MyCarTSB

2004 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

80 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

80
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2008Dec 2013
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #06V242000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner Complaints (80)

highENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2022

Your engine started running rough and the car shook while driving at about 20 mph, and the engine wouldn't respond when you pressed the gas pedal. The car then stalled and wouldn't restart, requiring a tow home. No warning lights appeared on your dashboard before this happened.

NHTSA #: 11459124
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2016

IN THE MORNING, CAR TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. IN AFTERNOON, AFTER HAVING SAT FOR AN HOUR, IT WAS AGAIN HARD TO START. DROVE APPROX. 1/2 MILE ACROSS HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT, SLOWED AND CAR STALLED. RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, DROVE APPROX. 1/4 MILE AND CAR STALLED AS I SLOWED AGAIN PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO PARKING SPACE. WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL LEFT SIT FOR APPROX. AN HOUR.

NHTSA #: 10907200
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2016

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN STARTING & STALLS OUT OR SHUTS DOWN WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A HALT. IF LET TO SIT FOR A WHILE IT WILL RESTART, BUT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. CRANK SENSOR REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL FLUIDS. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED FOR CODES, BUT NOTHING SHOWS UP. CAR WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED IN LATE MAY 2016. VENDOR REPAIRED SEVERAL ITEMS,BUT NOW CAR IS OUT OF VENDOR WARRANTY.

NHTSA #: 10906318
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2016

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN 2015 THE CAR ENGINE WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND ME AFTER HE PULLED OVER AFTER TEN MINUTES OR SO AND THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, WE CANCELLED THE TOW AND HE RETURNED HOME BUT NEAR THE HOME THE CAR STALLED OUT AGAIN. WE MANAGED TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND DROVE IT TO A FIRESTONE REPAIR SHOP WHICH CHARGED US 280.89 DOLLARS FOR A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. NISSAN RECALLED A CRANK ANGLE SENSOR FOR THE 2.5 L BUT WE HAVE THE 1.8 L ENGINE.

NHTSA #: 10905968
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2016

DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE (REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JUL 07, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V242000 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ) AS A RESULT THE ENGINE HAS OVER HEATED AND NOW HAS OTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA #: 10892550
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

MY CAR USUALLY TAKES TWO TRIES TO START. AFTER IT WARMS UP AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING, IT STALLS SUDDENLY, AND I'M STRANDED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. WHEN IT DOES START UP AGAIN, IT GOES A SHORT DISTANCE, AND AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP AGAIN, IT STALLS AGAIN. TODAY IT STALLED ON THE WAY HOME, THREE TIMES, IN LESS THAN 4 MILES. I WAS LEFT SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOPING I WOULDN'T GET HIT. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT STALLING WHEN I PULL OUT IN FRONT OF OTHER TRAFFIC TO CROSS A ROAD. I AM AT RISK OF A CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS. IT HAS STALLED WHIIE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND ON RURAL ROADS. ONE NIGHT IT STALLED OVER A DOZEN TIMES AS I WAS PASSING THROUGH A BAD AREA OF TIME TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. NISSAN IS GOING TO COST SOMEBODY THEIR LIFE IF THEY DON'T GET ON THIS AND FIX EVERY NISSAN THAT IS EXHIBITING THESE KINDS OF SUDDEN STALLS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SUMMER 2015 AND IS GETTING FAR WORSE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS FORM IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE IT IS FORCING A ONE DATE LIST FOR PROBLEMS AND THIS IS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS TO UPLOAD, I JUST SIT IN THE CAR AND WAIT FOR IT TO FINALLY START AGAIN.

NHTSA #: 10850319
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE ENGINE RPM'S REVVED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA #: 10846452
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CODE 0335 FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA #: 10807465
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2015

MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA HAS JUST FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING FOR THE 3RD TIME. THE PAPERWORK I RECIEVED SAYS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS DETERIORATING FASTER THAN ANTICIPATED AND TURNING ON THE MIL. ALSO, THAT THE OWNER WAS NOTIFIED DEC. 5, 2005 HOWEVER, I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR UNTIL 2014.

NHTSA #: 10722599
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 38 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ06001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA #: 10690659
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ACTIVATED AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA #: 10680007
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2014

WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD TRAVELING AROUND 25 MPH AND ENGINE STALLED OUT OF THE BLUE THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES CAR FINALLY CRANKED BACK UP. BUT WHEN IT DID THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON HAD IT CHECKED AND IT CAME BACK AS A BAD CAM SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10648323
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS,THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST DISPLAYED A CODE OF P0335, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA #: 10632796
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2014

MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR JUST LOST POWER & STOPPED. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ON AN 8-LANE VERY BUSY ROAD IN A MIDDLE LANE. AT THE FIRST MOMENT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER IT SAID THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR & CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME $ 376.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS. I READ ONLINE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING TO MY MODEL AND THERE WAS A RECALL OF SOME. MY CAR IS A 1.8 MODEL, BUT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE EXACT MALFUNCTION HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED FOR EXAMINATION. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10566294
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2013

