NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 333 owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Sentra. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (136) and electrical system (57). The EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sentra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 245 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2005 | 170 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 167 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 144 |
| 2011 | 142 |
| 2012 | 180 |
| 2013 | 638 |
| 2014 | 380 |
| 2015 | 352 |
| 2016 | 270 |
| 2017 | 231 |
| 2018 | 185 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 19 |
“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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS) AND 07V527000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REMEDY PERFORMED DUE TO THE NEAREST DEALER BEING 600 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT *TR”
“The contact called regarding the ownership of the 2002 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V008000 (Air Bags); and would like the address to be removed from the vehicle recall distribution list because the vehicle owner does not live at the contact’s address. The manufacturer was contacted.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| Sentra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Sentra Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Sentra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Sentra Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
14 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 333 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (136), electrical system (57), air bags (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Nissan Sentra at 22–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).