VehicleVerdict

2002 Nissan Sentra electrical system problems

The 2002 Nissan Sentra has 60 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

60

Electrical System complaints

15%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Sentra electrical system complaints by model year69 complaints1984: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 15 complaints1993: 9 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 11 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 14 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 50 complaints2002: 60 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 12 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 58 complaints2011: 50 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 46 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 54 complaints2017: 38 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 42 complaints2021: 38 complaints2022: 24 complaints2023: 8 complaints2024: 7 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Sentra electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V477000Electrical SystemNovember 14, 2003 · 276,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

What owners report

“I AM A PROFESSIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THIS VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED WITH THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE BURN PATTERNS CLEARLY INDICATE THIS TO BE THE AREA OF ORIGIN AND THE SUPPORTING BURN PATTERNS INDICATE THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. EVEN THOUGH THIS RECALL DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 26, 2002 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2002 Nissan Sentra have?

NHTSA has 60 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Sentra electrical system — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Nissan Sentra electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 03V477000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.