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.
Visibility, Jul 2, 2004
ELECTRIC DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE IT MYSELF CANT KEEP CAR ALLIGNED WEARS OUT TIRES QUICK IT HAS 63000 MILES ON IT &HAS HAD 5SETS OF TIRES PUT ON ALL THE WAY AROUND. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2004
WHEN DRIVING, GAUGES SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. THE TACHOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE FREEZE IN PLACE. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS THE MAX AND THE DIGITAL ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 5, 2004
I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 DANGEROUS INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATION WITH MY 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA SE [XXX]. THE FIRST, WITNESSED BY MY HUSBAND & SON, OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 26, 2003. APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, I SLOWED TO A STOP WITH MY FOOT SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED ALARMINGLY AND THE CAR TRIED TO LURCH THROUGH THE LIGHT. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RACING INCREASED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE HEAD MECHANIC AT OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEAS. AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT, I TOOK THE CAR BACK. THE NEXT WEEKEND, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. THE RPMS REGISTERED WITHIN SECONDS UP TO 6500 RPMS. PUT IN NEUTRAL, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 7000 RPMS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I TOLD OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. ON THE NISSAN HOTLINE (1-800-NISSAN-1), THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVES TOLD ME: (1) THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM (NISSAN LATER SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY HAD RECEIVED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, THEY HAD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN A SHOP); AND (2) IF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE "REPLICATED" IN SHOP, THEN, IN EFFECT, "THERE WAS NO PROBLEM" AND NO REMEDY. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT S.U.A. IS A MAJOR PROBLEM NATIONALLY. I COULD NOT DRIVE THIS CAR, COULD NOT ALLOW A FAMILY MEMBER TO DRIVE THIS CAR, AND COULD NOT SELL THE CAR. AFTER ALMOST SIX WEEKS WITHOUT MY CAR, I TRADED IT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT CONSIDERABLE LOSS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO TRY TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT RE-SELL THE VEHICLE TO AN UNINFORMED CONSUMER. I HAVE 35 YEARS OF SOLID DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF DRIVER ERROR HERE. THE PUBLIC NEEDS YOUR HELP.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility, Apr 19, 2004
DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO AT LEAST 3 DOZEN OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHO HAVE ALL REPORTED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM (I POSTED A MESSAGE TO AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD).*AK
Visibility, Feb 24, 2004
THE REGULATOR IN THE WINDOW HAS WENT OUT. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND HE SAID THAT WAS VERY COMMON IN MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND HE IS SUPRISED THAT IT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED CONCERNING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR/REGULATOR.*AK
Air bags, Feb 19, 2004, crash
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BRUISES. *AK THE BUMPER HAD FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE, DESTROYED THE RADIATOR AND THE BATTERY WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE AREA. *SC
Air bags, Dec 13, 2003, crash
OUR 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE 4 DR SEDAN COMES EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS PAST FRIDAY. ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT THE PARAMEDICS, POLICE OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS FOUND IT AMAZING AND INCREDIBLE THAT A LATE MODEL CAR'S AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT THIS ACCIDENT. A DRUNK DRIVER HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN HE TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. HE HIT ME IN THE PROCESS AND THE IMPACT WAS SUCH THAT WE HAD TO TAKE MY WIFE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO MAKE SURE SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY INTERNAL INJURIES. I AM JUST DISAPPOINTED THAT THE AIR BAGS, THAT ARE INTENDED FOR THESE TYPES OF ACCIDETNS, DID NOT DEPLOY. IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THEN IT IS A MATTER THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. SINCERLEY, CARLOS ARREDONDO. *AK
Equipment, Dec 10, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING, THE FOUR WAY FLASHERS STARTED BLINKING, THE HORN STARTED BLOWING AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT FROM LIGHT TO DIM. THE CONSUMER FELT THIS MAY BE THE RESULT OF A FAULTY ALARM SYSTEM. *NLM THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *SCC *JB
Air bags, Dec 10, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM *NM
Power train, Sep 22, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH CLUTCH BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT IT IN GEAR. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2003
2000 NISSAN ALTIMA - ALTERNATOR 'OVERCHARGED' THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE. LUCKILY THE HOOD WAS DOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS COLD, OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH AND/OR A CAR FIRE, DUE TO THE ACID CONTENT OF THE BATTERY.NO 'WARNING' WAS GIVEN OF THE ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGING. THIS SHOULD BE THE CASE, AS IT IS WITH THE WARNING OF THE ALTERNATOR UNDERCHARGING THE BATTERY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2003
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE, PROBLEM REOCURRED. *TT
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2003
FIRST, MY ALTINATOR DIED AT 37000 MILES, AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A RE-FERBISHED ONE. THIS WAS LAST SUMMER, AND NOW MY CAR IS JUST NOT STARTING AT ALL SOMETIMES. ALSO, ONE DEALER SAID THAT MY MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN, AND A DIFFERENT DEALER SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I TAKE THE CAR IN FOR IT'S INSPECTIONS, AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. BECAUSE MY WARRENTY IS EXPIRED, I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT ALL OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER BOUGHT!
