2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V review from North America

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.

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.