Problems with 2002 Nissan Sentra ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

While starting up the vehicle check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak

While driving, consumer felt like vehicle went into neutral. consumer barely made it to the shoulder because vehicle was shutting down. after incident consumer received recall notice regarding contamination of engine control module (ecm). *la *jb

Yesterday while driving my 2002 nissan sentra my vehicle stalled while driving at approx. 40 mph. luckily there was little traffic and i was able to manuever into a parking lot after crossing 3 lanes. the car would not restart. after having it towed to the nissan dealer they said the problem was the crankshft position sensor. after doing some research on the web i noticed a recall for the same issue on the 2000 nissan sentra (nhtsa campaign id number: 01v357000). you would think this issue would have been corrected after 2 model years.*ak

I leased a sentra se-r in nov 2002. since getting the vehicle i have had numerous problems. the car randomly does not start. it sounds like the car wants to turn over, but to no avail. there is no pattern to it. the car starts fine some days, and then sometimes it just doesn't want to start. i've had it towed to the dealer at least twice - the dealer couldn't find anything wrong. in june, when i took the car in for the same problem, the dealer had the nerve to tell me that the car would have trouble starting when it rains out - and that must be the problem. (are they insane - i asked myself - the car won't start when it rains? then they told me that i need to pump the gas pedal every time i start the car - a fuel injected car?) so, they replaced the fuel pump. but twice since the car has not wanted to start. the car has, since the day i leased it, randomly stalled right after starting. why? no one seems to know. then, this weekend while traveling on a highway, at about 70 mph the car suddenly lost all ability to maintain speed or accelerate. luckily, i was able to get to the shoulder, and by that point the engine died. after repeated attempts over 20 minutes, the car started but the "service engine soon" light remained on. when attempting to get back on the highway to travel home from where i was, the car would not accelerate, starting making horrible banging noises and it smelled like something was burning. the car wouldn't accelerate and had no power. luckily, i was able to get into an empty parking lot before having to call for a tow. there was a recall recently on the sentra - relating to the engine and possible fires - and the parts replacement was performed - so i am left wondering what kind of junk i have been stuck with... it seems that it is one problem after another with this car. *jb

Driving at 75 mph, car very suddenly lost power and would not accelerate past 45 mph. subsequent to this, car operated sporadically until going past 15 mph was impossible. car was towed to dealer where it has remained for a month awaiting a defective ecu replacement. the service manager later informed that this is a wide spread occurrence, and that nissan cannot keep up with the demand of this particular part(the engine management computer). at the time of this incident, i was very fortunate to have successfully pulled to the shoulder from the fast lane. my vehicle has 20,000 miles. *la

My car has had the check engine light come on 5 times since april 2003, everytime it has been the same problem, it starts idleing at a very sparatic pace, also i lose the throttle. the car has been "reset and recalibrated" 4 times at the dealership. the car then runs fine for about 300 miles and we go through it again. it has now turn into a safety concern because i will lose the throttle as i am driving. -kh. *ak

2002 nissan sentra gxe would stall while driving after braking at high speeds exiting off highway (60-70 mph). the vehicle would shake and the "service engine soon" light would display on the dashboard. the first time occurred at 2 weeks after i purchased the vehicle new with only 600 miles on it! this has occurred over 3 times. the 3rd time resulted in an accident. the nissan dealership has serviced the vehicle and stated that they could not "duplicate" the problem. the nissan consumer affairs and nissan arbitration has tested the vehicle and stated that they could not duplicate the problem. this model seems to have the same problems in 2000 and 2001. is it not obvious that nissan has a continuous problem with this model. *la

While driving, the vehicle stalled. *ak the engine light sometimes illuminated on the dash board, it was determined that the crank position sensor was broke. *ts *jb

While making a right turn, the engine experienced erratic behavior causing loss of control. vehicle collided with a cement drainage gutter. *ph consumer received recall notice from nissan regarding engine related failure of ecm and crank position sensor. vehicle was repaired on consumer's expense and seeking reimbursement for repairs because dealer said that they could not fill the requirements of the warranty due to the nature of collateral damage on to the transaxle and surrounding suspension, which is a liability issue not warranty. *la

I own a 2002 sentra spec v and this is my second one in 10 months that has failed to perform as it should. the current vehicle has had 1 new engine, 1 exhaust manifold, 2 window regulators, 2 new windows, three new door speakers, two shift knobs, 1 timing belt tensioner, 1 third brake light, and is in the process of getting it's third engine. car consumes oil at a rapid rate of 2 quarts per 1200 miles. tried an informal resolution and nissan rejected. dealer agrees the car should be bought back. symptoms that i have, lead to possible engine fire and is being addressed with a recall. i was sent home in a vehicle that was unsafe and they did not want to fix this last time and were denying the car had any problem. i fought a long hard battle just to get it fixed. *nlm

Now at 20,800 miles i think my car may be burning oil.lost 2 quarts in 3000 miles. dip stick actually came up dry but no oil light. im taking it in tomorrow to have the tranny replaced along with some o2 sensors that went bad. also im having it checked because the trunk and drivers/front passenger door leaks. also the e brake is failing again, there is rattling coming from the drivers door and a sqeauking noise when i release the clutch. plus my side skirts are still warped, ill have to remind them of that. just wanted to add this one even though i havent gotten my car to the dealer yet. also just want to say i officially hate nissan and their extremely poor customer service. i will never buy another nissan and am looking into a lawyer to file a lemon law case. just because the sentra is the low end model car doesnt mean you have to treat the owners with less respect than those with a 350z or a murano. im buying a subaru after i get rid of this pos !

When passing a semi truck on a curve traveling approximately 70 mph, the engine died and the steering had become hard to turn. the consumer was nearly rear ended by a semi truck. *ph the dealer stated the problem was the engine position sensor. all 2000 and 2001 sentra's had been recalled for replacement. *scc *jb

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. note: the exact milage may not be accurate, but is close. the car only has 13,000 miles on it.

Engine failed in se-r spec-v from nissan causing me to lose control of the vehicle. *jb

I haven't had the car for a year yet and i have already had the catalytic converter replaced twice & the engine replaced because there was no oil in it. what kind of car has these kind of problems? the gears shift hard now to where it about jerks you and i drive an automatic. not to mention the dealership wouldn't even give me a rental while they had to practically replace the entire engine. *nlm

2002 spec-v heater temp control cables broke. drove car to 10000 miles.. in dec was given a rentalcar..told parts would be in any day. been without the parts for over 90 days.. no eta on parts ..no eta on repair..only get the run around from nissan

Car running hot - several times - ran out of fluid - replaced fluid - same problem - dealer replaced lower radiator hose. purchase date was oct 2001 - do not recall exact date. *ak

Consumer stated that the engine is failing causing the consumer to replace the oil more than often. dealer notified. ts

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. consumer restarted the vehicle, and took it to the dealer for inspection. mechanic determined that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced, and replaced it. the mass air flow sensor has been replaced several times but the stalling recurs. *ak the oil pan, rear main seal and front engine seal were leaking oil. the vehicle drive belts also needed to be replaced. *nm

Consumer states that shortly after starting the vehicle and trying to put the vehicle into reverse the vehicle started to rev up and when the consumer tried to go in reverse the vehicle went in reverse at a high speed until the consumer applied the brakes and shut the vehicle off. contacted dealer and the dealer cannot remedy the problem. *mr

While driving at any speed and without prior warning, the vehicle stalled intermittently.*ak while driving 35-45 mph the vehicle jerked when shifting gears. while stopped at a red lights the vehicle has stalled numerous times. one time it stalled four times within one mile. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. the consumer retrieved the vehicle from the dealer and continued to drive it all winter with no problems. when the weather became warm the vehicle began to stall again. the dealer was still unable to duplicate or correct the stalling problem. the consumer is afraid to drive the vehicle. *ph *nm

Consumer states while driving the engine compartment caught fire. the dealer was contacted. feel free to provide any further information.*jb

When going around a curve or slowing down for a stop vehicle shuts off. cause unknown. please provide any further information.*ak

2002 nissan sentra experienced problems with shutting down as well as faulty brakes.***no answer required***. *mr the service dealer was unable to find the problem. refer to recall campaign# 03v455000. the brakes were faulty, there was a problem with the battery due to leaking and wouldn't charge, the fan belt had crystallized, noise had come from the engine due to the radiator, there was a malfunction of the computer which caused the engine to flood with gas. *sc

I bought a brand new 2002 sentra se-r spec v in feb of 2002. i have had major engine and transmission problems, before the car was even a year old i had to take it in for transmission problems 3 times. they replaced my transmission 2 times. the second transmission replacement was with a 2003 transmission. i have also taken my car in 2 times for the engine. my engine had to be replaced 2 times. both times my engine was found with no oil in it even thought it was far from being do for an oil change. my car consumes oil and i am constantly having to add. these problems are excessive and ridicules for a car that is not even a year old. *jb