Federal safety advisory

Do not drive this vehicle until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2002 Nissan Sentra

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 374 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V747000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 3,930
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-12-01
Owners notified: 2021-01-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 307,962
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-01-09
Owners notified: 2020-02-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V287000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 1,090,569
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-15
Owners notified: 2015-06-15

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V527000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 653,910
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-11-14
Owners notified: 2007-12-31

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Safety risk

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V511000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 70
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-10
Owners notified: 2003-12-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V455000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 630,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-17
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V477000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 276,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-14
Owners notified: 2003-12-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.

Safety risk

IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V084000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component: Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 338,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-03-11
Owners notified: 2003-07-28

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.

Safety risk

EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V056000

Unknown or other

Component: Unknown or other
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 9,640
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-02-15
Owners notified: 2002-03-18

Defect description

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN-APPROVED ACCESSORY FLOOR MAT THAT WAS INSTALLED EITHER AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR BY THE DEALER, DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT, A SMALL AMOUNT OF MAT MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE THE MAT TO INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOT ALLOW THE PEDAL TO RELEASE AFTER IT IS DEPRESSED.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT AND IF IT IS A NISSAN FLOOR MAT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V376000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component: Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 81,393
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-12-12
Owners notified: 2002-01-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE MISSING TAMPERPROOF CAPS THAT PREVENT HORIZONTAL HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT.

Safety risk

THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TAMPERPROOF CAP OVER THE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT SCREW FOR BOTH HEADLAMPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling	67	79,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	40	53,260 mi
Electrical system	30	79,300 mi
Air bags	27	60,000 mi
Engine	27	120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	17	86,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	14	61,000 mi
Unknown or other	12	27,885 mi
Power train: manual transmission	9	20,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	8	23,900 mi
Power train	7	124,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	6	17,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	5	75,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	5	108,000 mi
Tires	5	28,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	72,037 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	4	16,850 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	4	26,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid	4	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	4	26,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	3	24,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	28,593 mi
Structure	3	70,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	2	7,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	35,023 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	20,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	45,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	2	29,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	99,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	2	40,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	36,654 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	110,000 mi
Suspension: front	2	128,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	35,920 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	79,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	46,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	52,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	18,903 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	112,000 mi
Equipment	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	7,204 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	7,204 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	20,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	89,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	97,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	17,900 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	120,000 mi
Interior lighting	1	9,186 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	—
Parking brake: conventional	1	9,186 mi
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	53,000 mi
Service brakes	1	—
Service brakes, electric	1	7,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	41,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	120,990 mi
Steering	1	72,108 mi
Steering: column	1	—
Steering: electric power assist system	1	26,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	1	—
Structure: body	1	5,153 mi
Structure: body: door	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	13,000 mi
Suspension	1	30,000 mi
Visibility	1	7,204 mi
Wheels	1	120,990 mi
Wheels: rim	1	120,990 mi

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.