2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 2.5L I4 from North America

Summary:

Good purchase value, lousy reliability

Faults:

Shift knob replaced due to excessive wear (warranty).

Shift boot replaced due to excessive wear (warranty).

Crank position sensor replaced (warranty).

Throttle position sensor/actuator replaced (warranty).

Replaced IAC valve (warranty).

Brakes warped at 18,000km and continue to cause trouble up to 60,000km; replaced discs with aftermarket drilled/slotted, big improvement.

Steering wheel assembly loose; required gasket replacement.

Throttle position sensor/actuator replaced (again, not on warranty).

Transmission grinding from 2nd to 3rd gear; syncro ring worn?

Interior blower resistor blown and replaced.

CD player no longer functioning; radio works OK.

Coolant temperature sensor replaced.

Intermittent stalling and power loss issues for the life of vehicle.

General Comments:

We'll I will say right off that this will be my last Nissan. Over 4 years of ownership enough has gone wrong and continues to go wrong on almost a weekly basis that it has turned me off this brand of car for good.

When I purchased the car it was a good value. The performance was really second to none in this price segment, especially the handling. Many nice upgrades that in 2002 one could only get by spending many more dollars.

For years I was overlooking the frequent recalls and problems because most of it was on warranty. However, I seem to be coming to the end of my rope with this vehicle.

One only has to search through the sentra comments here to read about the frequent stalling and power loss issues that many owners seem to be facing. And quite honestly, the frustration is in the diagnosis. If it was a problem that can be pinpointed and fixed, then we could be done with it. However, over the years I have brought the car in about every 6 months due to this issue not only to Nissan, but to other indepentent shops and usually a problem cannot be found or replicated. Its not uncommon that a Nissan dealer would keep the vehicle for 4 or 5 days and not be able to correct or diagnose the issue. What usually happens is "we'll, lets try this, but we can't guarantee anything". What? If Nissan can't figure it out, who can?

Its hard to believe that 2000 model year owners are having the same problems as 2004 model year owners. Nissan just can't seem to figure it out.

It's a bad PR move on Nissan's part. When I go to buy another car, I would really like the Altima SE-R, but why would I risk putting myself through this again. Once bitten, twice shy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd November, 2005

15th Sep 2006, 18:13

I also own a 2002 Sentra SE-R, it is the worst vehicle I've owned in my lifetime.

I've just had the engine replaced (failed 2K miles after warranty expiration), now the tranny is leaking.

I'm shocked how poorly this car is built, engine (QR25) is the worst.

Nissan has a problem with this model (also Altima) and the areas of concern are:

- Pre-cat located in the header will (not if, but when) break and the debris will get inside the engine scratching the cylinder walls (oil consumption at best)

- Butterfly screws haven't been properly tightened in the factory, and do fall into the combustion chamber (thru intake manifold).

- Transmissions are given to grind on 2-3 shift, with time R and 1 will grind as well.

- The trunk leaks.

This is just couple of common problems, stay away from this type or better yet brand.

2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Nissan Sentra has too many problems

Faults:

Rear speakers when purchased, they replaced the speakers however, they put the rear seat in wrong and if in an accident my daughter would have been killed.

Drivers Seat belt stop retracting at 10000 miles. Seat belt stop retracting at 50000 miles.

Transmission hesitates, we had a chirp in the trans at 5000 miles and they put an additive in it for a Maxima we still have shifting issues they can't find. Dealer: problem not found.

Drivers Seat at 10000 they bar in the seat came through first seat, second seat the back bends, third seat back bends, fourth set they refused to fix. Nissan: it's not a drivability issue. Although you sit crooked.

Radio at 36000 the left back of the radio shorted out and is not covered under warranty so we only have the right side speakers. Dealer: Cost of repair $845.00.

Plus the three recalls for the crankshaft sensor, front light and something to do with the exhaust.

Brakes have always squealed when first start out. We have replaced the front brakes at 36500 miles and 55000 miles when first start out. Dealer: No problem found.

The interior light has always worked at will. Whenever it wants to it works.

Dealer: No problem found.

Dealer rotated tires, when I had drivability problem they rotated them again and apparently put them back the original way. I have already had to replace all 4 tires.

Starter issues started when it wants to. Dealer: No problem found.

Drive pulley at 10000 miles my belt squeaked they put wd40 on it at 30000 took it in again they put wd40 on it.

At 36000 miles same thing. At 50000 we have found the problem by another car dealership, the drive pulley is going and has been.

Dealer: not under warranty.

General Comments:

Nissan Sentra I would not purchase again.

This is my second Sentra, but my third Nissan. Not a reliable car for us.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd October, 2005

12th Mar 2006, 10:20

This is my vehicle I wrote review and guess what I am paying for a paper weight. My car is still starting when it wants to, I have had so much money put into it its ridiculous. We have power just nothing happens when you turn on the ignition,. the fuel pump kicks in the radio, lights etc. work, but nothing happens I have had it in 5 times and each time they say its fixed. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK.