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.
For over 100 000km of ownership, this is not all that bad.
Well... for a Nissan I would expect a lot more tho take this for example.
We owned a Chrysler Cirrus 1996 for 6 months...
Between it had under 50000km.
In order
Tranny, brakes, electric windows, tranny, electric doors ac.
Go see VW Jetta Reviews...
Your Sentra has not let you down yet.
I am considering buying one...
My Reliable Hyundai Elantra who never gave me an issue in my 1 and a half year of ownership (86000km to 105000km) just got smashed today by a Buick (while I was parked)
I want a 2002 Sentra SE R.
4 doors like my Hyundai
manual
Sunroof
180hp.
Sounds rather perfect for my taste.
(I won't get it if I see multiple negative reviews to... I take what you said seriously, but if you're the only one, I will blame poor driver)
Considering the 180hp and good looks... this car might have been abused...
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.
Yes my trunk leaks too!!! I have a 2002 Nissan Sentra ser specV, and I'm hearing this knocking sound in my engine when I rev it; I dunno what it is. I'm thinking of getting an aftermarket header for it (to fix the header-cat thing).
I purchased a 2002 Nissan Sentra SER spec V over a year ago, and have had problems almost immediately. The first problem was with the computer. According the technician at the Nissan dealer the computer had malfunctioned and had to be replaced. They replaced the computer at no cost.
Not long after that the car would not start. We thought it was the battery so we replaced the battery. That didn’t help so I had it towed the shop. The mechanic told us that it was the crank sensor and replaced the crank sensor (no warranty).
We are now experiencing what the mechanic called “limp” mode. While the car is in motion the throttle goes to idle and has almost caused us be involved in a wreck several times. I now have the car scheduled to go back to the Nissan shop for evaluation. Oh yea by the way the mechanics cannot figure out why this is happening, they think throttle sensor, computer or even a ground.
So now I have to pay the mechanic to pull the code, which he cannot be sure if he can fix. No I will have to pay Nissan again to pull the code and repair. I love Nissan products, but I’m starting to have my doubts.
I am finding out now why this car has so many bad reviews. After looking at all of your reviews it has dawned on me that I didn't just buy a "lemon". I am having all of the same problems listed above, I have already gone through one engine that was replaced at 106 000 kms due to excessive oil consumption, and now with only 46 000 kms on the new engine it is still going through 2 quarts between oil changes. I am also experiencing what has been described above as stalling and power failure when the car should be idling. Has anyone found a fix for this? Why has Nissan ignored all of these reviews?
I have also encountered problems with stalling and power failure in my 2002 Sentra. It started three weeks ago (I have almost 65,000 miles on the car - good condition, regularly maintained) and I have brought it to two independent shops and the Nissan dealership twice. I brought it to the Nissan dealership for the first time three weeks ago and after leaving it there for a few days, they told me that they couldn't find a thing. I then went to pick up the car and drove it for a day and a half before the problems started again. After bringing it to another shop that also told me they couldn't figure the problem out, it was towed back to Nissan last week and has been there since. Two days ago they told me that the mass airflow sensor is to blame and they promised me the part would be delivered and replaced first thing today. Sad to say that I still don't have the car back as the part that was delivered today was "bad". Even sadder is that they did not call me right away to advise me of this problem, it was only until I called them about an hour before they closed to check in on the car that they let me know. They tell me they will get a new part in on Saturday - I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have never had a problem with the Sentra until now, but it's safe to say I won't own another Nissan.
I own a 2002 Spec V and I also have had the same problem, but I found out that the two major problems causing the stalling and power loss are the mass airflow sensor and the throttle position sensor. I also replaced the header with an after market one; OBX Racing, 150 bucks. The car is running better than when I got it.
No other problems have come up.
Oh yeah, replacement of both sensors was very expansive as the car was no longer under warranty.
Hi people, I also am a Spec V owner, and have never had any problems with my baby. My car is mint, and daily I drive it hard; every gear redlines and she does me proud.
The problem is how you drive them.
I own a 2002 SE-R Spec V I bought used a year and a half ago from a Nissan dealership. It had 47,000 miles on it and I found out its previous owner was a woman.
The first year was good. But then I started encountering a plethora of problems. The trunk leaks. My interior light/sunglasses compartment is falling down, my gas cap holder broke, and oh yeah - I had to replace the engine at 59,000 miles much like many other owners have had to.
I am not sure what is going on, but all I know is that I am out $4,000 and I want to know why I am not the only person to have this problem and not be compensated for it.
I took the car in because it was having power failure problems. Almost caused a few accidents. The service guy said the problems sounded like recall work. I was happy to hear that. But the next day, after I called him back three times, he tells me it only had "less than a quart of oil in it and when they filled it with oil it smoked up my shop and the engine was making noise."
