Engine problems of the 2000 Nissan Sentra

We had a 2000 Nissan Sentra gxe, with 83245 miles on the odometer. There were no issues with car and it had always been regularly serviced. On July 29, 2010 after a normal day's activities which involved driving to and from work and a short trip within town to and from the local swimming pool, it was as usual parked in the driveway of our home at 8pm. We locked the car and went into the house and were sitting down to dinner when at 8:20pm we noticed a large plume of smoke drift by the dining room window. When we went out to investigate we saw thick billowing smoke blowing out of the hood of the car. We could also see flames under the hood. The engine was on fire. We dialed 911 and the fire trucks rolled in. The firemen had difficulty opening the hood because the heat had fused the hood to the body and they had to punch holes in the side and use crowbars to pry the hood open. After a brief dousing with fire retardant foam, the firemen put out the flames within a few minutes. Once the flames were put out we could see that the entire engine compartment was a mass of burned plastic and rubber and charred and twisted metal. The insurance company has declared the car to be a total loss. Thankfully nobody was injured and our home was not damaged. We are shocked and dismayed that a supposedly reliable compact car could without any apparent reason burst into flames and die like this one did.

2000 Nissan Sentra engine oil dipstick broke off. The dipstick is still in the tube.

The following occurred three times: while driving at highway speeds, and then stopping, and then accelerating slowly, the engine simply cut out after the rpm wavered between 500-1100 for about a minute. The car could not be restarted and two out of the three times had to be towed. After approximately one hour, the car could be started again. All three days were hot days. The problem could not be reproduced and a full inspection of the car by three mechanics revealed no apparent problems.

I have looked and found no recall on this poorly designed engine component. Plastic dipstick handle breaks. My car is a Nissan 2000 Sentra gxe 1. 8: the plastic engine oil dipstick handle broke off, leaving the stainless steel stick inside the tube. I called my local Nissan dealership service department for a method of extracting the defective part. I was told it would be 'very expensive' for the service shop to do, that I should try to 'figure it out' myself and 'let me know how you did it' if I was successful. The only oem replacement part for this item is an exact duplicate of the plastic handle type that broke, so I am not using that again! this plastic component is poorly designed and can permit the stainless steel 'stick' to be forced into the oil pan.

I am the national technical advisor for jiffy lube International and I would like to file a defect concern regarding engine oil level dipstick failures. Since November 2002 to present, jiffy lube International has serviced approximately 13 (to current count-possibly more-currently researching for exact number) 2000-2001 Nissan Sentras w/1. 8l engines ranging from 23,000 - 55,000 miles in which the engine oil level dipstick handle became seperated from the metal indicator inside the tube(as described in complaint#10010803 & 10023403). This happens on initial removal of the dipstick prior to servicing. Some of the vehicles were even 1st time customers to our service centers. There are also claims that I do not have accounted for because the stores are franchise owned and they handle there own claims. I do have all the customers personal & vehicle information if you would like to have it to investigate. The dealers that I have talked with state that they are unware of any concerns of this nature but are quick to propose a repair bill of $200-300. 00 dollares everytime this happens. I would like someone from NHTSA to investigate and consult with Nissan on what there take is on this matter and to see if they may issue a recall to where jiffy lube International could recoupe some of there losses, financially and from a customer standpoint. Please advise if I can offer anymore information regarding this matter. I appreciate your concern and look forward to your response. Ricky jackson jli national technical service advisor jiffy lube International, inc. A subsidiary of shell oil company tel: (713)546-4205 fax: (713)217-3083 email: richard. Jackson@pzlqs. Com .

Mfr# p1159 & NHTSA# 01 v 357 000/crank position sensor: consumer states while the vehicle was at the dealer for cutting off while driving. The technician stated that a manufacturer recall was on the vehicle concerning a "crank position senor". Consumer states that no recall notice was receiverd until after this incident occur. Nlm.

My dealer failed to tell me that a needed repair was, actually, part of a formal recall. I found out about the recall after I had my car repaired. When my car exhibited the exact symptoms described in the crank position sensor recall, 01v357000. I called heritage Nissan. They told me that, since I didn?t have an extended warranty, I would have to pay for any repairs to correct the problem I described. The dealer told me that any other mechanic/shop could probably see me sooner and that I may as well find someone local to my home. In the end, I paid $231. 68 for what the dealer should have replaced free of charge. After finding out about the recall online, I wrote Nissan national consumer affairs (letter dated June 24, 2002). To date, they have not replied to my letter. I would be happy to provide a copy of these materials to you, if needed.

Vehicle smokes right after a oil change is done, this is due to the oil filter plug being right above catalytic converter. Consumer can actually hear the oil popping on the catalytic converter after the oil change is done.

Consumer had vehicle for 2weeks & it started running hard & idling high. Vehicle has been in repairs 3 times & is still in the shop. Dealer know's it's a valve problem, but not sure were it's coming from.

Consumer received NHTSA recall 03v084000 concerning debris/ fire. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs. After repairs were done vehicle was taken back to the dealer three times. The first time deale rreplaced the catalytic converter. The second time they replaced the engine, and the third time dealer replaced both, the catalytic converter and engine.