2002 Nissan Sentra: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MD

Bought nissan brand new in 2002. This car is only 8 years old with 75,000 miles. First the car started jerking when it sits still at stop signs and traffic lights. Took the car to maintenance shop and paid to have the catalytic converter removed and replaced. However, after a few months, in april the car starts jerking again. Paid to have the ignition coils replaced by the dealership. Car engine light still on and car still jerking. Contacted nissan corporation and was told that the car was not under recall. Now the dealership replaces the egr valve and 02 sensor. Car engine light still on and car still jerking as if possessed as of august 20, 2010. Money, money and more money.

Filed Jun 4, 2008 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · KY

The accelerator freezes frequently. When it becomes unstuck, the car lurches either forward or backward depending on which gear it's in. I have had some near misses with other autos and structures.

Filed Jul 15, 2006 · Engine · MD

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.

Filed Jul 6, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 123,000 miles · 00

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.

Filed Apr 5, 2005 · Acceleration · MA

2002 gxe nissan sentra experiencing problems with acceleration.*mr when the accelerator pedal was pressed the vehicle would not accelerate. Once the consumer applied more pressure the vehicle would lurch forward. The vehicle was repaired twice but the problem recurred.

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Acceleration · 17,000 miles · LA

I have a 2002 nissan sentra gxe that was bought on september 29, 2001 as a brand new car. The gas pedal hardens and does not respond when my foot press on it after the car has been stationary at a stop sign or at a red light. A second foot press on the gas pedal gets the car going but it causes the car to jerk back and the back wheels to skid as though I was putting excessive force on the acceleration. This has been very dangerous for me especially in wet weather. I brought the car to the dealer when I find out that the problem does not associate with the fact that the car was new and has to be broken in. On two occasions, when I complained of the problem, the dealer technician found build up in the throttle chamber and manually cleaned out the throttle chamber. However, the above described problem kept coming back and has proven to be very dangerous for me on the road. I would like to know why there are build up in the throttle chamber, and I would like for the dealer to find a permanent solution to this problem.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 16,850 miles · NY

When driving at any speed vehicle stalled. *ak vehicle also intermittently jerk when shifting gears.

Filed Dec 24, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 11,900 miles · NY

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

Filed Apr 18, 2003 · Engine · VA

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.