Model year
2002 Nissan Sentra
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 304 complaints for the 2002 Nissan Sentra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (67), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE (40), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (30). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,050, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 171 complaints
- 2001 236 complaints
- 2002 304 complaints
- 2003 180 complaints
- 2004 197 complaints
- 2005 170 complaints
- 2006 116 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 167 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2010 144 complaints
- 2011 142 complaints
- 2012 180 complaints
- 2013 638 complaints
- 2014 380 complaints
- 2015 352 complaints
- 2016 270 complaints
- 2017 231 complaints
- 2018 185 complaints
- 2019 223 complaints
- 2020 206 complaints
- 2021 132 complaints
- 2022 81 complaints
- 2023 20 complaints
- 2024 41 complaints
- 2025 31 complaints
- 2026 19 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
20V747000 · Dec 1, 2020
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; 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. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators…
20V008000 · Jan 9, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45…
15V287000 · May 15, 2015
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. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive…
07V527000 · Nov 14, 2007
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.
03V511000 · Dec 10, 2003
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-LINE.
03V455000 · Nov 17, 2003
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 THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
03V477000 · Nov 14, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
03V084000 · Mar 11, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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 SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO…
02V056000 · Feb 15, 2002
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 AMOUNT OF MAT MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE THE MAT TO INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR…
01V376000 · Dec 12, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 VEHICLES WERE MISSING TAMPERPROOF CAPS THAT PREVENT HORIZONTAL HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT.
Complaints
304 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 19, fire flag on 6, injury field 22, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra · 2.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sentra · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sentra · 2.5L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sentra · 1.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Sentra · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Nissan Sentra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.