2004 Nissan Sentra: engine failure

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Engine · 101,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan sentra. While driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle engine failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that camshaft position sensor code 0335 failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 148,753 miles · MN

I was driving east on i494 near a major interchange, in very heavy traffic. I was in the center lane going approximately 60-65 MPH when my engine suddenly quit. I quickly checked the lane on my right and it was clear so I moved over and onto the shoulder. My brakes and steering were going quickly, but I was able to bring the car to a full stop next to the guard rail. I was right next to a two-lane exit to i35, where the traffic was flying past me; several cars almost ran into me, with one extremely distracted driver crossing the line onto the shoulder and heading right at me. If he had not looked up in time I doubt I would be here to report this. I was able to get a tow truck, but traffic was not even slowing or yielding for the tow truck driver. It was an extremely dangerous situation. While waiting for a tow, I was able to restart my car after about 10 minutes, but was too afraid to try driving it in those traffic conditions. The repair shop I went to diagnosed a faulty o2 sensor caused by a leaky flex pipe and wanted over $800 to replace the pipe w/ catalytic converter, gaskets, o2 sensor. And spark plugs. Since my car would start but I did not trust it, I decided to drive home (25 miles) by city streets and back roads. On the way the engine again failed while waiting for a light to change. After 10 minutes it started and I was able to get home. I took it to my mechanic, who fixed the flex pipe. A few days later the engine died again and restarted after another harrowing wait on the side of the road. This time the car gave a code for the crankshaft sensor, which my mechanic replaced. Since then my car has not quit while driving, but does hesitate and I am afraid while driving it. I may have my mechanic replace the camshaft sensor as well, since that is also a known issue. I am supposed to move to california, but don't trust my car to make the trip safely.

Filed May 27, 2013 · Engine · 55,481 miles · WA

I purchased a used nissan sentra ser spec-v, from a private party on 5/8/13. I was driving 70 MPH, about 6 miles down the freeway, from where I purchased the car, when the engine died. The check engine light came on, and I was able to coast over to the shoulder and stop, while smoke flowed out from under the hood. The car was towed 25 miles to a mechanic I trust. The gears in the counter balancer assembly blew apart, clogging an oil screen, not allowing oil to the cylinders, and threw a rod. I mentioned I had heard about issues with the crank position sensors on these cars, and replaced it as well. $2428.90, plus a $200 tow. On 5/13/13, I went to a local nissan dealer to see if there were any recalls on my car, and was told not for my VIN numbers. I got the car back on 5/23, and have driven it less than 100 miles when on 5/26/13, going 40 MPH, it suddenly died again. I cost to the side of the road and stopped. No lights came on or any signs of the problem. I tried 6-8 times to start it. I got out and opened the hood to see if anything looked funny,went back again to start it and it turned right on. The odometer is 55,571. I look on this website and see 100 other complaints of sentras randomly shutting off. This problem is unacceptable, next time my car dies, there might not be a safe place to pull over to, or without power steering and brakes, I am likely hit someone.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Engine · 144,394 miles · CA

I believe that the engine is unsafe due to a design flaw with the vehicle. The engine blew 2 head gaskets twice. The first time at ~40000 miles, the second at ~144000 miles. The damage was severe enough that the engine had to be replaced on the second incident. Both cases there was no indicaiton of any issues till the incident other than the heater stopped working. None of the gauges showed any difference from normal operation.

Filed Jun 9, 2011 · Engine · 83,742 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan sentra. While the contact was driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled unexpectedly without warning. The contact was able to coast to his residence. The engine failed to restart even though there were several attempts; however; within three days the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they detected that the ECM box corroded as a result of water accumulation. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The failure mileage was 83,742.

Filed Aug 30, 2008 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NJ

While driving my car at slow speeds the engine died. This resulted in reduction in steering and braking ability. No accident or injury occurred though. Engine would crank, but not spark plugs would not fire, so car could not be started and had to be pushed to the curb to get it out of traffic. Car was towed to mechanic who replaced the camshaft timing detector and reprogrammed the computer which solved the problem. Old part was disposed.

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Engine · 5,000 miles · TN

Check engine light came on right after I purchased car -dealer kept the car for a few months and check engine light problem repaired...came on again and again and again-dealer kept saying they repaired the problem but I needed a new motor 10/2007 -the car stayed at the dealer until 1/2008 that is when I could pay the $5800. Cost of a new motor (est was $2400.00) check engine light came on again 6/2008 dealer repaired -sd "needed computer update"-check engine light on again and running ragged again 7/30/08. I want to be reimbursed for the engine replacement and for nissan to buy the car back at trade in value and I will never purchase another nissan.