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2002 Nissan Sentra: check engine light

46 of the 304 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Sentra describe check engine light.

owner complaints
46
of this car's complaints
15%
typical repair cost reported
$1,200
typical mileage
83,998
recalls
4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 17 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 2, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 183,400 miles · TX

Takata recall; after purchasing vehicle and driving for about 10 minutes; check engine light suddenly comes on prior to picking up speed to enter highway; vehicle abruptly loses power at a speed of 65 miles per hour and stalls in traffic causing a near fatal traffic accident; after running the VIN number in the federal safety agency database vehicle was never recalled for grossly negligent issue with crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. This leads me to the fact that vehicle manufacturer never contacted original owner concerning this terrible safety issue. After finding out about two outstanding recalls that were never addressed in which the vehicle has exhibited potential catastrophic consequences based upon the manufacturers product defect it was uncovered that the vehicle has a potential fatal issue with the passenger side airbag. I am extremely terrified to operate this vehicle and my experience on october 1, 2016 of operating this vehicle and it losing power abruptly risking my life and limb has caused me extreme depression, stress, and mental anguish. If these issues are not corrected immediately as a remedy at law with the nearest nissan dealer including towing at manufacturer's expense, I and the texas office of the attorney general will pursue a gross product liability negligence legal action against nissan based upon my legal advice and texas law; which clearly states that in a product liability dispute the statute of limitations is 15 years from sale unless manufacturer says useful life is longer. Texas civil practice & remedies code ann. 16.012. Thank you for your time and attention to this serious safety matter.

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Engine · 156,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. While driving 45 MPH, the check engine code: p0335 (crank sensor) illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the crank sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2015 · Engine · 149,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly loose power and would not accelerate. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle would not start and was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v527000 (engine). The failure mileage was 149,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Engine · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. While driving at 65 MPH, the temperature gauge fluctuated from hot to cold and the service engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the ECM needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v527000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

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 Nov 13, 2014 · Engine · 184,686 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle continuously stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the crank shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,686.

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Engine · 105,000 miles · MA

Engine stops running suddenly for no apparent reason, and with no warning. This may happen within seconds of starting the engine, after a few minutes, and sometimes even as much as an hour after startup. The engine runs smoothly when it runs, and there is no warning when it stops running. The check engine light is not illuminated (except immediately following startup), and my local service station cannot isolate a problem that would cause this behavior.

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 Jul 5, 2012 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic that determined that there was a manufacturing defect with the crank position sensor. The vehicle was repaired by replacing two sensors located at the top and bottom however the failure recurred. The mechanic then advised that the remedy was to reprogram the computer at an authorized dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included. The current mileage was 170,000. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 8/6/12 *cn updated 08/14/2012

Filed Oct 26, 2011 · Engine · 121,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that when first starting the vehicle, exhaust fumes would enter the interior cabin with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection where the contact was advised that the ECM needed replacing. The manufacturer was contacted and advised having the failure diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The diagnostic test confirmed that the ECM was defective. The manufacturer then advised that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and no assistance would be provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was non-drivable. The failure mileage was 121,500.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 72,108 miles · KS

While driving the will stop running without warning or my service engine light will come on and my car will not start. This started about 5 years ago.

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Engine · 112,034 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the crank and cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was 112,034 and the current mileage was 112,060.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported November 14, 2007 · 653,910 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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 reprogramming for 06v223 also included this reprogramming. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 07V527000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported December 10, 2003 · 70 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began december 15, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 03V511000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported November 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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 also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.

Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported March 11, 2003 · 338,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
Risk
Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
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 could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. If substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they could score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. The pre-catalyst will be tested to ensure it is working properly and replaced if necessary. If damage is found inside the pre-catalyst, it will be necessary to replace the engine.

Recall number 03V084000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2002 Nissan Sentra check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2002 Nissan Sentra?

46 of 304 owner complaints about the 2002 Nissan Sentra (15%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2003.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2002 Nissan Sentra?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Nissan Sentra?

There are 4 recalls and 17 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2002 Nissan Sentra

Stalling 74Oil consumption 18Engine failure 15Won't start 12Jerking 9No deployment 8Fuel pump 8Loss of power 7Tire blowout 6Grinding brakes 5Overheating 5

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