2000 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 176 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 27 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 14, 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
Campaign 07E074000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, tread/beltFeb 23, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE.
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A BELT EDGE SEPARATION IS POSIBLE, WHICH COULD RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE.
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THESE ALTIMA VEHICLES. FIRESTONE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE AT 1-800-465-1904.
Campaign 01V065000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
176 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2008
AT 46,000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & IT WAS REPAIRED. NOW 25,000 MILES LATER THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AND AGAIN IT IS DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILING. WE HAVE ESTIMATES TO REPAIR IT RANGING FROM $600-$1,000.00. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO RECENTLY REPAIRED IT WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART, THERE IS NO WAY THAT GASKET SHOULD FAIL IN 25,000 MILES. I HAVE TALKED TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP(NOT THE ONE WHO REPAIRED IT THE FIRST TIME) AND HE SAID THERE IS NO WAY THAT PART SHOULD FAIL IN 25,000 MILES AND STATED IT SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 60,000 MILES. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE SERVICE SHOP WHO GAVE US THE ESTIMATE SAID THE GASKET IS FALLING APART LIKE PIECES OF AN EGGSHELL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2008
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AROUND CYLINDER #4 FAILED 2-3 YEARS AGO (~65,000 MILES), CAUSING ROUGH IDLE/STALLING AS WELL AS POOR GAS MILEAGE AND TRIGGERING FAULT CODE P0304. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKET FOR ~$650. WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS (~85,000 MILES), THE SYMPTOMS HAVE RETURNED, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SAME FAULT CODE. SPRAYING CARB CLEANER AROUND THE GASKET AREA CAUSE A SMOOTHING OUT OF THE IDLE WHEN APPLIED NEAR CYLINDER #4, INDICATING A RECURRING FAILURE OF THE GASKET. SEARCHING THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE PARTICULAR TO THIS ENGINE MODEL, LEADING TO RECURRING EXPENSE TO OWNERS DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING. THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE THE ROUTING OF THE EGR GAS LINES TOO CLOSE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING PREMATURE DEGRADATION OF THE SEAL. A LIKELY, AND COST EFFECTIVE FIX WOULD SEEM TO BE THE ADDITION OF A HEAT SHIELD IN THE AFFECTED AREA BETWEEN THE EGR GAS LINES AND THE MANIFOLD. THE HIGH INCIDENCE RATE OF THIS FAILURE AND THE CAUSE OF POOR ENGINEERING, WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE A RECALL ISSUE TO FIX THE POOR FUEL ECONOMY AND EXCESSIVE EMISSIONS IT CAUSES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2008
HAVE A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA GLE THAT IS RUNNING POORLY AT IDLE AND WILL STALL. SPENT 450 DOLLARS ON TUNE UP PARTS TO FIND OUT LATER THAT IT IS THE MANIFOLD GASKET. WAS TOLD ALL NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUES OF SAME NATURE IN THE 1999-2000 MODEL AND THAT THEY ARE PREMATURELY FAILING AND THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND IS REFUSING TO RECALL THE VEHICLES T FIX THEM. ESTIMATED REPAIR 800.00-1000.00 DOLLARS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE PART BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE IT CAN BECOME A DANGER AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED RECENT FAILURES. THE CONTACT WILL NOT HAVE THE COMPONENT REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,223. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AGAIN, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2008
ON 6/11/05 THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AS EVIDENCED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNING ON AND DIAGNOSIS BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE FAILURE HAD NO CONSEQUENCES AS I HAD THE GASKET REPLACED IMMEDIATELY; HOWEVER, THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AS OF 12/27/07 AND NISSAN CORPORATION IS NOT WILLING TO HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE DECIDED TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONDITION DETERIORATES MUCH FURTHER. FROM I AM TOLD THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I CAN BE REAR ENDED IN THE EVENT IT DOES. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 26, 2007
GAUGES (TEMPERATURE, GAS, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM) ALL GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING. THE ERROR HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MY CAR WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. I HAVE READ OTHER NISSAN CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2000 YEAR MODELS, HOWEVER NO RESOLUTION HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION. THE DIGITAL ODOMETER ALSO DOES NOT REGISTER MILES AS THEY ARE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A SPEEDING TICKET YET. IF I DO, NISSAN SHOULD PAY! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2007
