At 6:30 am, I was driving, trying to defrost the windows with the defroster at a light and the car started a jerking motion and overheated. I parked the car at family member's residence. I took the car to the dealer and was told that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the replacement was covered under the warranty. Nissan needed to be contacted and they were. My case was in the warranty department for 3.5 weeks, mean while I was without transportation I wasn't approved to have a vehicle supplied by nissan. Nissan made a decision not to replace the engine in my 4 year old car that received regular maintenance; but to replace the cylinder head gaskets (which from what I am told is a temporary fix). This is because I am at 58,000 miles and my warranty is up at 60,000 miles. Beware of nissan and their warranties.
2002 Nissan Sentra engine complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 153, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Early march, I noticed on consumer reports website that there were recalls associated with my 2002 nissan sentra. Engine sensors. Nissan did not send me a recall notice even though they had my name and address. I registered the car when I bought it used. March 16 2006 my nissan had 115754 kms on it when I took it into nissan victoria for the recalls. They replaced the crankshaft/camshaft position sensors (3 in total) recall r86. Removed ECM case holder foam r87. June 20, 2006 I was heading to the highway when my engine started racing and jerking, I drove it home. The car died and I had it towed to an automotive shop around the corner from my house. I was so lucky I wasn't going down the highway with lots of traffic! The mechanic came to the conclusion fairly quickly that it might be the computer and he called the nissan dealership. They told him that they had no problems with the computers. I rented a car in the meantime to get to work. The mechanic got a used computer from the auto wrecker and the car started right up. Apparently the foam on the ECM damaged the computer (some kind of gas-fumes) while it was curing. This is why nissan removed the foam. Maybe they are trying to avoid another recall like for the sensors...too late... I have since discovered that a lot of people have had the same problem with the ECM. I don't trust the used ECM I have in the car because I don't know anything about it. But I feel that nissan should either rebuild or give me a new computer. If this happens at 123,000 kms what can I expect further down the road? I have the old computer, not sure what to do with it.
Dt: the contact states their check engine light is under a recall but their vehicle manufacturer states it is not. There are no other consequences that this has caused, the contact just wants the dealer to pay the bill so they can pass their state inspection.
Went to get an oil change today and the mechanic pulled the dipstick and discovered that the half of the plastic handle that the dipstick was attached to had broken off. We luckily were able to remove the dipstick from home with a pencil and tape, however this signifies a more common problem that this vehicle is made of shotty parts. I had to get a tune-up at 25,000 miles, my battery has corrosion problems that have been communicated multiple times to the dealer with no fix, and my computer died at 40,000 miles and had to be replaced. I will now have to purchase a dipstick since they used a shotty plastic part that corroded and broke. This seems to be a very common problem. It may not be a safety hazard, however, the manufacture needs to be held liable. Here is a link to many other nissan consumers who have had this same problem: http://www.broomeman.com/mt/archives/001156.html.
When my 2002 sentra was brought into habberstad nissan for a routine oil change, I was informed that the oil dip stick was broken and the bottom was stuck in the bottom. I was told by nissan that the oil pan had to be removed to get it out and that it would cost $290.00. I have an extended warranty and was also told that this was not covered under the warranty. The service person also mentioned that he has seen this problem on several 2002 sentras, however nissan has not acknowledged that this is a problem with the car. I have since seen several complaints regarding this same problem with the 2002 model. If anything, this should be covered under nissan's warranty and should probably be included as a recall for this problem. Nissan should resolve this problem at no cost to the consumer since there is obviously a problem with the plastic dipstick breaking apart.
Butterfly valve on the 2002 nissan sentra the car started to idle very rough while driving on the highway at 70 MPH. The check engine light came on & the engine vibration became worse. The car stalled & I was almost killed trying to get to the side of the road. I was able to restart the car & drive a few more miles to work. The car was then towed to the dealership where they found spark plug #1 smashed because a screw was found in the intake manifold. The dealer said there is no recall for this problem. The dealer replaced several parts within intake manifold. Nissan north america refuses to address the problems in the 2002 and 2003 models as I have attempted to work with them in a reasonable manner. This is a potentially fatal issue as noted in different individuals experience the same problems with engines catching on fire or car stalling and locking up in traffic. Interested in pursuing a class action lawsuit.
Dt*: the consumer stated while driving, the vehicle vibrated and jumped from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they determined the rack and pinion and power assist system needed to be replaced. *jb the head gaket was leaking, the driver side window was I noperative, the oil stick was broken. Updated 02/24/06.
Nissan sentra 2002 with less then 28000 ml has leaking engine head gasket and radiator and broken steering rack and pinion and steering power assist. Car was purchased new and never had an accident. Car is dangerous to drive - steering does not work. Nissan sold me a lemon car and refuses to repair it.
2002 nissan sentra engine light came on which was caused by the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor was replaced and still experienced the same problem. The vehicle also stalled while the vehicle was in motion. *ts the consumer requested a replacement of the ECM or for a recall to be issued. The computer showed a code for the throttle sensor.
