2001 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 168 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 23 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 4 people died.
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
168 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Structure, Feb 14, 2003
TRUNK LID NOT SEALING, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO TRUCK AND COLLECT IN SPARE TIRE WELL
Suspension, Dec 17, 2002
SWAY BAR BUSHING FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BUSHING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Steering, Dec 17, 2002
WHEN MAKING A TURN, STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP, BUT THE NOISE STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Visibility, Dec 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AT DIFFERENT TIMES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE CABLE. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER CAN BE TRAPPED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Suspension, Dec 3, 2002
CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY IN THE REAR AND MAKE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE REAR SWAY BAR WAS DISJOINTED.TS SCC *JB
Tires, Nov 25, 2002
I AM THE ORGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. IN THE 2YRS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE BROUGHT 6 NEW TIRES. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WEAR. ON 11/23 I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. THERE WAS A 9 INCH RIP BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL ON EACH SIDE OF THE TIRE. MY MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE WEAR OF THE TIRE WITH THE 01 ALTIMA THE TIRE PRESSURE IS 32. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. DT
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2002
WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BOOM, CONSUMER STATED SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD, BATTERY HAD EXPLODED, DENTED THE HOOD OF VEHICLE AND BATTERY ACID WAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED BATTERY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 2002
THERE IS A PATTERN OF FAILURES FOR ALL NISSAN VEHICLES 1998 THRU 2001 (DID NOT SEARCH NHTSA DATABASE FOR ANYTHING EARLIER). THIS FAILURE INVOLVES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATING USUALLY WHEN THE DRIVER IS EITHER SLOWING DOWN OR BRAKING. IN OUR CASE, WE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP OUR FORWARD MOTION. THE DATABASE SUMMARIES SHOW THE DEALER RESPONSE IS ALWAYS THE SAME - WE CAN'T REPLICATE, THEREFORE WE CAN'T FIX. ADDITIONALLY, OUR DEALER CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY SINCE THE REPORTS IN YOUR DATABASE SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE REPEATED TOLD NISSAN OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND FORCE NISSAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, DETERMINE ITS CAUSE AND RECALL THE VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC ACROSS ALL NISSAN MODELS (CARS, TRUCKS, SUVS, VANS) AND ACROSS A NUMBER OF MODEL YEARS (1998-2001). THIS PROBLEM COULD AFFECT MILLIONS OF CARS. ODI ID NUMBERS SOME OF THE RELATED PROBLEMS: 746324, 875795, 898284, 8001581, 741992, 854025, 566322, 56065, 758859, 8003876, 893370, 896545, 890278, 725165, 716994, 717202, 851041, 855272, 856147, 878223, 724641, 738694, 8019220, 857221, 863072, 885430, 531657, 558376, 737832, 842113, 553051, 725198, 836694, 855561, 829460, 853157, 785598, 533896. THANK YOU. DT
Suspension, Oct 25, 2002
METALLIC RATTLEING SOUND FROM SUSPENSION WHEN CROSSING OVER BUMPS OR LANE DIVIDER DOTS. SIMILIAR TO ODI #746528 & #759328. DT
Structure, Oct 22, 2002
IN RELATION TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 81V136000 THE RUST WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 09/28/02. ALL COMPONENTS ON THE UNDERBODY HAS RUSTED. DT
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2002
WHILE IN MOTION, THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE SERVICE MEN COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL WERE LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SERVICE TEAM. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THIS TIME CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE DOES SHUT DOWN. THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO GET TO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JG
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2002
THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE ECM AND REPLACED THE PART. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR CONTINUES TO SHUTDOWN AND HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2002
ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL. CAR DROVE ONTO CURVE. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC CAN DETECT NO ERROR CODES. THE DEALER INSISTS THAT IT IS THE ECM WITH NO APPARENT PROOF. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 8, 2002
VEHICLE IS LOSING OIL BUT SHOWS NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE. PRESENTLY, IT IS UNKNOWN WHERE OIL IS FLOWING TO DUE TO OIL GAUGE READING BELOW THE FULL MARK. WHILE IDLING IN PARK VEHICLE CUTS OFF, WHEN RESTARTED IT MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND CUT OFF AGAIN. VEHICLE HAD 3 OIL CHANGES SINCE DECEMBER 2001. SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT PISTON RINGS WERE PUT ON TOO TIGHTLY. CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR 500 MILES TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT BY ITSELF.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED VEHICLE BURNS FUEL QUICKLY.*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 24, 2002, crash
SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN CRASH. ALSO, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SPEED WAS BELOW 35, BUT OTHER VEHICLE'S SPEED WAS ALSO BELOW 35 AND IT'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. OTHER VEHICLE WAS 95 NISSAN MAXIMA. CALL OR EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANKS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2002
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Suspension, Mar 13, 2002
MY CAR HAS A DEFECT WITH ITS SUSPENSION BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR FOR SERVICE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR REPAIRS. IT MAKES A LOUD CRUNCHING,RATTLING AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS ON THE ROAD. INFACT IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN ALL IT TOTALS 14 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. AS OF NOW THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS AFTER THE DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROS PARTS. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE EXISTING PROBLEM BUT CANNOT FIX IT.*AK
Suspension, Mar 11, 2002
THE SWAY BAR BUSHING HAS BEEN REPLACED "FIXED" 4 TIMES ALREADY AND IT IS CURRENTLY BROKEN AGAIN. IT HAPPENED WHILE ENTERING THE DEALERSHIP DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT SIMPLY HAS PUT ME OUT! THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I DRIVE MOSTLY ALL HIGHWAY MILES WITH NO BUMPS OR POT HOLES FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Feb 20, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 65 TO 75MPH, VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING TO THE LEFT, CONSUMER CORRECTED, BUT VEHICLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER 1 1/2 TIMES, THE TIE ROD HAD SNAPPED, STRUT ASSEMBLY BROKE, AND CV JOINT SEPARATED, HOUSING BROKE FROM METAL, ROOF CAVED IN, TRUNK SMASHED INTO, AND PUSHED REAR SEAT INWARD KILLING 3 PASSENGERS, FIRE DEPARTMENT CUT 5 PASSENGERS OUT, 2 WERE INJURED, THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE KEPT BUCKLING AND COLLAPSING INWARD. *JG *AK *YH
Power train, Feb 20, 2002
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD STICK IN THE PARK POSITION, MECHANIC REPLACED SHIFTER AND STATED THAT LIQUID OR JUICE CAUSED INTERLOCK RELEASE TO STICK, CONSUMER INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FAULTY SOLENOID. *TT
Seat belts, Jan 28, 2002
FRONT TWO SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING AT ALL. ONCE THEY ARE PULLED OUT THEY WILL STAY OUT, AND NOT TIGHTEN UP. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Power train, Jan 17, 2002
AT 70MPH CAR GIVES A BIG JOLT AND WITH NO WARNING, TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM FOURTH GEAR, ENGINE REVS TO 6500 RPM (ENGINE IN RED LINE AT 6300), CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO RIGHT. ANOTHER HEAVY JOLT, AND ENGINE REVS DROP TO NORMAL AND TRANSMISSION GOES BACK TO FOURTH GEAR.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2002, crash
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FULL FRONTAL CRASH WHEN IT BROADSIDED ANOTHER CAR CROSSING HIS LANE OF TRAFFIC, TRAVELING 15 TO 25 MPH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. DRIVER RECEIVED HEAD/ NECK, AND BACK INJURIES; AND PERSON IN FRONT PASSENGER POSITION RECEIVED NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 4, 2002
ON THREE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND DEACCELRATE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH. VEHICLE AT DEALER SHOP. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK