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2002 Nissan Sentra Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Nissan Sentra has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “ECM failure and ECM box foam lining recall.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Nissan Sentra.

Reported to NHTSA

ECM failure and ECM box foam lining recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

32 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2017-07

“AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE FOAM THAT COVERS THE ECM. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT THE FOAM TRAPS MOISTURE CAUSING THE ECM TO FRY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10254736
“I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FOAM SURROUNDING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE FOAM CAN CONTAMINATE THE ECM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10136760
“THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED A TROUBLE CODE WITHIN THE ECM. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463293

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Oil dipstick handle breaking off in tube

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2010-10

“THE DIPSTICK ON MY NISSAN SENTRA HAD A PLASTIC HEAD. TWICE, THE DIPSTICK HAS BEEN BROKEN BY A SERVICEMAN CHANGING THE OIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10244435
“WITH ONLY ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON THE NISSAN SENTRA, THE PLASTIC OIL DIP STICK BROKE OFF INSIDE THE TUBE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10205584
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK TUBE WOULD FRACTURE EVERY ONE TO TWO YEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10359617

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Throttle body screw and throttle response failures

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2010-03

“WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT A "POWER VALVE SCREW" HAD COME LOOSE AND WORKED ITS WAY INTO ONE OF MY CYLINDERS WHERE IT THEN PROCEEDED TO SMASH A SPARK PLUG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163433
“THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND SPARK PLUG #1 SMASHED BECAUSE A SCREW WAS FOUND IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10149350
“WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE GOING ABOUT 75 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10286382

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall with crankshaft or camshaft position sensor

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

26 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2020-03

“VEHICLE MOTOR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE CONTINUING TO COAST. VEHICLE ALSO STOPPED WHILE IDLING AT INTERSECTIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10342065
“THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2004. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10326893
“THE CONTACTED STATED THAT WHEN IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552268

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Pre-catalyst debris and excessive oil consumption

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

26 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2015-07

“THE CONSUMER STATED UNBURNED FUEL IS BURNED IN THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE UNBURNED FUEL WAS BURNED IT CAUSED DISINTEGRATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229577
“LAST FEBRUARY, I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317705
“THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL, CAUSING THE PISTON RINGS TO WEAR DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10226491

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag inflator recall notification and repair access

AIR BAGS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2026-02

“THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10896944
“THEY INSPECTED THE AIRBAG INFLATOR, SAID IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11166077
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816795

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in collisions

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2005-12 → 2012-07

“I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10464756
“MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10167535
“AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING REAR-END HIGH SPEED IMPACT ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10145778

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

220 crashes 1990–2024

How the 220 occupant deaths break down

158

driver deaths

59

passenger deaths

3

not recorded by seat

220

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Nissan Sentra reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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