A) The last oil change had been less than 2800 miles, and
B) I am careful to look for leaks and saw none.
I never deemed it necessary to check the oil. No lights came on, the temp gauge never budged. Only the day before I took it in did I hear the engine 'clinking.' I never imagined it was lack of oil - I figured it was the timing chain. The car limped to the dealership. I actually barely made it. The crew was rude, insensitive and acted like it was my fault the engine went. I suspect ulterior motives and I intend to prove them through research and consulting with my lawyer.
My Check Engine light came on a few times, but would go off. Then back on. Then off again about a week before I got there. Since the engine replacement, it does the same damn thing. Nissan sucks.
Now I have strange noises coming from the front left wheel. There is something funny going on. I have never had this much bad luck with a car. The guys at the shop seem fishy. I am going to fix it, then sue Nissan, and sell the car to the lowest bidder.
I had an Eclipse before that was awesome until I totaled it. I will never buy another Nissan or Infiniti as long as I live. Too bad because the G37 Coupe looks awesome. I am not the only one to have these problems. Research will help me beat my $4,000 out of them.
I also have a 2002 nissan sentra speecv. I remember buying the car thinking that this car was amazing, it handled like a dream and was fast as hell, but about a week after having the car it started to not start on the first crank and my throttle would just stop while I was going down the road so I took it to nissan and they told me it was the throttle positioning sensor soon after having that replaced the egine blew do to oil consumption and cost me 4000 for a new one and the same sensor has went out for a second time and I'm refusing to pay for it this should be a recall and advise not to buy a specv unless you are whiling to spend a lot on repairs.
I am looking at buying a 2002 sentra spec v and at first I was excitd about the car. It has 44,300 miles on it and has never had any damage or trouble. The owners are the original owners and are asking $8500. I have asked many questions and I am going to test drive this weekend.
What should I look for or inspect on my test drive?
Is this a good deal for the car?
Should I buy the car?
I live in south louisiana, and the vehicle is in mint condition.
Could someone please e-mail their comments. I am very worried about the vehicle, so all feedback will be greatly appreciated...
My e-mail address is jude.pisciotta@selu.edu.
I own a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE and like all the others I have had nothing, but problems.
- Radio went and had to be replaced twice.
- Speakers cut in and out and they can't find the problem.
- Engine replaced at 81,000 km due to leaking oil (under warranty)
- Back rear caliper seized (replaced under warranty)
- Loss of power while turning the corner - took it in and they couldn't find any problems.
I am now selling the car before anything else goes wrong and will NEVER buy another Nissan. In comparison Hondas\Acuras (which I have owned 3 previously), are 10 times better made, hold their value better and don't have such bad reputations as Nissan's. My father use to own a '94 Nissan Altima and it as well had to have the stereo replaced multiple times and had wiring problems and eventually was smoking out of the vents, he soon later sold it too.
Any advice I could give is to not buy a Nissan, I also have had horrible service from the dealership. If you want what you pay for, buy a Honda, Acura or Toyota!!!
I bought a 04 sentra ser spec v back in may. Two days after I got it I noticed the "service engine soon" light was on. I took it to the lot I got it from, they diagnosed it as an idle problem- the idle bounces around between 750 and 1250 rpm. Interstingly the light went off and the idle was normal for about day when I left the lights on and killed the battery and had to get a jump. This is the only problem I have had.
I have a 1994 nissan sunny and it has gone 290000km.it has the same engine and I have fixed the transmission only once, it drives like a brand new car. i will part company with her with a heavy heart.
Most recent issue was supposedly my fuel pump making whining noise that started when cold temperatures began again. They replaced the fuel pump and cleaned injectors, and I still have a whine.
My SER Spec V is on the second engine. Engine one blew a head gasket and was replaced. Then they found the oil consumption problem and replaced the engine under warranty.
I have had one alternator go, starter motor, CD deck.
Light on new in dash head unit is out again. Some of my speakers cut out only when I listen to the in dash CD changer. The speakers are fine when I'm playing the single Cd deck or radio.
I blow headlight bulbs more frequently than I should, and I do handle them correctly upon installation.
My tailgate leaks. Weather stripping on the driver side lets a bit of water in as well.
My seat belt grommet comes off every time I have them replace it. The seat belt tensioners don't work right.
Sport cloth seats stain too easily, even with rain water that has run off my jacket. The side of the seat has worn badly.
Could my fuel pump problem actually be an electrical problem that is causing the fuel pump to fail? Could it be the ECM, which now has another recall on it?
Even my floor mats were recalled.
The thing is paid off and has 82,000 miles on it. Maybe 15,000 on engine 2. It is no longer under warranty. Am I playing Russian roulette with it at this point? I would really like a mid size truck as my next vehicle, and like the looks of the Frontier, but I don't know if I can do another Nissan. It's a shame cause I do enjoy driving my car, when it's not in the shop.