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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2002
WE FIRST STARTED TO NOTICE A DEEP, LOUD RUMBLE WHEN BRAKING...SOUNDS LIKE HITTING A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT MY SISTER ASKED, "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?" I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR BUT HAVE BEEN MADE TO TAKE IT IN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON 8 TO 10 OCCASIONS...EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN -THEY INSPECT AND TELL ME MY BRAKES ARE DUSTY OR GLAZED AND OR NEED ADJUSTING. ONE DEALERSHIP EVEN REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYTEM IN AUGUST 2001- IN DECEMBER 2001 - ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO WAY THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BECAUSE MY BRAKES WERE VERY WORN AND GLAZED/DUSTED OVER AGAIN OR THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF PROBLEM CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR AT AN AMAZINGLY FAST RATE!!!!!!!!! I HAVE WRITTEN A 7 PAGE LETTER -SENT COPIES OF SERVICE BILLS - REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE -BEEN FRUSTRATED WITH SERVICE-WASTED MANY HOURS FROM WORK, AND HOME IN DEALING WITH DEALERSHIPS AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND NEIGHTER WILL ADMIT THAT THEY EITHER CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM OR THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. WE HAVE HAD THE RUN AROUND FOR 2.5 YEARS....THE PROBLEM GETS FIXED TEMPORARILY AND THEN COMES RIGHT BACK. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA IS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO LET THEM TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT MY BRAKES AND GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE TO FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. MY LAST VISIT FOR REPAIRS WAS AROUND MAY ? 2002 - THE BRAKES ARE ONCE AGAIN STARTING TO MAKE A DEEP, LOUD RUMBLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES -SOUNDS TO BE IN THE REAR END OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE NOISE IS NOT ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN USING THE BRAKES.- SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS MORE IN DAMP WEATHER. ALSO, ONCE THE RUMBLE GETS REESTABLISHED...IT BECOME VERY LOUD, VERY OBVIOUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!.*AK
Visibility, Jul 31, 2002
SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WARNING WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Air bags, Jul 29, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT A 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Tires, Jul 18, 2002
CONSUMER WROTE REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE RECALLED FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA02 TIRE SIZE P205/55R16, DOT # W2T2VF3319. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET RECALL REPAIRS, THERE WAS A BLOWOUT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. FIRESTONE INFORMED NHTSA THAT THEY HAD REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES HE PURCHASED FOR HIS VEHICLE. *TT
Air bags, Jun 4, 2002, crash
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Tires, May 31, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH SIDEWALL STARTED TO CRACK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. FIREHAWK, DOTW2T2VF3319, SIZE UNKNOWN.*AK CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE HOWEVER EACH ATTEMPT TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED FAILED, STATING THAT TIRES WERE NOT IN STOCK. FINALLY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. *TT *YH
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2002
PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY NEW INFO ON MY CAR BEFORE ITS TOO LATE THANKS!!!!!!!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Tires, May 27, 2002
ALL 4 TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPARATION AFTER 18MONTHS/33000 MILES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 21, 2002
BRAKES REPAIRED 4 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY HAVE FAILED. "BRAKES NEEDING READJUSTMENT". ONE OF THE MECHANICS STATED THEY DO NO WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK
Power train, Sep 6, 2001
TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND POWER.