IN JULY OF 2011 MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V HAD SOME ISSUES. I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND HAD LIGHT BLUE SMOKE COME OUT OF MY EXHAUST WHILE ACCELERATING AND HAD BEEN STARTING TO NOTICE BAD OIL AND FUEL CONSUMPTION. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SEARCHED FOR ANY OPEN RECALLS ON MY SPECIFIC CAR BASED ON RUNNING MY VIN NUMBER INTO THE DATABASE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. AFTER HOOKING UP A CODE SCANNER TO MY CAR THEY FOUND THE FOLLOWING CODES, P0420 (CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD), P0302(CYLINDER #2 MISFIRE), P0303( CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE) DURING THE DIAGNOSIS THEY SAID THAT THE PRE-CAT (EXHAUST MANIFOLD) HAD COME APART AND THE MATERIAL INSIDE HAD GLOGGED MY EXHAUST SYSTEM AND GOTTEN SUCKED BACK INTO MY CYLINDERS AND SCORED THE CYLINDER WALLS. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD ALSO FOUND VALVE DAMAGE AND EVEN FOUND SOME OF THE CAT MATERIAL IN MY OIL. NISSAN WAS KIND ENOUGH TO REPLACE MY ENGINE BLOCK AND THE PRE-CAT MANIFOLD AS WELL AS MY SECONDARY CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN THAT NISSAN HAD ISSUED. SO HERE I AM A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS LATER AND GUESS WHAT? IT CAME BACK. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME SYMTOMS AS BEFORE. I TOOK MY CAR BACK INTO THE SAME NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN WITHOUT CHARGING ME. THEY REFUSED BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER A PART OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND IT IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY WITH ITS 105,000 MILES. SO, I ASK THEM, WHY DID THEY FIX IT THE FIRST TIME? THEIR RESPONSE WAS, AND I QUOTE, "IT WAS A COURTESY" TO WHICH I SAID, "HMMM, SO YOU GUYS DO A COURTESY FIX FOR OVER $3,000 WORTH OF WORK FOR A CAR THAT SUPPOSEDLY "ISN'T" PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN?" - THEY DIDNT HAVE MUCH TO SAY AFTER THAT OTHER THAN MY BEST BET IS TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP AS WELL. THIS CAR IS A TRAP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10557504
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLUE SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND SYSTEM. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME HESITANT UPON ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,700.

NHTSA #: 10554839
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2013

NISSAN 2004 SENTRA 1.8S HAD THE IDENTICAL ISSUE AS THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. AFTER DRIVING FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY SENSOR LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE CAR TURNED OFF INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND SAFELY STOP THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT APPEAR TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE SO I LET THE CAR SIT FOR TWO MINUTES AND I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BEFORE CALLING AAA. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THE CODE CAME BACK CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT AND NOT DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. A FAULTY SENSOR SHOULD NOT CAUSE A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10525917
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2013

I PURCHASED A USED NISSAN SENTRA SER SPEC-V, FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON 5/8/13. I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, ABOUT 6 MILES DOWN THE FREEWAY, FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP, WHILE SMOKE FLOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS TOWED 25 MILES TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. THE GEARS IN THE COUNTER BALANCER ASSEMBLY BLEW APART, CLOGGING AN OIL SCREEN, NOT ALLOWING OIL TO THE CYLINDERS, AND THREW A ROD. I MENTIONED I HAD HEARD ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS ON THESE CARS, AND REPLACED IT AS WELL. $2428.90, PLUS A $200 TOW. ON 5/13/13, I WENT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR, AND WAS TOLD NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBERS. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON 5/23, AND HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 100 MILES WHEN ON 5/26/13, GOING 40 MPH, IT SUDDENLY DIED AGAIN. I COST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. NO LIGHTS CAME ON OR ANY SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM. I TRIED 6-8 TIMES TO START IT. I GOT OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE IF ANYTHING LOOKED FUNNY,WENT BACK AGAIN TO START IT AND IT TURNED RIGHT ON. THE ODOMETER IS 55,571. I LOOK ON THIS WEBSITE AND SEE 100 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SENTRAS RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS UNACCEPTABLE, NEXT TIME MY CAR DIES, THERE MIGHT NOT BE A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER TO, OR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, I AM LIKELY HIT SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10513675
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

THE CAR COULD BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD THEN IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10508210
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA #: 10496276
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA #: 10475657
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CORE SENSOR WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA #: 10466679
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM THAT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY STARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. ...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF

NHTSA #: 10461637
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

I BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINE IS UNSAFE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BLEW 2 HEAD GASKETS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT ~40000 MILES, THE SECOND AT ~144000 MILES. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE SECOND INCIDENT. BOTH CASES THERE WAS NO INDICAITON OF ANY ISSUES TILL THE INCIDENT OTHER THAN THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. NONE OF THE GAUGES SHOWED ANY DIFFERENCE FROM NORMAL OPERATION. *TT

NHTSA #: 10459216
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK AND MY ENGINE STARTED TO MISS FIRE. ABOUT HALF WAY HOME ON THE PULASKI BRIDGE MY CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION AS I DRIVE A STICK SHIFT CAR. I STILL NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL MISFIRING SO BEFORE I DROVE THREW THE HOLLAND TUNNEL I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I GAVE IT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR AND IT DIDN'T SOUND AS BAD SO I CONTINUE ON TO MANHATTAN. I GOT ABOUT THREE BLOCKS FROM MY HOME AND CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME IT HAD A ENGINE LIGHT. I PARKED MY CAR WENT HOME AND GOT MY OBD2 READER AND FOUND A CODE P0301 CYLINDER ONE MISFIRE. I PULLED THE PLUG TO FIND IT WAS IN CLOSED POSITION, SO I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS ENGINE HAS BUTTERFLY SCREWS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT COME LOOSE AND CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN AND WAS CHARGED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM I MYSELF AM A MECHANIC SO I REMOVED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO FIND I WAS MISSING A SCREW FROM THE BUTTERFLY ABOVE CYLINDER 1. NISSAN CORPORATE WAS CALLED AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS COME OUT OF THIS. I NEED HELP PLEASE.

NHTSA #: 10458757
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2011

MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO TURN ON THE CAR I HAVE TO TRY 2 OR 3 TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO TURN. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL TURN ON BUT IT WILL NOT, THEREFORE I HAVE TO CONTINUE TURNING THE KEY AND TRY AGAIN. SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR WILL NOT RESPONSE, IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO DO SO. *TR

NHTSA #: 10438528
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNLESS THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES, AND DURING THE FAILURE MOST OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER :06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUGGESTED THAT THE EXTREME HEAT ADVISORY MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,379.

NHTSA #: 10415044
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2011

I OWN A NISSAN SENTRA 2004 1.8. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 48,7000 MILES,ON FEB 2010 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON,I CHECKED ANG GAVE ME A CODE THAT SAID RANDOM MISFIRE,THEN I REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND I NOTICE #2 WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS,SO I REPLACED THE COIL TOO ON #2.CAR WAS KIND A SHAKING WHEN STARTING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 TO 8 SECONDS AND THEN WOULD RUN FINE.I CLEAR THE CODE AND STAYED OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AND COME BACK ON FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS,AFTER 3 OR 5 MONTHS WHEN OFF FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS AND THEN CAME BACK AGAIN,I REPLACED SPARK PLUG #2 AND FOUND SOME ANTIFREEZE SMELL ON THE BAD SPARK PLUG I PULLED OUT,CAR STILL DOES THE SAME BUT NOW I NOTICED I LOOSING ANTIFREEZE,BUT THERE IS NO EXTERNAL LEAKS,TALKING TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IS COMMON ON THIS CARS WITH THIS MILEAGE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM,BUT I DON,T AGREED,IT HAS TO BE SOME KIND A THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME CAR. IF I WANT TO BUY ANOTHER CAR I AM VERY SURE IT WON,T BE A NISSAN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT THE BUILT. 06/29/2011 KIRKLAND WA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10409991
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2011

ON 6/10/11 WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I COULD NOT GO NO FASTER THAN 30 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY INTO THE #3 CYLINDER AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE UNREMOVABLE. THEY SAID THAT ONE OF SPARK PLUGS WERE FUSED INSIDE THE CYLINDER. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT THE SAME DEALER IN APRIL 2010. AT A COST OF $1002.08 THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE EXTRA $800.00 TO FIX THE SPARK PLUG PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED OTHER THAN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE READ ON HERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND CARS LOSING POWER. MY SENTRA HAS 128,900 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I KEEP MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS AND KEEP UP WITH THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. SINCE THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE. IF I HAD BEEN IN THE INTERSTATE (WHICH I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THIS HAPPENED 20 MILES LATER) I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER OR AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10409271
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER; WITHIN THREE DAYS THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE ECM BOX CORRODED AS A RESULT OF WATER ACCUMULATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,742.

NHTSA #: 10405706
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,700.

