2002 Nissan Sentra Nissan Sentra 2002

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2002 Nissan Sentra repairs by problem area

Engine (51%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (12%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (1%)

Chart based on 91 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Nissan Sentra.

2002 Nissan Sentra repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (30%)

< $100 (42%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 76 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Nissan Sentra

Engine not specified

Nissan Sentra in Texas, United States
Nov 2008 - Mar 2010
Dec 2008

117000 mi

US $1050
Head gasket had to be changed. Dealer screwed up job and now the car loses oil. Took it to another dealer and the car is still with them, right now. 
Nissan Sentra in Arkansas, United States
Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012

120000 mi

US $90
The Header was out and also the a/c has a coolent leak so it ounly blowed hot air 
Nissan Sentra in Manitoba, Canada
Oct 2010 - Dec 2010
Nov 2010

68820 mi

C $60
Seized rear brake calipers had degraded brake pads. New pads required; calipers serviced but will need to be replaced in upcoming months. 

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2002 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Nissan Sentra in British Columbia, Canada
Dec 2009 - Jun 2018
Jul 2011

138540 mi
broke the maf 
Nov 2013

176700 mi

C $200
AC Radiator needed replacement 
May 2014

184140 mi

C $900
Replaced Pads and Drivers Side Rear Caliper due to Stuck Caliper. Radiator Replaced due to crack in cooling system Power Steering System Leak, High Pressure, Low Pressure to Reservoir and Cooling Coil All Replaced 
Apr 2015

196420 mi

C $316
Struts worn out, 316000kms on them, original to car 
Apr 2017

207080 mi

C $500
New pads, rotors and replacement caliper for failing siezed one 
Nissan Sentra in Alberta, Canada
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

50220 mi

C $6000
Nissan made crappy pre-cat converters which die within 80,000km of normal use and then kill the engine since particles get sucked back in. Be happy if yours died before end of warranty, otherwise you are S.O.L, it cost me $6,000 to repair 
Nissan Sentra in British Columbia, Canada
Jan 2017 - Apr 2017
Apr 2017

114080 mi

C $200
Replace rear calipers 
Nissan Sentra in New Jersey, United States
Mar 2010 - May 2010
May 2010

117000 mi
O2 sensor muffler clutch pump Engine started burning oil. repair costs not worth the trouble. Traded car in for new one. 
Nissan Sentra in Michigan, United States
- Jan 2010
Jan 2010

100500 mi

US $1800
Head gasket 
Nissan Sentra in Pennsylvania, United States
Feb 2007 - Jan 2023
Sep 2007

94000 mi

US $55
Purchased the car. Oil change, refilling transmission with gear oil, fixed a small oil leak from oil pan during oil change. No further repairs. 
Nov 2007

96000 mi

US $520
Car blew the ECM. Had car towed to my best friend's shop, removed ECM and ordered parts. Cost of parts was $450.00. Cost of re-program ECM was $50.00, done by another fellow. ECM case foams removed. Disassembly, installation and foam removal self-done. 
Feb 2010

113600 mi
Car had a P0507 code (Idle Control RPM Higher than Expected). Successfully performed Idle Re-Learn Procedure w/o Consult II as described in the FSM. Idle air and throttle position re-learned by ECM, and idle rpm was reset to OEM specs (750 rpm). 
Sep 2010

116000 mi

US $65
Thermostat got stuck, noticed unusual fluctuation of the temperature gauge while driving. Bought and replaced parts, problem solved successfully. 
Oct 2010

116200 mi

US $55
Car temperature started fluctuating in an unsusual manner after replacement of the thermostat. Testing pinpointed issue to water control valve on the water outlet. Ordered and replaced parts. Issue solved. 
Apr 2011

118200 mi

US $215
Header cracked at primary runners, unable to repair by welding the cracks. New header ordered (SR*S unit, $215), parts replaced, problem solved 
Jun 2012

123000 mi

US $1200
Installed new shocks and springs due to wear beyond their useful life. Car was not taking bumps as well as it used to. 
Aug 2012

123000 mi

US $500
Replaced rack and pinion due to leaks,  Replaced sway bar links due to wear, and upgraded sway bars and brake lines. 
Nov 2014

126000 mi

US $3000
Full engine rebuild in progress as of this date 
Jun 2015

126000 mi

US $3000
Engine rebuild completed. All internal components and all gaskets replaced. Block has been bored .020 over and has high compression pistons, upgraded rod, cams and valve springs. On break-in period as of now 
Jan 2016

126200 mi

US $200
Alternator stopped charging. Purchased one at a local parts store, replaced it, problem solved. 
Nissan Sentra in Kansas, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009

120000 mi

US $2400
Spun rod bearing and had the motor rebuilt.  
Nissan Sentra in Wyoming, United States
Mar 2002 - Jan 2020
Jul 2002

2805 mi
Cigarette lighter assembly and all speaker grilles replaced under warranty. 
Oct 2002

4922 mi
All speaker grilles and child seat anchor and cover all replaced under warranty. 
Jan 2004

14106 mi
Heater control assembly replaced and foam seals applied under warranty. 
Apr 2008

41800 mi

US $700
Crankshaft was replaced with a '07 QR25DE crankshaft. 
Nissan Sentra in Missouri, United States
Sep 2008 - Aug 2009
Oct 2008

117000 mi

US $140
The headgasket was leaking at cylinder 3. 
Aug 2009

140000 mi
piston slap, needs new engine/block 
Nissan Sentra in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2008 - Mar 2010
Dec 2008

76880 mi

C $500
Mass airflow sensor was corroded as a result of being immersed in water during a rainstorm. Sensor was replaced and moved to a drier location to keep in away from water. 
Nissan Sentra in Virginia, United States
Dec 2008 - Jun 2011
Jan 2009

74000 mi

US $100
Car cylinder rings are worn out and maybe leaking engine oil into the combustion chamber, causing excessive oil consumption. Have to fill 2qts every 400 miles. 
Dec 2010

99000 mi

US $214
Radiator started leaking. 

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2002 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan

165-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Nissan Sentra in Alberta, Canada
May 2010 - Jun 2012
Apr 2011

121520 mi

C $360
Replaced worn out front and rear struts 

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2002 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan

165-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Nissan Sentra in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2015 - Aug 2020
Jul 2015

94300 mi

US $400
Replaced back rotors, pads, and calipers. Calipers were rusted tight, not touching the rotor which caused the rotor to rust. Pads were good but replaced them anyway. Updated automatic transmission fluid and added transmission cleaner. Transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear, it is somewhat smoother but still noticeable. The center exhaust pipe rusted and broke off (right before the catalytic converter). Welded new one on and replaced. Replaced the license plate light. It was burnt out 
Sep 2015

96000 mi

US $1
The clip holding the temperature control wire, broke. Replaced with zip tie and tape 
Jun 2016

100000 mi

US $280
Catalytic converter replaced 
Sep 2016

102000 mi

US $6
Changed the driver side headlight 
Nov 2016

102900 mi

US $53
Driveshaft position sensor was not detecting the position any longer 
Mar 2017

105000 mi

US $120
Replaced the battery with a new one 
May 2017

107000 mi

US $200
Needed new front pads and rotors 
Apr 2018

114800 mi

US $120
Radiator top split causing the engine to overheat when hitting 2,500 RPM and above. Bought new radiator and replaced the old one. 