Tires, Wheels, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND FOUND IT WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT, VEHICLE WENT TO THE RIGHT, AND THEN HIT A DRAINAGE SYSTEM CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AND IS WONDERING IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIM, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P205/55R16, CLAIM 32-V323-692. *SLC
Tires, Wheels, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND FOUND IT WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT, VEHICLE WENT TO THE RIGHT, AND THEN HIT A DRAINAGE SYSTEM CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AND IS WONDERING IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIM, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P205/55R16, CLAIM 32-V323-692. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 23, 2001, crash
CAR AUTOMATICALLY RAPIDLY ACCELERATES WHEN STOPPED. THE ANTI-LOCK OFF LIGHT APPEARED. THIS RAPID ACCELERATION HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I AM 50 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. NOW I HAVE REAR ENDED TWO PEOPLE WHEN I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR STOPPED WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN A DRIVE THROUGH MCDONALD'S. THE SECOND I WAS STOPPED 2-4 FEET BEHIND A PICK UP TRUCK AT A LIGHT AND MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT HIM. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TO STOP IT AFTER I HIT HIM. THE THIRD TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS THE FIRST ONE IN LINE AT AN INTERSECTION. I DID NOT HIT ANYONE, BUT HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR IT TO COME BACK TO A COMPLETE START. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR ON TWO OCCASIONS AND IT DID NOT MALFUNCTION WHEN THEY HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENTRA MODEL. I NOW AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING MY CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK WHENEVER I STOP. I AM GOING TO WRITE TO THE PRESIDENT OF NISSAN. THIS IS MY THIRD ALTIMA AND I LOVE MY CAR I AM JUST PETRIFIED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT MAY BE WHEN I AM DROPPING MY SON OFF AT SCHOOL.*AK
Air bags, Aug 20, 2001, crash
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Power train, Aug 7, 2001
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Tires, Aug 7, 2001
CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FIRESTONE IN REFERENCE TO A POSSIBLE DEFECT WITH HIS TIRES, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES PER THE LETTER THAT WAS RECEIVED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE STATING THAT THE TIRE SIZE WHICH CONSUMER OWNED WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL, CONSUMER STATES THE SIZE IS LISTED AS APART OF THE RECALL, AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE TIRES/W2 T2 VF3 130)*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 AT SPEED OF 75 MPH VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER LOCATION WHEREBY SERVICE DEPT. INDICATED THE OVERHEATING WAS CAUSED BY DRIVING IN FLOODED CONDITION WHEN IN TRUE FACT THERE WAS NOT MORE THAN 1" OF WATER ON THE HIGHWAY THAT AFTERNOON. SERVICE DEPT. ANALYSIS WAS DIAGONISED AS DRIVING IN FLOODED CONDITIONS HENCE CAUSING AT 75 MPH THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE TO BE PUSHED BACK OVER 3-4" TOWARDS THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE PLASTIC FAN BLADE TO PENETRATE THE RADIATOIR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS DASSUMPTION BY THE SERVICE TECHNICANS MAKES NO LOGICAL SENSE AS THE FORCES REQUIRED TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT LOGICAL. THE FAN BLADE SITS AT LEAST 3-4" BEHIND THE RADIATOR AND WOULD REQUIRE GREAT FORCES TO MOVE IT FORWARD IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO SUSTAIN SUCH AN INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC BLADE. DEALER AND NISSAN REFUSES TO ACCEPT WARRANTY AND AS SUCH I HAVE HAD TO INVOLVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Jul 9, 2001
I STARTED TO BRAKE MY VEHICLE WELL BEFORE A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN THE LINE OF TRAFFIC, I WAS BRAKING FIRMLY BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AT THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY VEHICLE KEPT BUMPING A BMW IN FRONT OF ME. I BEGAN HONKING MY HORN FOR THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT SHE DID NOT. WITH MY FOOT CONSTANTLY ON THE BRAKE, I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK. WHEN I DID THAT, IT ACCELERATED MORE. A MAN IN A TRUCK IN THE NEXT LANE SAW THAT I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BRAKING, SO HE SHOUTED TAHT I SHOULD TURN OFF MY IGNITION. I DID. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE DRIVER OF THE BMW APPROACHED MY CAR ASKING WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MAN IN THE TRUCK VERIFIED TO HER THAT I WAS BRAKING, BUT COULDN'T STOP MY VEHICLE FROM BUMPING HER. WE EXCHANGED INFORMATION. I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO MY SERVICE MECHANIC NEARBY. HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND A DTS WAS ALSO CALLED TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. THE ALSO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID FIX MY AIR CONDITIONER. IT WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE RUG WAS COMPLETELY SOAKED. THE ALSO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED (DELIVERED BY DEALERSHIP) IN FRONT OF MY HOME BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ABOUT THESE EPISODES CALLED "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION". I ALSO SEE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THAT SUGGEST THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN OTHER ALTIMA'S, AS WELL AS OTHER MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. I REFUSE TO BECOME A FATALITY STATISTIC BY TAKING THE CHANCE OF DRIVING MY CAR AND HAVING THIS UNPREDICTABLE EVENT OCCUR AGAIN. NOR DO I WANT TO HURT ANYONE ELSE. I WANT NISSAN TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE OTHER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET IN RELATION TO "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION". I AM QUIT CONCERNED THAT THE NHTSA IS NOT INVESTIGATING THESE COMPLAINTS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jul 8, 2001
THIS VEHICLE MAY HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM. WHEN I BACK THE CAR, I WAS BRAKING THE CAR. HOWEVER THE ENGINE OUPUTS TOO MUCH POWER AND IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. ALSO ANOTHER TIME, I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE CAR AS THE ENGINE OUTPUT TOO MUCH POWER WHILE BRAKING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2001
I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES BECAUSE THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND FEEL SOFT. EACH TIME THEY SAY IT IS DUST ON THE BRAKES AND CLEAN THEM. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS THE PROBLEM IS BACK
Vehicle speed control, May 18, 2001
I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE IDLE BECOMES ERRATIC AT TIMES, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START IT THE IDLE WILL GO UP AND DOWN FROM 1000 TO 2100 CONTINUOUSLY. MOST OF THE TIME THE IDLE REMAINS HIGH WHEN YOU PUSH IN THE CLUTCH AROUND 1600RPM UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. OTHER TIME THE IDLE GOES VERY LOW NEAR 400 RPM ALMOST TO A STALL CONDITION. NISSAN SAYS ITS NORMAL. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME COMPLAINT NOT ONLY WITH THE ALTIMA BUT WITH THE NISSAN FRONTIER 2.4L WITH MANUAL AS WELL (SAME ENGINE AS THE ALTIMA).*AK
Tires, May 11, 2001
THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER RECALL REPAIR 01V-065 WAS PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02, P205/R1689H). NLM
Tires, May 2, 2001
ON 4/29/01 I NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SLICE IN MY TIRE I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE ALTIMA DEALER WHO STATED I HAD TO BRING MY CAR TO A PLACE THAT SELLS GENERAL BRAND TIRES WHEN I DID THAT I TOOK IT TO A SEARS THEY TOOK THE WHEEL OFF AND STATED TO ME THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE UPON CHECKING THE REST OF MY TIRES THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, THEY ALSO TOLD ME TO WATCH THE BACK 2 TIRES BECAUSE THEY CAME FROM THE SAME LOT OF TIRES, THEY CALLED GENERAL TIRE WHO STATED I WILL HAVE TO PAY 15 DOLLARS A TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT OF 2 TIRES, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE REAR 2 TIRES, I ALSO NOTIFIED THE NISSAN DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND TALKED TO JAMIE IN SERVICE WHO MORE OR LESS LAUGHED AND SAID OH REALLY THATS TERRIBLE, I ALSO CALLED THE 1-800-NISSAN-1 NUMBER, THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS GENERAL TIRES PROBLEM AND NOT THEIRS??? SO NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 5 DAYS FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES AND I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH ONE SPARE TIRE (DONUT) AND ONE BAD TIRE UNTIL THE REPLACEMENTS COME IN.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ACUN2N7329 TIRESIZE: P205/6OR15)
Tires, Apr 30, 2001
THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN UNRAVELING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 01V-065, THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA). NLM
Tires, Apr 17, 2001
FAULTY FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRES CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE THE RECALLED TIRES FROM FIRESTONE AND THERE WAS ALSO SOME STEERING DAMAGE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMT. *JB