NHTSA #: 10386318
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

CAR ENGINE STALLS WHILE RUNNING.. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED I AM DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORK SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. ONCE PULLED OVER I TURN THE KEY OFF AND START THE CAR BACK UP AGAIN AND IT WORKS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED A REPEATED NUMBER OF TIMES. I AM SURE IT IS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR OR ECM LIKE THE 2006 RECALL OF THE ALTIMA'S AND SENTRAS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10372079
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L BLEW HEAD GASKET, CYLINDER 3 AT 77000 MILES. ENGINE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NEVER OVERHEATED. DUE TO VAST NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET SUSPECT A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE. CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS ENGINE RUNS ON 3 CYLINDERS THUS LOW POWER. REPAIR COST WAS $1200. OPENED A CASE WITH NISSAN FOR ASSISTANCE AND ABSOLUTELY NONE WAS OFFERED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON A VEHICLE AND EVEN HAD ONE VW RUNNING 300+ MILES WITH NO HEAD GASKET ISSUES. NISSAN THUS FAR HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GASKET DEFECT, A TYPICAL PATTERN OF AUTO MANUFACTURERS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AND REQUIRE THAT NISSAN ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE REMEDIATION FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10371859
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2010

MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THIS WOULD CAUSE ME TO ALMOST GET INTO A CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY. MINE IS A 1.8 LITER ENGINE, AND THE RECALL WAS FOR THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, AND JUST AS MANY 1.8'S HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM. HAD TO PAY $200 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS. THEN AFTER I GET THE CAR FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT COME OFF, AND THE MECHANIC SAYS, NO CODE IS COMING UP FOR ANYTHING. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10363794
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2010

2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 I JUST HIT 2 YEARS WITH THIS CAR AND STILL HAVE ANOTHER 2 YEARS. CAR DOES NOT START ON FIRST TRY. IT OVER HEATS,IT DIES WHILE IN USE,RECENTLY IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD AND RPM SHOT TO 4,000 AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 20MPH. I ALREADY HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN AND A NEW CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND NEW SPARK PLUGS. I JUST FOUND OUT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CANT AFFORD THIS IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3. RACK IN PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED EVEN THE MASS AIR FLOW. WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE? *TR

NHTSA #: 10340168
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA #: 10335023
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

SAME AS 06V242000, BUT WITH NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 (2004). ENGINE SHUTS OFF SUDDENLY, RENDERING POWER STEERING AND ENGINE DEAD, FREQUENTLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS, BUT DEALERSHIP SAY NOT PART OF NISSAN RECALL 06V242000, SO DRIVER MUST PAY FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10331866
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA (1.8 LITER 4 CYL FUEL INJECTED) AT LOW SPEEDS IT HAS STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 5 MONTHS, WITH THE LAST THREE TIMES HAPPENING IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN IT'S HAPPENED I'VE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. IF I START THE CAR TOO QUICKLY THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY RESURFACES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 NISSAN SENTRA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED IN A FRIEND'S CAR LAST YEAR WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR, BOUGHT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP, AS MINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10330132
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2010

MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 HAS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS IS APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS I HAVE SEEN 30 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10326022
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Apr 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS UNKNOWN SPEEDS OR WHEN SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP. SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEM TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS ABLE TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA #: 10323801
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE CRANK SENSOR REPLACED. THE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. UPDATED 09/21/10

NHTSA #: 10317116
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111000.

NHTSA #: 10303245
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2010

AT 65MPH THE ENGINE SHUTOFF. AFTER THAT INCIDENT THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN FREQUENTLY AND ONLY STARTS AFTER 10MIN APPROX AFTER REPEATED ENGINE CRANKING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10298820
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2009

MOTOR STOPS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10296090
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2009

(SE-R SPEC V) NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF ENGINE MISFIRE, USUALLY OCCURRING ON THROTTLE TIP-IN AFTER A TIP-OUT FROM CRUISE CONDITIONS. DURATION OF MISFIRE ANYWHERE FROM 5S TO 5 MINUTES. KEY-OFF, KEY-ON SOMETIMES RECTIFIES THE MISFIRE. DIAGNOSTIC CODE OF MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRES. HAS ALSO RARELY OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE START. VEHICLE HAS HAD ECU REPROGRAM RECALL PERFORMED. VEHICLE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN MISFIRE OCCURS AT LOW ENGINE SPEED. MISFIRE EVENT CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN A WEEK, OR NONE FOR SIX MONTHS. FAILURE IS SO INTERMITTENT AND NON-REPEATABLE THAT NO EFFECT TROUBLESHOOTING CAN BE PERFORMED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10294860
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Filed: Nov 2009

THERE IS AN ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) RECALL ON NISSAN SENTRAS AND FRONTEIRS 2003-06. WHEN THIS WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW SWIRL CONTROL VALVE, (A VALVE DIRECTLY CONTROLLED BY THE ECM) AT A COST OF $772. SHOULD THE SWIRL VALVE ALSO BEEN PART OF THIS RECALL? *TR

NHTSA #: 10291364
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, THEN SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING AND BRAKING. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 06V247000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, SINCE SHE DOES NOT HAVE A 2.5L ENGINE, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

NHTSA #: 10288927
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2009

FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVE BEEN HAVING A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPS WORKING AND SIMPLY FAILS WHILE I AM DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I AM DRIVING ON BUSY ROADS AND THE HIGHWAY. MOST OF THE TIME, IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I AM DRIVING IN AND OUT OF PARKING LOTS, AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO NISSAN SERVICE STATIONS IN BOTH CALIFORNIA AND OREGON, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE COMPUTER CHIP HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND IN AUGUST 2009, THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NISSAN SAID THAT ALL WAS FINE, BUT AGAIN LAST WEEK ON FRIDAY OCT 2ND THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE CAR OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO BEAVERTON NISSAN (OREGON). THEY ARE REPLACING THE WIRES TO THE COMPUTER, BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10286589
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2009

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. STARTED A MONTH AGO, HAS BEEN HAPPENING ONCE A WEEK BUT GETTING MORE FREQUENT. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2.5L NOT THE 1.8L THAT I OWN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10284038
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED IT AFTER THREE MINUTES. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHICH WAS LOCATED ONLY ONE MILE AWAY. HE ATTEMPTED TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, $100 TO ORDER THE PART, AND $240 FOR LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO ZONE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,708.

NHTSA #: 10275242
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A SENSOR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,360 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.\ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

NHTSA #: 10274151
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2009

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY, THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS. IT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START, HAD TO LEAVE IN THE TURN LANE WITH FLASHERS ON. WE CAME BACK AN HOUR LATER, AND IT STARTED THEN. THE VEHICLE IS AN 04 SENTRA 1.8 S. AFTER READING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT RECALLS, WE CALLED THE COMPANY, AND THEY INFORMED US THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER. BUT THE PART REPLACED AT OUR SHOP WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, THE SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10265280
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. EVER SINCE THE CONVERTER WAS CHANGED, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRAINING THE OIL AND SUCKING DEBRIS INTO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WANTS NISSAN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,638.

NHTSA #: 10263731
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

ONE DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I OWN AN OBD2 DIAGNOSTIC READER AND IT GAVE ME THE CODE P0335 WHICH TRANSLATES TO CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 AND 2003, AND LATER INCLUDED SOME 2004 MODELS OF MY CAR (MINE IS A 2004) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY CAR. I PURCHASED A NEW SENSOR AND INSTALLED IT, CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND CHECKED FOR ANY REMAINING CODES. NONE WERE PRESENT. I TESTED THE OLD SENSOR ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN REPAIR MANUAL'S METHOD AND IT TESTED GOOD. A DAY AFTER I REPLACED THE SENSOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITH THE SAME FAILURE CODE. I CALLED NISSAN AGAIN AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION TO THEM AND THEY STILL TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. SO FAR WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS LIKE GOING UPHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM. ALSO IT DOES NOT WANT TO START SOMETIMES, WHICH IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENTLY, AND ACCORDING TO FORUM SITES I'VE VISITED IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10258685
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2009

AT FIRST MY CAR WAS HESITATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING IT AND IT WOULD STALL OCCASIONALLY. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED FOR A FEW WEEKS. TODAY MY CAR STALLED TWICE IN ONE MINUTE AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I MANAGED TO PULL IT INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. I TOOK A FEW TRIES AND THEN IT STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO BACK OUT. MY CAR WAS SHAKING AND IT HAD A BAD SMELL. I DECIDED TO PARK IT AND I WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP TOMORROW. *TR

NHTSA #: 10253911
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2008

IN MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V WITH A 2.5L ENGINE/MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AT ABOUT 69K MILES THE CAR SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNSTABLE ENGINE IDLING AND SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS. FIRST MECHANIC FOUND LOOSE METAL PIECES IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA, ALONG WITH SPARK PLUG ONE FOULED. METAL PIECES WERE REMOVED AND A NEW SPARK PLUG WAS INSTALLED. CAR RAN OKAY FOR A FEW WEEKS, THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED. MECHANIC REMOVED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FOUND TWO POWER VALVES AND THEIR SCREWS OBLITERATED AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE COMPARTMENT IN DOZENS OF LOOSE PIECES. METAL PIECES REMOVED, POWER VALVES REPLACED, SCREWS REPLACED AND SECURED WITH LOCK-TITE. SYMPTOMS OCCURRED FOR A THIRD TIME RECENTLY. I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ADVISORS; THEY RAN THE VIN AND FOUND A RECALL ON 04 SENTRA 2.5L ENGINE VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY THE POWER VALVE SCREWS COMING LOOSE, CAUSING UNSTABLE ENGINE IDLING AND POWER LOSS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10252021
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AND LOSE POWER FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 75 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED METAL PIECES UNDER SPARK PLUG NUMBER 1. THE MECHANIC REMOVED AND REPLACED SPARK PLUG NUMBER 1; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REMOVED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FOUND EVEN MORE METAL PIECES IN THE ENGINE FROM THE POWER VALVE. TWO OF THE POWER VALVES WERE IRREGULARLY SHAPED AND WERE BROKEN OFF INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/15/09.*JB

NHTSA #: 10252029
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2008

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SER 2.5, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR FOLLOWING ME DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ME. IT WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY, BUT DID START WITHIN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I HAD A COMPUTER READING DONE TODAY, AND THE CODE WAS P0340. THE PARTS PERSON MENTIONED THAT NISSAN VEHICLES HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL FOR CAM SHAFT SENSORS. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DID FIND THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF THAT RECALL (CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V242000).; I WOULD HAVE ANSWERED THAT RECALL. NOW, MY QUESTION IS THIS: WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IN MY CAR? *TR

NHTSA #: 10243604
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2008

WE HAD PROBLEMS IN ORDER TO TURN IT ON. THEN CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING IN THE FREEWAY. WE WERE LUCKY WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THEN THE LIGHT OF THE ENGINE WENT ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL R0606 FOR NISSANS SENTRA 2004 ENGINE 2.5 LT TOOK TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIR, THEY DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR UNLESS A PAY FOR IT. I HAD TO PAY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE BIN WAS NAT IN THEIR COMPUTER, Y TOLD THEM THAT I WAS GOING TO COMPLAINT TO NHTSA THEY TOLD ME THAT I CAN DO WHEREVER I WANT. SO I PAY 275.00 DLLS TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10241008
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2008

MT WIFE'S CAR SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. IT WAS A $589.00 REPAIR. I KNOW THAT NISSAN HAS HAD OTHER MODEL YEARS WITH RECALLS OVER SENSORS CAUSING SUDDEN ENGINE LOSS. THIS INCIDENT WITH MY WIFE HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS ENTERING A FREEWAY ON RAMP. SHE AND HER COWORKERS WERE TOWED BACK TO HER OFFICE. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND WAS RUNNING FINE. I DROVE IT TO THE SHOP BUT IT SUDDENLY DIED AFTER RUNNING FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES. LUCKILY I WAS ON A SIDE STREET. *TR

NHTSA #: 10240333
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2008

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ENGINE DIED. THIS RESULTED IN REDUCTION IN STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED THOUGH. ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT SPARK PLUGS WOULD NOT FIRE, SO CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE CURB TO GET IT OUT OF TRAFFIC. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT TIMING DETECTOR AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. OLD PART WAS DISPOSED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10240352
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2008

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED CAR -DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM REPAIRED...CAME ON AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN-DEALER KEPT SAYING THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR 10/2007 -THE CAR STAYED AT THE DEALER UNTIL 1/2008 THAT IS WHEN I COULD PAY THE $5800. COST OF A NEW MOTOR (EST WAS $2400.00) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 6/2008 DEALER REPAIRED -SD "NEEDED COMPUTER UPDATE"-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AND RUNNING RAGGED AGAIN 7/30/08. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND FOR NISSAN TO BUY THE CAR BACK AT TRADE IN VALUE AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10236461
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

MY 04 NISSAN SENTRA 2.5L QR25 ENGINE IS EATING OIL 4.5 QUARTS IN 300 MILES DUE TO A PRECAT FAILURE ON OEM HEADER WHICH WHEN FAILED ON DECELERATION SUCKS MATERIAL BACK INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING PISTON RINGS AND INNER SEALS TO FAIL AND CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FIRE. I HAVE FOUND THIS INFO ALSO ON OTHER MODEL SENTRAS TOO. *TR

NHTSA #: 10229923
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

DRIVING VEHICLE @ 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND JERKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN RAN OK. STOPPED AND PARKED THE CAR FOR FOUR HOURS AND THEN DROVE HOME AND IT DID IT AGAIN AT 55 MPH. 5-13-08 IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AT LOW SPEEDS AND ACTUALLY DIED. IT STARTED BACK UP AND THEN RAN FINE. 5-31-08 DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10229500
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2008

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND AN ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS TO BE PERFORMED TO CORRECT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ISSUE. I DID SO BACK IN JANUARY OF 2008. MY ECM NEVER EMITTED ANY SORT OF ERROR CODE, BUT I WAS HAVING SPONTANEOUS STALLING APPROXIMATELY TWICE A WEEK. AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING, THE PROBLEM STOPPED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO, WHEN IT STALLED VERY HARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A MISFIRE OF THE SPARKPLUGS. IT BEGAN STALLING SPONTANEOUSLY AT A RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 1-2 TIMES PER DAY THEN. THREE WEEKS AGO, I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, AND TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE CHECKED. IT STATED THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, AND WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY VEHICLE'S CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10222945
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2008

2004 NISSAN SENTRA LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *KB AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE ROUGH UNTIL IT WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A WARPED HEAD. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLTS COULD CAUSE THE HEAD TO WARP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS HE EXPERIENCED WERE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED NISSAN AND PROVIDED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. NISSAN STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA #: 10219539
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM; HOWEVER SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. SHE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL AND REPORT THE ISSUE, BECAUSE HER ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONTINUE TO COME AND HESITATE TO STARTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61, 967.--DS

NHTSA #: 10213472
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2007

I HAVE A 1.8 LITER ENGINE (NISSAN SENTRA) AND IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN 06V242000 FOR THE 2.5L ENGINE. THE 11/12/2007 IS THE THIRD SENSOR FAILURE AND ENGINE CUTOFF SINCE JUNE 2007. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SAME SENSOR EACH TIME, AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON FAIRLY EMPTY FREEWAYS AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10208875
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2007

MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SER SPEC V SHOWED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON AUGUST 28, 2007. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC USED A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO DETERMINE THAT THE CAR HAD A MALFUNCTIONING CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON SOME 2003 AND 2004 SENTRAS AND ALTIMAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL WARRANTY WORK AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I WAS GIVEN AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE DOES NOT COVER THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IF NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND MY CAR IS HAVING THE PROBLEM, WHY DO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10200977
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2007

DRIVING 65 ON HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *JB

NHTSA #: 10181854
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2006

JUST PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN SENTRA TWO WEEKS AGO. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I CAME HOME AND REMAINED ON. THE SALEMAN TOLD ME HE DIDN'T THINK MY CAR WOULD PASS AN EMISSION TEST. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE HE SOLD THE CAR KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I AM TAKING INTO THE NISSAN DEALER IN OLYMPIA BUT I TOLD HIM I AM NOT PAYING ANYTHING PERIOD. THE CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I FEEL HE DECEIVED ME. THE SALES PERSON IS JAY ROLFS FROM ASSOCIATE FLEETS IN SEATTLE, WA. *NM

NHTSA #: 10176335
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2006

PLEASE REFER TO NISSAN CAMPAIGN I.D. # P5202. I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V. AT THE END OF AUGUST MY CAR DEVELOPED STALLING AND THEN OUTRIGHT CYLINDER (1) FAILURE. SPARK PLUG WAS REMOVED AND FOUND TO BE EXTREMELY PITTED AND GROUND STRAP WAS HAMMERED CLOSED. REPLACED PLUG, VACUUMED CYLINDER AND CAR RAN FINE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON THE WAY TO WORK AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND A SECOND CYLINDER WAS FOUND TO HAVE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC I USE ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE (REF. ABOVE). I THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHERE THEY VERIFIED THAT THE POWER VALVE WAS MISSING TWO OF EIGHT SCREWS AND THIS WAS THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE CYLINDER FAILURES. FILED CLAIM WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED BY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL INTO THE VIN RECALL RANGE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL ON MY ENGINE. AS SUCH, NONE OF THE RECALL TROUBLESHOOTING WAS PERFORMED ON MY ENGINE. I FEEL THAT MY EXPENSES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AND, IF REQUIRED, MY ENGINE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE I HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED FROM THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I'M SURE THAT THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE PISTONS, VALVES, CYLINDER WALLS, AND ENGINE HEAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILED SPARK PLUGS HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED DUE TO THE POUNDING THEY TOOK FROM THE STEEL POWER VALVE SCREWS. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH OTHER VIN 2.5 LITER ENGINES AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO ACCEPT CORPORATE LIABILITY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT IN EVEN MORE OF THEIR ENGINES. I HAVE WRITTEN TO CARLOS GHOSEN AND GIVEN NISSAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND WITH NO RESULTS TO DATE. PLEASE HELP ME OBTAIN THE SAME RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WHO FELL UNDER THE PROTECTION OF RECALL CAMPAIGN P5202. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA #: 10169970
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ASIDE OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBELM. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

NHTSA #: 10165724
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2006

SITUATION RECURRING: LONG CRANK TIME BEFORE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND STARTS. THIS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR THIRTY MINUTES OR MORE AND IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED RIGHT BACK ON AS WELL AS WHEN VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT AND IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. PROBLEM! *NM

NHTSA #: 10165495
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2006

1) CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH/SURGING/STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 2) SOMETHING HAS ENTERED THE ENGINE CAUSING MARKS ON PISTON TOP/CYLINDER BORES AND DAMAGING THE SPARK PLUG. 3) BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER WERE TO BLAME. I CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER. THIS ALLOWED CAR TO RUN BETTER BUT STILL RUNS ROUGH/SURGES/WON'T IDLE PROPERLY. BROUGHT CAR TO LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY INSPECTED CYLINDER BORES AND FOUND DAMAGE TO PISTON AND A 2ND PISTON/SPARK PLUG. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR SENTRA'S BUT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS RECALL COVERS SCREWS FALLING INTO MOTOR. CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RESET BECAUSE OF THE AIR FILTER WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT BRAND FILTER. WHEN TOLD ABOUT DAMAGES IN MOTOR THERE WAS NO REPLY. WHEN ASKED IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ONE. CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL AND THAT MY CAR IS COVERED BUT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. MY CAR IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/ENGINE SIZE AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I'M TRYING TO GET MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