OXYGEN SENSOR ... CAUSE MY ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT TO GO ON AND OFF ... IT SELF . WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON MY CAR BURN TONS OF GAS ... CONSUMPTION DOUBLED ... *TR
Tires, Sep 25, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED TWO SETS AND RECEIVED ONE FREE SET OF COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE TIRES IN APRIL OF 2004. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE TREAD ON THE TIRES HAS WORN SO QUICKLY AND UNEVENLY. THE SECOND SET OF TIRES WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 12, 2006 AND THE THIRD SET WAS REPLACED ON JANUARY 2, 2007. THE SECOND SET OF TIRES, WHICH WERE RECEIVED FOR FREE, WAS REPLACED AT LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,300. EQ-10204089-4200 ,12/19/07. THE CONSUMER STATED PURCHASED 4 TIRES ON 12/08/04, 06/12/06, AND 12/18/06. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Sep 3, 2007
I OWN A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE, AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A FAILURE IN THE SPEEDOMETER, TACH, ODOMETER, AND TEMP GAUGE WHILE DRIVING. THE GAUGES WILL FREEZE UP AT ANY TIME AND STAY AT THEIR LAST POSITION, WHILE THE CAR CONTINUES TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ALSO KICK OFF IF IT IS BEING USED AT THE TIME. THIS LEADS TO A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY DRIVABLE BY USING THE NAKED EYE AND JUDGING YOUR SPEED BY OTHER CARS, AND A FAILURE IN CORRECT REPORTING OF MILEAGE. A SOLUTION IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND A DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS IT YET. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF NISSANS OF THIS YEAR (FRONTIER, SENTRA, PATHFINDERS) POSTED AT VARIOUS ONLINE CAR FORUMS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED BY NISSAN USA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATES WHEN IDLE AND HE MUST SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT RANDOM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Air bags, Apr 14, 2007, crash
DETAIL: ON FEBRAURY 2, 2007 VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF 45-55 MPH WHEN IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF IT HEAD ON. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUBSTAINED MINOR BRUISES AND HIP PAIN. CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT BY INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 3, 2007
SUDDEN FAILURE OF THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. DEALER SAYS IT "BROKE" AND HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. ALTHOUGH I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A FUEL SUPPLY FAILURE, THE AUTO WARRANTY DID NOT COVER REPAIRS CLAIMING IT WAS AN "EMISSIONS PART" AND NOT COVERED. COST $530.92 TO REPAIR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2007
THROTTLE ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO FALL APART WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, DISENGAGING THE THROTTLE AND RENDERING THE VEHICLE HELPLESS AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2007
AT LEAST SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING; THE ODOMETER, HEAT GAUGE, RPM, EVERYTHING. MOST OF THE TIME THE SPEED REGISTERS BELOW ZERO BUT SOMETIMES IT JUST FREEZES IN PLACE. AT WHAT POINT IS NISSAN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM? MAYBE IT IS TIME TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
ROUGH IDLE PROMPTED ME TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A MECHANIC. AFTER IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER I WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSORS WERE TELLING MY COMPUTER TO RUN THE GAS LEAN AND THE COMPUTER WAS TELLING MY O2 SENSORS TO RUN LEANER. AT THAT TIME MY CAR HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES AND I KNOW THE O2 SENSORS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR UP TO ABOUT 80,000. NOTING WAS DONE AND THE CARE CONTINUES TO HAVE THE ROUGH IDLE AS IF IT WANTS TO DIE. I HAVE PUT ABOUT $2K INTO IT TRYING TO FIX POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND FEEL IF IT IS AN O2 SENSOR PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS UNDER 80,000 MILES IT IS A DEFECT. *NM
Tires, Dec 20, 2006
I PURCHASED 4 SIGMA REGENT 9M TIRES FROM TIRE KINGDOM IN 2003. THEY ONLY HAD 25,000 ON THEM AND 2 OF THEM BLEW OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IT WASN'T A NORMAL BLOWOUT, AS 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ATTESTED. THE TIRE HAD WIRES COMING OUT EVERYWHERE. I CALLED TIRE KINGDOM AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE TIRES (MY DAUGHTER HAD THE MECHANICS DISPOSE OF THEM AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER) THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOMEONE AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE IT COULD OF CAUSED AN INJURY. *JB
Visibility, Oct 6, 2006
WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS FAILING TO GO UP ONCE IT GOES DOWN. HAVE TO WORK THE SWITCH NUMBER OF TIME TO GET THE WINDOW BACK UP. HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE WINDOW DOWN AT TIMES UNTIL I TRIED TO GET IT TO COME UP LATER. NOTHING HAVE BEEN DONE AT PRESENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2006
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. CAR CONSTANTLY JERKS WHEN IDLING AND SOMETIMES CUTS OUT. SPENT $65 ON A SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TEST. INTAKE VALVE GASKET FAILURE. NISSAN DEALER WANTS OVER $600 TO FIX ISSUE. AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2000 ALTIMA'S. WHY ISN'T NISSAN TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2006
IN MAY OF 2006 I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE SEL LIGHT CAME ON, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT WAS TIGHT. I CALLED NISSAN AND MENTIONED THIS AND THEY TOLD ME TO CHECK THE CAP AGAIN. AFTER A WEEK I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE THAT REVEALED THE EGR SENSOR WAS BAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE EGR CLEANED AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW AND I THINK THAT NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THIS AT NO CHARGE. I CALLED NISSAN IN NASHVILLE TN AND THE TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF EGR SENSORS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2006
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING IDLE TO FLUCTUATE, INTERMITTENT STALLING 2000 ALTIMA WITH 57000 MILES, THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT DUE TO THE EGR PIPE RUNNING TO CLOSE TO CYLINDER 4 AREA OF THE MANIFOLD. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL ALTIMAS 1998-2001. NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR AS RECALL, THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALLING. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2006
MY 20000 NISSAN ALTIMA SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER AND TEMP GAUGE ALL WILL QUIT WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO KNOW IF I AM DRIVING AT A SAFE ,LEGAL SPEED. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE A WRECK AND AFTER VISITING SEVERAL AUTO FORUMS ONLINE HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, May 6, 2006, crash
MY 2000 MAXIMA IS HORRIBLE I HAVE THE NOTORIOUS COIL PROBLEM PLUS I SMASHED INTO A POLE AND THE CAR'S AIR BAGS AND THE SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK YOU MUST HIT THE BRAKE FOR THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK AND YOU NEED TO REALLY HIT SOMETHING REAL HARD BUT AT THAT POINT YOU MAY ALREADY BE DEAD THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS ,THEY CAN BE SUED AND I AM GOING TO CONGRESS WITH THIS,THEY ARE NOT SENSITIVE TO ANYONE'S LIVES THEY SHOULD BAN NISSAN COMPANY THEY ARE CROOKS HUGE LAW SUIT THEY CAN GO DOWN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2005
2000 NISSAN-ALTIMA INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS FAILED AT 44500 MILES. REPAIRS ARE EST. AT $850.00. ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN ADVISOR THE LIFETIME OF THE GASKET SHOULD EXCEED 100000 MILES. NISSAN HAS A PROGRAM TO CORRECT ANY UNUSUAL DEFECTS AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR AGREEMENT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 24, 2005
1) NORMAL DRIVING - SEL LIGHT CAME ON P0304 AND ROUGH ENGINE IDLE 2) INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED - POOR IDLE - WILL NOT PASS EMISSION TEST - 60K MILES 3) REPLACED GASKET AFTER FINDING MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD SAME PROBLEM EVEN AFTER 32K MILES. NISSAN SHOULD FIX THIS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY REFUSED. HERE ARE DETAILS OF THE ISSUE: THERE IS AN ENGINEERING OR MATERIAL DEFECT ON THE KA24DE ENGINE IN REGARDS TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. FROM READING THE POSTS OF DOZENS OF OWNERS IT APPEARS IT IS HAPPENING TO ENGINES MADE IN THE 00-01 TIME FRAME. IF THIS WERE JUST SOME RANDOM PROBLEM THEN YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF POSTS ON P0304 AND GASKET LEAKS FOR ANY YEAR CAR. JUST ABOUT ALL THE POSTS CONCERN SPECIFICALLY 00-01. THE FIRST HAND EVIDENCE I HAD IS WHEN I TOOK OFF MY INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE GASKET. THE SIDE WITH THE LEAK WAS AT CYLINDER 4. WHEN I TOOK OFF THE GASKET, THE MATERIAL AT THE CYLINDER 4 SIDE WAS WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS "BAKED". IT WAS HARD AND BRITTLE AND WOULD JUST CRACK OR SNAP VERY EASILY. THE CLOSER THE GASKET WAS TO THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER IT REMAINED MORE PLIABLE. OBVIOUSLY THE GASKET SEEMS TO HOLD UP BETTER CLOSER TO CYLINDER 1 BECAUSE IT IS COOLER THERE - THAT IS WHERE THE PASSAGE FOR THE COOLANT IS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A P0304 CODE TO GET THROWN. THAT IS A MISFIRE AT CYLINDER 4. AGAIN, IF THIS WERE SOME RANDOM PROBLEM - COULDN'T WE REASONABLY EXPECT A NORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE FROM P0301, 302, 303, AND 304? BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN ANY POSTS ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN P0304. THERE IS EXTRA HEAT AROUND CYLINDER 4 ABOVE WHAT THE GASKET MATERIAL IS RATED FOR - WHICH IS AN ENGINE DESIGN ISSUE. 2 CARS VERIFIED SO FAR HAPPEN TO BE CALIFORNIA EMISSION VEHICLES IT SEEMS PLAUSIBLE THAT THE EXTRA HEAT IS RELATED TO THE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES THESE CARS HAVE - SPECIFICALLY THE EXTRA CAT CONVERTER. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON I880 AT THE SPEED OF 65 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND SPUN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY REASON OR WARNING. THE SHUT DOWN WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND INCLUDED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A HALT, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN "PARK" AND RESTART IT. THE CAR THEN CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. *NM