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2002 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Nissan Sentra in Wisconsin, United States
- Oct 2006
Jan 2003

7500 mi
Replace alternator belt 
May 2004

20000 mi
Replace temperature regulator for HVAC 
Oct 2006

65000 mi
Replace fan speed switch 
Nissan Sentra in New York, United States
Feb 2013 - Nov 2013
Apr 2013

97700 mi

US $760
timing chain replacement 
Nov 2013

105000 mi
Leaking head gasket 
Nissan Sentra in Texas, United States
Feb 2010 - Mar 2017
Apr 2010

128000 mi

US $60
New starter motor. Quick and easy repair. Had the horn replaced at the same time, it died after I hit a big puddle a little too quickly. 
Sep 2010

136000 mi
Water coming into the trunk. Been looking for the leak myself, pretty sure it is coming in from the seals around the top. Will continue to check this weekend. 
Nissan Sentra in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2008 - Oct 2010
May 2009

69440 mi

C $400
Master clutch cylinder broken. 
Nissan Sentra in British Columbia, Canada
Sep 2008 - Dec 2009
Jun 2009

55800 mi

C $58
Resonator failure. chunk of old Catalytic conver caught in resonator. unable to remove. required replacement 
Nissan Sentra in Indiana, United States
Sep 2009 - Jul 2015
Apr 2010

99300 mi

US $612
rack & pinion needed to be replaced; leaking; periodically lost "power" in power steering. 
Sep 2013

116000 mi

US $140
tie rod boots torn 
Jul 2014

117300 mi

US $25
tubing for windshield wiper fluid clogged; replaced tubing 
Aug 2014

117000 mi

US $335
replaced evap cannister; replaced wiper fluid tubes and nozzles 

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2002 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Nissan Sentra in Washington, United States
Jun 2015 - Mar 2017
Aug 2015

300400 mi

US $600
Needed front calipers and rotors replaced. 
Dec 2016

329000 mi

US $175
Replaced bad coil pack which was causing intermittent misfires. 
Nissan Sentra in Wisconsin, United States
Sep 2011 - Sep 2012
Oct 2011

US $700
Engine control module 
Nissan Sentra in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2012 - Apr 2017
Nov 2012

211100 mi

C $25
Adjusted parking brake cable. 
Apr 2014

239200 mi
pads, rotors and break caliper changed 
Oct 2016

276200 mi

C $75
Tail Pipe broke off the muffler. It was welded back on. 
Apr 2017

277760 mi
check engine light on for last few months; engine leaked oil, exhaust pipe leaky, rusty and very noisy  shifter solenoid failed, so needed use screwdriver to move shifter out of Park parking brake did not work failing suspension (undrivable on highway, because front too shaky) 
Nissan Sentra in Delaware, United States
Aug 2012 - May 2013
Sep 2012

90000 mi

US $75
fuel pump and regulator 
May 2013

97000 mi
The car was a piece of crap. I got tired of trying to diagnose its ailments. It was throwing random codes, different (almost) every time and would randomly not start. So we stopped driving it. 
Nissan Sentra in Nova Scotia, Canada
Feb 2013 - Jun 2018
May 2013

119660 mi

C $550
Car unable to start. Starter worked but no spark in cylinders. Broken wire somewhere between main fuse box and spark plugs 
Jun 2013

120900 mi

C $400
Exhaust system: crack near manifold, hole near catalytic convertor and broken hanging bracket 
Aug 2014

131180 mi

C $45
New turn signal light bulbs 
Feb 2015

137860 mi

C $440
Oil leak in head gasket Replaced Battery 
Jun 2015

144460 mi

C $600
Seized Calliper - callipers needed to be replaced and new rotors Fuel throttle body required to be cleaned 
Mar 2016

151280 mi

C $285
Loss of dashboard lights 
Aug 2016

153140 mi

C $180
Drive Belts replaced 
Jul 2017

158100 mi

C $600
Daytime running light module failure 
May 2018

174220 mi

C $300
Oil Dipstick corroded and needed to be replaced 
Nissan Sentra in Kansas, United States
Dec 2012 - Jul 2014
May 2013

139000 mi

US $10
Dipstick handle broke off. Bought new dipstick on ebay. Used dremel and needlenose to extract old dipstick. 
Nissan Sentra in Connecticut, United States
Apr 2015 - Dec 2015
Sep 2015

247000 mi
Catalytic converter, original, not in spec. Resonator pipe, original, rusted through. 
Dec 2015

247000 mi
Catalytic converter not in spec, resonator pipe rusted through. 

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2002 Nissan Sentra Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Nissan Sentra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.