NHTSA #: 10152761
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2005

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN SENTRA (1.8 ENGINE, AUTO TRANS). ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVING UP WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, CAR IN DRIVE, FOOT ON BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN STEADILY INCREASING THE IDLE SPEED AND THE ENGINE REVVED (WITH MY FOOT TON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME) TO I WOULD GUESS 2500-3000 RPMS. JUST AS QUICKLY, REVVING CEASED AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE INCREASE AND DECREASE IN IDLE SPEED PROBABLY OCCURRED OVER ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I HAD A SIMILAR EPISODE, AGAIN WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AT AN EVEN HIGHER RPM RATE. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR REVVED VIOLENTLY AT A RATE THAT MUST HAVE BEEN APPROACHING FULL THROTTLE. IT SORT OF REVVED FULL AND THEN BACKED OFF SLIGHTLY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. ONCE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ADJUSTED THE IDLE BUT I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, AND I AM CONCERNED. I SUSPECT A COMPUTER FAILURE OF SOME KIND. NISSAN MUST BE PRESSURED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 10119704
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2004

2004 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8S: PURCHASED NEW ON 3/13/2004. MILEAGE 2060 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, BROUGHT TO DEALER, ECM REPROGRAMMED, DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING STILL PERSISTS, VEHICLE SHUT OFF ONCE WHILE REFUELING. MILEAGE, APPROX. 4725 - JERSEY CITY, NJ: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO "NO HARD CODE IS STORED." ERRATIC/ROUGH IDLING PERSISTS. VEHICLE SHUT OFF SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. BEGAN LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS IN NEW JERSEY. MILEAGE, 5370 - MYRTLE BEACH, SC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. CAR IS BUCKING IN 1ST GEAR (AUTOMATIC), "MAPP" GAS OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL (POSSIBLY EXCESS SULFUR) COMING FROM EXHAUST. ERROR CODE P0171/P0174, AIR FLOW METER REPLACED WITH NO FURTHER FAILURES. MILEAGE, 5637 - CHARLOTTE, NC: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE NOW BUCKS AT HIGH SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN LETTING UP ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER PROLONGED HIGHWAY DRIVING, VERY ERRATIC IDLE, AT TIMES ALMOST REACHING 0 RPMS WHILE PARKED. DEALER RESET ECM, COULD NOT DETECT ANY FAILURES. ARRANGED TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP BUT FINALLY FUEL PUMP WAS NOT CHANGED. VEHICLE DRIVEN BACK TO NEW JERSEY WITH SAME FAILURES AS LISTED ABOVE. SINCE CHARLOTTE, NC SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO TIMES, AND HAS GONE AWAY JUST AS FAST. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO KEEP MY ONLY CAR (AND NEW CAR) IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, SINCE THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL. MY RECOMMENDATION: WANT TO STAY ALIVE, STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN CARS AND TRUCKS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10082487
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2004

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AFTER HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED TWICE ALREADY AND THEN BOLTS FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL THE SAME AS WHEN THE CATALYST WAS BURNED UP. THE CATALYST HAD BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY WITH FUNNY SMELLS AND RATTLES.*AK

NHTSA #: 10073056
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Apr 2004

2004 NISSAN SENTRA. BORN ON DATE OF APRIL 2003. BOUGHT IN OCT 2004. CURRENTLY HAS 4495 MILES. CAR STALLED TWICE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ON 04/02/2004 TO CHECK FOR PROBLEM (4331 MILES). NO FAILURE CODES INDICATED IN MEMORY OF COMPUTER. ON APRIL 8TH THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SON HAS MEMORY LOSS FROM STOP SIGN TO WHEN CAR CAME TO REST. HE DOES NOT HAVE FULL MEMORY RECALL. IT IS COMING BACK BUT IS SPOTTY. HE CURRENTLY RECALLS TALKING TO A PARAMEDIC, A SMALL BUMPING SENSATION AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON (LIKE WHEN THE CAR STALLED BEFORE). IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CARS? I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR CARS BUILT FROM JAN 2000 TO MARCH 2003 FOR CASES OF STALLING. WE GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. ONLY NISSAN HAS PERFORMED ANY MNTC. OIL CHANGE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10066291
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER.*AK

NHTSA #: 10067294

Other 2004 Nissan Sentra Issues