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2002 Nissan Sentra electrical problems

54 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 79,300. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
54
of this car's complaints
18%
typical mileage
79,300
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Ignition: module
    17
  • Wiring
    2
  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    2
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1
  • Ignition
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan Sentra electrical problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignition: moduleReported November 14, 2003 · 276,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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 could result in a crash.
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.

Recall number 03V477000 · Recall details

What 2002 Nissan Sentra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · AK

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v287000 (air bags) and 07v527000 (electrical system); however, the contact was unable to get the remedy performed due to the nearest dealer being 600 miles away. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue in november of 2017 and stated that they would send out a technician to perform the repairs; however, there has been no response. The contact had not experienced a failure. *tt

Filed Jul 30, 2017 · Electrical · 123,000 miles · NJ

While driving on highway car engine shut off. It did this twice. The second time the car would not restart as of 7-29-2017

Filed Dec 14, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 16,000 miles · FL

Car turn off while driving.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 62,955 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. While driving 40 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the 02 sensor needed to be replaced. The repairs were made, but the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,955. Updated 3/18/15*cn updated 9/8/2017

Filed Dec 5, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · IN

I currently own a 2002 nissan sentra se-r spec v and it is old but has been taken good care of and it only has 110,000 miles on it. Vehicle problems smoke black really bad, uses up to 5 quarts between oil changes, idles rough, runs rough. It has had a couple recalls I checked up on like the pre cat header it had been replaced in 03. I replaced coil packs, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, cam sensor, and crank sensor. All this virtually did nothing and with vehicle oil consumption and fuel usage the engine is shot and will be in need of rebuild or replacement. I have read many reviews of others with the same car and have had the same and worse problems, and it just makes no sense how nissan can screw up that bad and screw that many people out of money because of manufacturing defects. I also called nissan and told them the problem and they basically said to bad nothing we can do you are on your own. I still own the car and feel like as many of these car owners have experienced the same issues it is obviously something nissan did wrong and should compensate me and others with this defect.

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · NM

On sept 16, 2014, my 2002 nissan sentra would not start. Thinking it was a battery problem I had it towed to my mechanic's shop. A day or so later, the mechanics could not find what was wrong with it. I had the alarm worked on recently and the alarm installers were nice enough to swing by the shop and take a look at it. Turns out the alarm was not the issue. While talking about the car's problem, the head mechanic and head alarm installer kept mentioning the word "recall". Next I had it towed to the dealership, melloy nissan. A melloy mechanic said that the computer was bad and a replacement would cost $900. The mechanic told me it was not under warranty. I researched the emc problem online. I called nissan USA about the emc since it seems to be a common problem with sentras. They said they would take my complaint under consideration. On the sept. 26th, nissan USA said that they would pay for half of the emc's cost. The dealership called shortly later, saying the total cost of the repair would be $667. I don't know if the emc failed because of the emc box's foam curing (a common problem covered by warranty) or it was just a buggy unit (a common problem not covered by warranty). From what I have read online, it seems even if the emc's failure is due to the foam, nissan will replace the foam, but the owner must pay for a new emc. Both should be covered. My car's mileage is slightly over 35,000 miles.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Electrical · 165,234 miles · AZ

I was traveling on the highway when the car shutoff. The RPM's shut to 0 in 5th gear. The battery was fine. I brought it to the shop and they could not make connection with the ECM. I needed an ECM. There was a recall for the crank position sensor which was performed in 2004, that recall was established because of vehicles stalling while driving. This is still a serious public safety issue. I called nissan and they stated because of the age and mileage of the vehicle there was nothing they could for me. Searching online in nissan forums I realized this is a common issue for that year. So I am not alone. The recall should extend until this problem is fixed period. Thank you.

Filed May 8, 2013 · Electrical · 113,830 miles · PA

I was driving when all of a sudden several lights in the car came on and the vehicle suddenly stopped in the road and was not able to restart. I took it in for repair a few days later and was told it was the cam and crank shaft sensor failure. Additionally it turned out to be a bad ECM.

Filed Feb 24, 2013 · Electrical · 79,300 miles · ID

Service engine light on. Fault of misfire and interior engine gauge was inop. Vehicle stopped for no reason. Took vehicle to dealer service center for ECM recall they could not perform due to internal failure.

Filed Jun 27, 2012 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine stalled without any warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician detected a trouble code within the ECM. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v477000 (electrical system:ignition:module); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Questions about the 2002 Nissan Sentra electrical

Does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the electrical of the 2002 Nissan Sentra, 18% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Sentra electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 79,300 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Nissan Sentra electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 03V477000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Sentra have the most electrical problems?

The Nissan Sentra model years with the most electrical complaints are 2019 (65 complaints), 2002 (54 complaints) and 2010 (50 complaints).

Other 2002 Nissan Sentra problems

Engine 153Airbags 30Acceleration 20Transmission 20Tires 13Fuel system 11Body 10Brakes 9Steering 7Lights 6Visibility 5Driver assistance 3Suspension 3Locks 1Wheels 1

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