campaign 03V084000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031215 — engine and engine cooling

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-LI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 03V511000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031222 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE A

Campaign 03V455000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031222 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 03V477000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071231 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPRO

Campaign 07V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150615 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 15V287000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200212 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.

Campaign 20V008000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210122 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge.

Campaign 20V747000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20220923 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Campaign 22E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Nissan Sentra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V376000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V056000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V511000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V477000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V287000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V747000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22E066000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2014 ■ 2015

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Nissan Sentra is rated "significantly worse".

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

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.