Tires, Apr 24, 2003
THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE SIDEWALL. ONE TIRE BLEW OUT WHEN THE SEPARATION OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION. FIRESTONE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. *SCC
Vehicle speed control, Apr 19, 2003
CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHEN STOPPED OR STOPPING. THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. CAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. ON RESTART ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2003
MY ODOMETER, HEAT GAUGE, RMP, AND GAS GAUGE GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND NISSAN HEADQUARTERS WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN OTHER CASES REPORTED TO NISSAN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2003
CONSUMERS STATED THAT CAR CUTS OFF WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Power train, Dec 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Suspension, Nov 14, 2002
AFTER HEARING A SQUEALING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE ACCELARATING ONTO A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. THE PULLEY APPARENTLY STRIPPED THE BEARINGS AND FROZE UP ON THE HUB. THIS CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP AND BREAK WHICH ALSO BROKE THE OTHER ACCESSORY BELT. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS. DT
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2002
WHEN DRIVING AT 45MPH TO 50 MPH IN NORMAL EVENING TRAFFIC, SUDDENLY THE TACHOMETER, ENGINE TEMP GAGE AND SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO/NO READING. DIGITAL ODOMETER ALSO WENT TO ZERO. FUEL GAGE SHOWED MORE THAN FULL WHEN THE ACTUAL READING SHOULD BE ABOUT 3/4 FULL. A WEB SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TO TWO OTHER OWNERS WHO MAY HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.MICRO-TECH-AUTO.COM//BBS/NISSAN/INDEX.CGI?READ=1642, HTTP://WWW.MICRO-TECH-AUTO.COM/BBS/NISSAN/INDEX.CGI?READ=3993. THANK YOU. DT
Power train, Oct 21, 2002
CAR ENGINE BLEW UP CAUSING FIRE AND OTHER DAMAGE TO CARS WAS IN NEUTRAL AND BEING FLAT TOWED BEHIND A MOTORHOME PER SPECS GIVEN BY MANUFACTURE NO DAMAGE TO TIRES THOUGH TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSEDLY BAD CAN YOU GIVE ADVICE CONCERNING CAUSE AND OR PREVENTION OF FUTURE PROBLEMS. DT
Vehicle speed control, Oct 15, 2002
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, CAR RACED TO 4500 RPMS, FOOT ON BRAKE. PUT IN NETURAL, KICKED GAS PEDAL, RACED EVEN HIGHER, KICKED IT AGAIN, IT SLOWED DOWN. WENT 500 FEET, RACED TO 7000 RPMS. TOOK TO DEALER, NOTHING FOUND WRONG. HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE 12 OF OCTOBER, THEN AGAIN ON THE 14 OF OCTOBER. AT DEALERSHIP NOW THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO THEM. SCARY SITUATION. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED....THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. MR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2002
VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH FOWARD WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A DEALER, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 23, 2002, crash
WHILE FEET WAS ON BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. RESULTING IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURIES.*AK