In april of 2005 check engine light went on. Brought car to my mechanic and codes came up for my oxygen sensors. When sensors were replaced the codes would not go away and check engine light would not come off. He replaced them again and no change. In october 2005 my car stalled unexpectedly and after starting it up drove so bad I cannot drive car anymore. Brought car to dealer and would not explain what the problem was but did take care of all recalls (I never received recall info-found it online myself). My car still was running terrible so I brought it to my mechanic. A code came up for throttle sensor not to mention 5 other codes. He replaced throttle sensor and no difference in how car runs. Car now will stall in the middle of driving. I will not drive car for fear of an accident! Nick, a regional specialist said nissan will not look at car free of charge even though I have spent over $1500 on these problems. My own mechanic has done more for me than a company who says they are their toughest critic. I decided to look up info online and found 5 different complaints very similar to mine where the ECM was involved on this website. The company who manufactured ECM's to nissan states on their web page that ECM's installed in cars they provided ECM's to from 1989-2003 had a higher rate of malfunction. This website also explained what can happen when your ECM fails- 1. Warning light remains on; 2. Nonsense fault codes show up when reader is connected; 3. Vehicle breakdown w/o warning; 4. Erratic idle, stall at traffic/poor running & starting problems. These are just a few but how interesting these all are happening to my car. I believe 2002 nissan sentra's probably have an even higher rate of failure because of the recall to the ECM case holder. I believe this may cause problems to the ECM. Nissan should care enough about their customer and a human life to replace ECM's. Before a serious injury occurs or worse, if that hasn't happened yet.
Dt: 2002 nissan sentra. The contact stated vehicle stopped while driving at 45 MPH. The contact then coasted to the side of the road and vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealership; they state the ECM module failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. It is still at the dealership. The contact was trying to get nissan to fix the vehicle under recall campaign 03v477000. If the ECM failed the ignition module will not be replaced. The problem with the vehicle occurred on september 12, 2005.
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.
2002 nissan sentra computer (ECM) went bad and needed to be replaced.*mr the consumer received a recall notice on the ECM in 2004 but was unable to take the vehicle to dealer to have it correct due to work obligations. The recall stated that the engine may stop running due to contamination of the ECM by the inner lining material. While driving in may 2005 the consumer's vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the dash. The vehicle was towed to the local repair shop who determined that the ECM had failed. The consumer contacted the dealer about replacing the part free of charge. The dealer explained that the recall was only for the lining not the module and refused to replace the module for free. The consumer had the ECM replaced at his own expense.
Dt: 2002 nissan sentra. While driving on the highway the car shut off, took the car to a mechanic. Went on the nissan website and found two recalls, they were engine control module case holder and head lamp adjuster. Then, took car into dealership, they ran VIN # and they found three recalls, one was on the foam on the engine control module and the other two were unknown. One of the recalls would cause the vehicle to shut down or cut off. Took the car into the dealership on friday august 19, 2005. They did not repair due to warranty issues. Spoke to consumer affairs office of nissan and they said this car would not be fixed by nissan without cost. The car has not been repaired and it is still at the dealership.
2002 nissan sentra service engine soon light illuminated and the car stopped running.*mr the consumer experienced the same problem as stated in the recall notice.
2002 nissan sentra has problems with the check engine soon light illuminating on the dashboard.*mr
Nissan sentra 2002 the consumer experienced a squeaking noise from the engine. *bf the service department suggested that the noise was coming from the alternator assembly or cylinder next to it. The drive belt was adjusted due to looseness. The vehicle stayed quiet for three days then the noise started again. The weather could cause a glaze on the drive belt which caused noises. The belt was replaced. *sc
While driving, the vehicle cut off. There was a safety recall on the vehicle, and it was a taken to the closest dealer to get it repaired. After being repaired it was found that vehicle was still shutting off. *ak customer was charged for repair that was covered under recall notice. After paying for the service the engine light was still on. After four additional trips light finally went off. Electric tape was use to repair harness now car smells like something is burning while driving. *eh
Went to check the oil and the plastic dipstick had broken off and the dipstick has fallen down into the engine. Checking online for help on removal shows a number of people with the same problem.they want $156 dollars to fix a problem that nissan is aware of that could have been prevented with a new dipstick not made of plastic for $3.
While driving 70 MPH vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle restarted, and they continued on driving. Later, vehicle stalled again. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed consumer that the problem was a crankshaft sensor that was on recall. Consumer did not receive a recall notice. However, problem recurred.
When I went to get my oil changed the mechanic went to pull the dipstick out and since it is plastic and is located next to the manifold it dried out and broke. Now the metal part of the dipstick is stuck in the tube.
Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in recall 03v455000. However, consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Intermittently while driving at any speed and shifting any gear the vehicle stalled. The dealership inspected the vehicle 10 times on different occasions, and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak there were numerous probles with engine stalling, the maf had to be replace numerous times, the check engine and the reverse light did not work properly. (the wiring harness also repeated intermittent problems) the engine would stall when the clutch was depressed and when in neutral idling and when shifting the gears. The front speaker/tweeters made cracking noises. The cooling fan would come on when not activated. *sc
While driving the engine stopped running and the warning light illuminated. *mr the consumer was informed that the problem was a defective sensor. The engine light would go on and off intermittently with a series of stalling. *sc the consumer found information regarding a recall, however the dealer claimed they knew nothing about a recall.
Vehicle stalled while driving. Vehicle was then towed to the dealership, who performed the ECM material 03v477000 repairs. Vehicle stalled 20 times since recall repairs were performed. Dealership was unable to remedy the problem. Dealership indicated that they done all they could do, but were unable to find the cause of stalling.
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.
When driving at any speed vehicle stalled. *ak vehicle also intermittently jerk when shifting gears.
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.
Driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled.
While pulling inside of the garage, the vehicle stalled. Owner had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The mechanic informed the owner that the head gasket had blown and the engine will need to be replaced. Provide further details.
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